Positive Story
Good police stories seem few and far between in these troubled times, but here's an Officer attempting to make a difference in one of the rougher neighborhoods around town:
- The
corner lot at Jackson and Christiana is lined with enormous elephant
ears, banana leaf trees and prolific coleus. Sweet potato vines cascade
out and down.
Deronis Cooper started this magical garden with just a few containers to brighten up the landscaping around his new condo complex. "I would go around and take photos of planters that I liked and wanted to somehow duplicate," he said.
And duplicate he did. Over the last 16 years he has hand-watered thousands of plants in his yard. He calls himself "Grandma's Gardener," as he was by his grandmother's side, tending to her garden as a teen. "I loved my grandmother a lot, we always hung out and did stuff, so what it turned into was grandma saying I need you to help me in my garden," he recalled.
Now an adult and a Chicago police officer, gardening has become his outlet.
We saw this garden once or twice during deployments and it certainly catches your eye in regards to the rest of the area, an oasis in a desert, and we had no idea it was one of our own.
Labels: good news
posted by SCC at 12:03 AM
19 Comments:
What a wonderful display that this Officer has created. Can you imagine how much work and time he has put into this? He is amazing and talented. If it was in my power I would appoint him to be the Superintendent of the Chicago Park District. No matter what neighborhood you live in in Chicago all of the parks look run down. The park near me has that that water shower running 24 hours a day but they won’t water the grass so it stays brown. The parks are for the patronage workers who greet you on Nov 5th and hand you the palm card for Kackling Kamala and Tampon Tim. Then you won’t see them until the next election.
Keep up the good work Mr Cooper
Years ago, while processing a crime scene in Roseland, I noticed the one perfect lawn on the block. An old M/1 came out of the house and told us he really appreciated what we were doing since all of the old people in the block were basically captive in their own homes since there was so much crime in the area. We struck up a conversation about his lawn and he also pointed out the roses he was growing under the front window. He then told us that he was growing roses and then planting them, free of charge, on the block, for all of his neighbors. He then gave us a history lesson and said the reason the neighborhood was called Roseland was because after the contractors completed building a home, they would plant roses in the front. I then asked if any asshole neighborhood kids ever destroyed his roses, and he said, of course some did, but that wasn’t going to stop him. He called what he was doing “Roses for Roseland” . Not sure if it ever took off. Not even sure if he’s still alive. What he was doing showed that there are good people that support the police even in areas where it doesn’t seem like there are
Taking care of anything living, a dog, plant, cat says more about the person than anything else possibly could. Plants are a wonderful hobby, nice job.
The VAST majority of black and brown citizens in Chicago are good, hard working people. It’s sad the minority of thugs and criminals make life difficult for them. And yet who do the powers that be cater to, at the expense of the rest of us that do it right?
Why are the rights of criminals trumping the rights of law abiding citizens?
Thank you for this beautiful story. Does anyone remember CBS Chicago’s Harry Portefield ‘s “Someone You Should Know?”. This would be a great SYSK story. We have good people still in our city.
Jr
Good on you officer, good on your grandmother
Sad only 3 comments on a positive story!
years ago (90's) i was a sgt in 007 71st i believe just east of damen north side of street white house not a blade of grass out of line fresh paint and flowers old black man really kept his house up and he loved the Police.always made a point to "collect paper" and sign reports in front of his house.good old man i'm sure long gone
Urban farming has been a success everywhere is has been tried. The growing season has a lot to do with its success. But you can grow potatoes just about everywhere. There are even urban fish farms were it can be done that grow Tilapia a large fast growing African version of a panfish like a Bluegill. There is something so satisfying about growing your own food.
Good job Coop!!
I'm sure his grandmas proud of him....I am !
We Need more positive
You can also view his beautiful display on google maps at that location. Reminds me of the Chicago Botanical Gardens in Glencoe.
He is a mayor’s detail guy and I can add some other things that are unflattering but won’t to keep you all feeling warm and fuzzy. Enough said. Grandma’s Hand by Bill Withers. Give it a play.
I wish I knew him!
Great to hear a good Police Story!
Retired, 30+
We need more stories like this
God bless you Cooper . This almost 30 year veteran loves you and your great work!
Beautiful story. LEOs do amazing work that's often never discussed. The garden must be stunning. Gob bless this man and others like him.
Traded his driving gloves for gardening gloves
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