It was July in New York City.., and things were starting to heat up… Summer in the city can get unbearable, with the intense humidity and rising temperatures only increasing the worst the city had to offer -- it looked dirtier, the smell of garbage and urine invaded even the ritziest neighborhoods.., showing us all, some things just can't be avoided, no matter what your tax bracket -- even that Park ave address… What made things even worse, were the people -- this kind of consistent heat.., brought out the worst in them, too.
And added to this backdrop of a shining city, now wilting like a dying flower -- protestors converged daily on various city and government agencies, to continue to push for change.., only their chants for EQUALITY went unheard. It seems the powers that be, were too busy with their barbeques and long summer vacations -- they couldn't be bothered with the same old cries of, FAIRNESS… This kind of behavior had become the "status-quo" for both sides.., and instead of people coming together to right the wrongs of our past, cure the ills that plagued societies, worldwide. Yes, division between people had been on the rise, everywhere -- but it was on display for the whole world to watch in New York City!
As media outlets fueled the flames, inspiring even more division and hatred to spread through a crumbling city.., many people could not help but compare the ever increasing violence and deterioration of city services, to a time not so long ago -- when the city was on fire… News outlets started running stories to the very similarities of the long forgotten -- 1970's… The only differences being the city was no longer on the verge of bankruptcy.., quite the opposite actually -- there was more money than ever in this town, but it was only for the few… The gap between the "haves" and have nots" had only widened in the last 40 or so years.., and instead of police departments having to invoke lay-offs, as they did in the 1970's, police departments were flush with cash.., and they were now armed like the freakin' military. The city was like a fuse.., just waiting to be lit --
And then it happened...
Two young ladies (18 and 19 years old) were shot and killed in the Bronx (Pelham Bay), while sitting in their car.., by a large caliber handgun… Immediately, people asked if it was terrorism -- 2 young white American women being shot to death right in front of their house, on a steamy summer night -- randomly, brought out the typical accusations of Radical Islamic Terrorism… Mis-remembered "eye-witness" accounts of the shooter yelling out "Allah Akbar" turned out to be nothing more, then that fanning the flames the media had perfected, so well -- but it worked…
Violence against the Muslim community started to spike, just like the oppressive summer heat.., dividing the city even more -- religions, races, classes all clashed on a regular basis and couldn't help but echo those dire times of the 70's… The city was about to explode -- and nobody seemed to care…
And then it happened again.., and again -- and again!
Within the span of two weeks 8 young women, all brunettes.., had been killed -- shot, at seemingly, point blank range, all by a large caliber gun -- a .44 caliber, all from the same weapon. Immediately, the next morning.., the largest NYC local paper put on it's cover, a series of covers they had released in the summer of 1977 -- only this time, we had a COPYCAT!
THE SON OF SAM
The fuse was lit… The Son of Sam, terrorized New York City starting in the summer of !976 and his reign of killing and terror lasted for more than a year… Young women from the 5 boroughs, flooded the local drug stores and beauty shops buying all the blond hair color they could find.., others just opted for blond wigs -- you see, the Son of Sam was targeting BRUNETTES.
Back then, they city was in a frenzy… Each neighborhood taking up patrols to catch this psycho, while many of the drinking establishments (bars, restaurants and clubs) were like ghost towns -- people were afraid, they were very afraid… Anything or anyone entering someones neighborhood was a potential threat -- just because they were different…
And the media ate it up…
After all, one of their favorite pastimes is fear mongering.., and they do it quite well… But many believe, it was the original Son of Sam coverage (not this copycat) that started the sensationalist way crimes like this are reported -- it was an all out tabloid war between the Daily News and The New York Post, all in an effort of one-upmanship.., and selling a shit ton of papers, too.
And now the stage was set for much of the same.., 40 years later… The media had a hard-on the size of Texas, as more battle lines were drawn, with each new killing… And this Copycat was good -- just like the original he taunted the police with weird and cryptic messages.., but unlike the original, he planned on killing many more… Random acts of violence were through the roof.., and even with all the fancy new gadgets the police had acquired since the 1970's, they still seemed helpless. The tension in the city was so thick, you could cut it with a knife…
And then, as if it was written in a script -- a massive blackout hit the city… This was surreal, it was as if the city had been transported back to the summer of 1977.., and the blackout that resulted in 25 hours of complete chaos -- over 1000 fires had been lit.., and the looting and ransacking of lower income neighborhoods was out of hand. And now, 40 years almost to the date, the city braced itself for a long night of rioting…
**But, when people heard about The Copycats latest victims.., ** the last thing anyone expected happened, especially the media… You see, the night before the blackout, a young couple parked on a desolate street in Brooklyn were killed in the same manor as all The Son of Sam killings, but this time it was a man and a woman… And the young white man just happen to be the son chief of the police, just out to get a little alone time with his very pretty black girlfriend…
Minutes before the blackout hit.., a news conference was just about to start detailing the events of this latest attack… The chief of police was a mess, the loss of his only son displayed all over his face.., and then he looked up to see the girls father just as destroyed as he was -- both men literally bought to tears, as reporters start yelling questions… But before either man can gather themselves to speak, they look directly at each other.., and they know they are more connected to each other, at this moment in time, than any two other people -- instead of addressing the press, we all get to witness the best of humanity… What was supposed to be an obligatory handshake between the two grieving fathers, turns into an all out hug, as the tears and cries of pain only a parent that just lost their only child can produce…
And then the blackout hit!
