Mamie Brenda Jordan oral history interview, 2021 August 27
Description
WARNING This interview includes an eyewitness account of 9/11, the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, and may be emotionally disturbing for some people. Brenda Jordan, Security Officer for Atkins Library at UNC Charlotte, who retired from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in 2007 after twenty years of service, discusses her life, her work as a police officer, and her personal experiences and reflections on the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 (9/11). [All times approximate]. Introduction [00:00]. Early life growing up in Jamaica, Queens, New York, becoming a mother at age sixteen, attending Ida B. Wells High School and Queensborough Community College, working for the US Postal Service, joining the The New York City Housing Authority Police Department (later named NYPD Housing Bureau), and her motivations for choosing a career in law enforcement [01:13]. Detailed description of her work as a housing police officer; training for this work; vertical patrol of multi story housing; promotions over time, to a training officer position, then to the narcotics enforcement unit, and then to the alcohol, tobacco, and firearms unit [07:00]. Working in the district attorney's office under Bridget G. Bennan, Special Narcotics Prosecutor (SNP) for the City of New York after being in a car accident while on duty [13:30]. Reflection on the work of Judge Laura E. Ward, Ward's drug interdiction efforts and emphasis on rehabilitation for people arrested on drug related charges [16:30]. Disturbing incident in the drug enforcement task force that prompted Ms. Jordan to retire at the request of her oldest son, who was also in the NYPD [20:26]. Detailed account of Ms. Jordan's experiences on 9/11, 2001, including her witnessing both planes as they hit the twin towers of the World Trade Center as she was in transit to work, gathering with her colleagues, heading down to the site of the World Trade Center to assist with rescue, working at Ground Zero into the early hours of the morning, and the outpouring of gratitude towards the police that she experienced from crowds gathered along the streets of New York [28:10]. Discussion of the lack of protective gear on the day of the 9/11 attack, the increasing provision of masks and medical support on the subsequent days, and locations near Ground Zero that were set up for supporting the rescue and clean up operations [37:00]. Reflection on commemorating the anniversary of 9/11, the loss of life resulting from working in toxic conditions that played out over time, and the lasting effects that 9/11 has had from a physical and an emotional perspective [41:48]. Description of the work of cadaver dogs, the smell of the disaster site, the resilience and diversity of American people supporting the rescue efforts [50:58]. Description of the removal of debris by bucket, arrival of steel workers with more efficient tools on the second day of rescue and clean up, depression felt by responders, considerations about the dangers of building high-rise structures which can entrap occupants [53:30]. Discussion of personal and more general societal change that Ms. Jordan has experienced since 9/11, heightened vigilance and anticipation for dangerous incidents [1:02:16]. Discussion of the NYPD 10-13 Club of Charlotte, NC (a chapter of the National NYCPD 10-13 organization); composition of the group which has over 400 former New York City police who have moved to the Charlotte area; discussion of the purpose of the group that meets monthly for mutual support, to raise money for veterans and children, to keep abreast of medical information, and to disseminate information about job opportunities [1:10:00]. Discussion of Charlotte schools and Ms. Jordan's experiences as a parent [1:13:30]. Further discussion of Ms. Jordan's role and experiences in the NYPD 10-13 Club as a member of the honor guard, honoring officers that have fallen, the meaning of the name 10-13 (named for the alert message used by New York City police when help is needed), police officers adopting children, Ms. Jordan's experience taking in foster children and adopting children, volunteering [1:15:44]. Origins of 10-13 Club, Ms. Jordan's role as a 'host' in the group, relationship of the group to the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 9, Ms. Jordan's involvement with the FOP, comparison and contrast between police unions and the FOP [1:23:30]. Concluding sentiments about 9/11 [1:32:09].