NYCPD Bee Cop

by Tonybees
(Queens NY)

Well, where do I begin, most of the fellow brother and sister beekeepers have seen or heard of me?

Having handled hundreds of swarms for the Dept. I can honestly tell you NO job is routine. In the 17.5 years of doing this with the Dept. who I might add, are sincerely supportive of the safe, humane removal and relocation of these beautiful but endangered animals.

I think the funniest had to be the most recent swarm, Little Italy on the mailbox, (that was me with the black Harley Davidson bandanna,) after locating the queen and removing her into my swarm box, I began to scoop the swarm gently into my box. There was another beginner but very enthusiastic beekeeper there from th NYC Beekeepers Assoc. (Andrew Cote President great guy, knowledgeable and sorry Andrew, he's a blast to work with! A riot!!!!!) anyhow, I agreed with the member that we would split the swarm, over 4lbs but I needed the queen. After all was done, I vacuumed up about 30-50 stragglers.

As I was loading up my truck, a "Resident" of Little Italy approached me, in the heaviest "Joe Pessci", Robert De Niro, Michael Corleone (get my drift) accent and asked, "Excuse me Offisa, what kind of bees ya got there?" having flashbacks to Goodfellas, The Godfather, Etc............, and seeing my life flash in front of me, I answered with as straight a face I could keep, mind you, telling the truth, "Well sir, I answered, believe it or not, they are Italian", the next thing I heard "You think you're funny or what?" made me wonder, living will, executor, attorney, all in order?

I had to explain (thank god for Blackberry) to him the different strains/stocks of bees. He was grateful for the lesson at the end, and I was grateful to him for.....bee-lieving me.

Hi Anthony

Great Story and pictures thank you. I'd be interested to hear what effect the relaxation of the ban on beekeeping has had on you. I expect since beekeeping is now allowed, there will be more hives and more swarms - which is great for everyone I think.

The Bee Guy