The Erie Bureau of Police dealt with challenges throughout 2020.
Some were new, like keeping a law enforcement agency running and continuing to serve the public as COVID-19 posed a threat to the officers and the people they encountered.
Others were familiar, like a new spike in gun violence that approached levels not seen in the city in several years.
One was unexpected, as a night of violence that erupted following a peaceful protest in the city s downtown in late May led to allegations of brutality against members of the community and against the police.
The year 2020 featured a lot of change and a lot of adversity, Police Chief Dan Spizarny said in a recent wide-ranging interview that touched on a number of notable events.
2020 Monolithic in Its Challenge But Erie demonstrates resourcefulness, resilience to carry on by Matt Swanseger
Nick Warren/DGIM studio
Even before mysterious monoliths began surfacing around the world, life this year had felt alien. But despite historic challenges and disruptions to our status quo, Erieites were among the human lifeforms who found ways to adapt and persevere during what some may call 2020: A Suck Odyssey.
So.what y all wearing when the aliens get here? Surely you ve heard about all the monoliths popping up lately the tall, shiny columns shaped like Toblerone bars that have been spotted in Utah, Romania, California, and Texas? Well, that seems to me like a sign they ll be here any day now, so at the very least we d better be wearing a smile and can-do attitude because after this latest round of shutdowns, many of us may very well be looking at our next employers.