Richard AllenW 17th St between 10th Ave and 9th AveHeart Two · Location 106 · Drawn September 2001123Select a number to open a drawing state.The published 2006 collage is shown above. The numbered links open archival images. Use your browser’s Back button to return here.PhotographsDownload photograph 1Download photograph 2Download photograph 3Download photograph 4Download photograph 5Download photograph 6Video podcast0:00This drawing is located near the corner of 10th Avenue and West 17th Street.0:06It's on 17th Street and facing north.0:10The wall in the photographs originally was covered with a lot of graffiti,0:14and they have miraculously cleaned it up.0:17You know you're standing in front of the wall if you have a small tree to your back,0:22and there's a little tiny garden area with a waist-high metal fence to your left.0:28This is Richard Allen.0:30He was drawn in September of 2009. His drawing was counting 10 people.0:37While I was drawing Richard Allen, something really nice happened.0:40It came in the form of a smile and a wave from a police officer that had pulled up to a red light right next to my drawing.0:46It was the most genuine smile and it moved me.0:49This simple approval meant a lot.0:52There is a romantic air about the firefighters and police officers right now.0:56It is a refreshing period of belief in our authorities.1:00Stories on the news are filled with neighborhoods embracing and respecting their people in uniform,1:03and the word hero is commonplace.1:06I can only hope that this time will continue to bring about good and bring the best out of everyone.1:11Richard Dennis Allen was a lifeguard, a substitute teacher,1:15and a firefighter for Ladder 15 at South Street Seaport.1:19About as many jobs, Newsday reported that his mother, Gail, said,1:23he felt he could do all three.1:25His life affected more people than I believed.1:28believed the letters I got told me he was special to them. Roughly 2,000 people attended the 31-year-old's memorial service in Bell Harbor.← Location 105Heart Two · Location 106Location 107 →
