NYPD Detective on Murder, Mobsters & Old New York | Jason Allison

Jason Allison, a retired NYPD detective and author of the new novel "The Killing Yards," joined the podcast to discuss his 20-year career in law enforcement, the inspiration behind his book, and the stark realities of policing in a bygone era of New York City.

From Club Kid to Cop: A Different Perspective on the 90s

Allison's journey into law enforcement began in 1998, a path he describes as almost accidental. "I became a cop in 1998," he recounted, explaining that before that, he was a "club kid." This personal history gave him a unique perspective on the 1990s, an era often viewed nostalgically. "I grew up in the Bronx," Allison stated, painting a picture of a city far grittier than many remember. He described his childhood in Kingsbridge, a neighborhood he remembers fondly, but also highlighted the stark realities of growing up in the Bronx during the 80s and 90s.

Allison's novel, "The Killing Yards," is a noir detective story set in the 1990s, involving the police, the 90s club scene, the Russian mafia, and the Israeli mafia. He intentionally avoided extensive research for the book, echoing advice from author Harlan Coben: "The more research you do, the more you want to put it in the book." Allison believes that too much detail can overwhelm readers, preferring to draw from his own experiences.