Page 12 - May2021

ThirdVice President’s Report
Lies to ignore and truths to take to heart
Several rumors have been circulating around the the districts, internet and social media indicating that the retro with the City and the contract are just down the street getting ready to be signed. We have been fielding several calls and several emails from our members asking if the rumors are true. On April 11, we addressed this rumor with an email blast and the rumor is simply not true. Any updates on the contract will be announced by President Catanzara through many avenues, including our website, the
president’s weekly YouTube chat, Lodge 7 Magazine, our Facebook page, etc.
It’s troubling that some officers would believe rumors they read on social media, but for anyone who does believe unverified posts, I have a bridge I’d like to sell ya. Clearly, the individuals who perpetuated this trash is challenged intellectually and what they didn’t consider is that it takes us away from officers who re- ally need our help.
Any person who gets pleasure out of creating rumors that affect thousands of our brothers and sisters really does need help. In all seriousness, if anyone needs help, I remind you that EAP is avail- able and please don’t be afraid or ashamed to reach out for help. If you need a big hug, come on down to the FOP and I’ll give you a big bear hug.
All right, enough wasting time with the clown creating the bull- sh$t rumors. The Department has already begun canceling days
off in preparation for trials involving police shootings. It’s going to be a long, hot summer again, just like last year. Start lining up your babysitters, caregivers, dog walkers or anybody else that you might need over the summer. The era of proactive policing has been destroyed by government officials who bend over backward to appease the radicals and their agendas. Do the job you were hired for. Answer your radio calls in a timely and safe manner and turn on your body-worn cameras in a timely manner so that we don’t have to explain to COPA or BIA why the interaction with the citizens of this lovely city was not completely recorded. Always be aware of your surroundings and keep your head on a swivel.
The troubling times we are going through now, not only as a city but as a nation, shall pass. The time we have on this Earth is not guaranteed. Tell the people that mean the most to you that you care about them and that you love them. Call your mom or your dad and just say hello. Make that appointment with your doctor that you’ve been dreading, and keep it. Start checking things off that bucket list that you’ve been thinking about doing — life is too short. Learn a new language, learn to play an instrument, take that trip to that exotic destination you’ve always wanted to go to.
I am going to steal a line from a movie: “Everybody dies, but not everybody lives.” In your final days, when your eyes are dimming and your time is coming to an end, don’t look back on your life and think to yourself about what you should have done. Just do it.
As always, be safe, stay healthy and remember: No lawyer, no statement.
FERNANDO FLORES
12 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ MAY 2021