The powder keg that had been lit with the first Copycat murder -- was about to blow… As the father of the beautiful young black woman arrives back in his "lower income" neighborhood, the local street gangs are all gathering on every corner, getting their marching orders for what looks like will be a long night of rioting and even more division…
But what he doesn't know, is that -- even though the news conference had been interrupted by the blackout.., pictures of him and the chief of police hugging as they broke down for the world to see, started to get out -- and immediately went viral… The people and even neighborhoods that were operating off of their own personal generators and were spared the sweltering heat that engulfed the city, quickly spread these images on all of the typical social media sites.., and it was having the same effect on everyone…
Seeing these two men embracing each other, in the worst moment of their lives -- one white, wearing a full-on police uniform, the other a working class black man.., the two huge men reduced to tears -- was like a big smack in the face.., to the whole city. A dose of humanity you couldn't ignore and...
There was a psycho out there killing our sons and daughters.., and back in 1977 he was on his killing rampage for over a year before he was caught. At the rate this Copycat killer was going, too many would die. All those gangs that were gathering on respective corners in their neighborhoods -- were not gearing up for a night of rioting and looting.., they were coordinating with their neighbors, no matter their color, religion, whatever -- they were sick and tired of being afraid. Afraid of this madman, for recreating the horror of a time most had put to rest.., but they were really tired of being afraid of each other.
…and a plan to catch the Copycat was hatched!
Even though the city was experiencing a complete flashback to the 1970's.., times had definitely changed… Back during the 1977 blackout, as the city burned, a few hundred people happened to be dining at Windows of the World restaurant in, what was The World Trade Center.., when the blackout hit they watched, in utter disbelief, whole neighborhoods vanish in the darkness, followed almost immediately by the fires -- hundreds of them… After a moment of fear, they were treated to a full on party, champagne and all -- as the city burned.
But unlike that spontaneous, unexpected soiree back in the 70's… A select few (very select) (and very few) were invited to dine with the stars, high above the chaos --this was the elite, the creme de la creme… But things are not always as they seem -- instead of a night of decadence for the privileged, while the rest of us suffered… They foot the bill for all the food they could pump out of that kitchen, they contacted as many restaurants in town, as they could.., and paid them for the food they had that was sure to go bad -- and then they had it delivered to neighborhoods all over the city… This was not some ham and cheese sandwich, they were handing out -- this was a 4 star meal.
They arranged for giant extravagant block parties, in the poorest parts of town, all with the finest refreshments, games and rides. They had huge generators being shipped in immediately, from all the business contacts their privilege demanded -- people wanted to do them favors.., and they were calling them all in. Just like an earthquake, that first jolt -- everyone, at the same moment, emits the same vibration and it reverberates into the universe… It's a very powerful moment, when a whole city feels the same thing, at the same time. And unlike the blackout of 70's.., it's citizens, from all walks of life, decided NOT to let their city burn -- and catch a killer!
Within hours, the little trail of breadcrumbs they had left for The Copycat.., had led them to believe they knew exactly where he would strike next -- it was the same spot as the last killing back in the 70's. While two young brunette girls sat in their car, as bait -- the whole neighborhood waited to pounce… And when they saw, a pudgy white guy, his right hand hidden by a brown paper bag approaching the car -- they couldn't believe their eyes.., and for a brief moment, they hesitated… But it was just a moment -- he was immediately surrounded, by what looked like hundreds of people, with justice on their minds -- street justice.
And once positive, this was The Copycat -- they tossed him a beating he will remember for the rest of his miserable life.., but before they actually beat him to death, the father of the pretty black girl he killed the night before, stepped in and saved his life. It looked like he was going to kill him, himself -- but he dragged him to the door of the police chief, who son was one of the latest victims… Together, in the midst of a slew of media, they walked this piece of shit imitation copycat killer, through their neighborhood, as people lined the streets cheering… What could have gone down as one of the worst nights in New York City history -- turned into one of its proudest… And even though we might not be as evolved, as many of us would of thought, by now -- we do have our moments!
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