NYC cop-turned-ghostbuster tells all about ‘evil’ spirit at NYPD precinct: ‘Didn’t know if I was gonna come out alive’

**It’s NYPD-boo! How a Cop-Turned-Demonologist Cleared a Haunted Harlem Precinct**

Chris DeFlorio, a former NYPD officer turned full-time demonologist, is sharing for the first time how he rid his old precinct—the 32nd Precinct in Harlem—of a malevolent spirit that had been tormenting officers for years.

DeFlorio, 54, left the police force in 2021 and has since been battling the supernatural alongside his wife, Harmony. But one of his final missions while still in uniform resembled a scene straight out of *Ghostbusters*.

It all began when a rookie officer working the midnight shift reported a terrifying encounter inside the precinct’s fourth-floor bunk room.

“The officer had just finished his shift and instead of going home, he decided to take a break upstairs,” DeFlorio recalled. “He was sleeping in the bunk room when he felt something walking behind him. He jumped up, looked around, but no one was there.”

Trying to shake off the feeling, the officer went back to sleep—only to be gripped moments later.

“Something was holding him down and bouncing on the couch he was lying on,” said DeFlorio, who devoted 20 years to the NYPD. “He escaped, hit the lights, and still didn’t see anyone. But as he looked toward the door, he saw the shadow of a person walking out.”

The chilling encounter, which took place on May 8, 2020, quickly spread through the station house. Byron Pena, a retired officer with his own eerie experiences in the precinct, said he felt relieved that action would finally be taken against the spirit.

“After hearing the story, I stopped the officer in the stairwell to ask what happened,” Pena, 58, told The Post. “Years ago, during the early 2000s blackout, I slept in that dorm room upstairs and couldn’t sleep all night. I kept feeling uneasy—I kept looking at the door and window. There was just this unexplainable presence.”

Petrified by that feeling, Pena never set foot in the bunk room again during his 28 years at the precinct.

Then, in the early hours of May 10, 2020, precinct administrators called on DeFlorio to perform an exorcism.

“When I walked into that bunk room, it was like nothing you can sense with your physical senses,” DeFlorio said. “You just know you’re in the presence of evil. I knew then the officer wasn’t exaggerating—I wasn’t sure if I’d come out alive.”

Armed with holy water, frankincense, and an ancient Catholic exorcism prayer, DeFlorio battled the demon for an hour.

“Afterwards, you could walk into that room and it felt completely different—lighter,” he said. “When fighting something demonic, you have to come in with something good from God.”

Since that night, DeFlorio said the precinct has been peaceful—no more whispers, screams, or howls.

“It was successful,” he confirmed.

*Stay tuned for more stories from those living at the crossroads of law enforcement and the supernatural.*
https://nypost.com/2025/10/25/us-news/nyc-cop-turned-ghostbuster-tells-all-about-evil-spirit-at-nypd-precinct/

4 big ways ‘The X-Files’ distorts government operations

**4 Big Ways ‘The X-Files’ Distorts Government Operations**
*By Vinita Jain | Oct 07, 2025, 10:54 AM*

*What’s the story?*
*The X-Files* is a cult classic, famous for its take on government conspiracies and the paranormal. While the series makes for an entertaining watch, it often takes creative liberties with how real-world government operations work. Here are some of the most notable ways the show misrepresents government conspiracies—and how those portrayals differ from reality.

**1. Overemphasis on Secrecy**
*The X-Files* frequently depicts government operations as being shrouded in extreme secrecy, with very little oversight. While it’s true that some operations are classified, in reality, there are numerous checks and balances designed to ensure accountability. Government actions are typically subject to scrutiny by various oversight bodies—something the show seldom reflects.

**2. Simplified Narratives**
The series tends to reduce complex issues into simple, clear-cut narratives of good versus evil. However, real-world government decisions and actions are influenced by a multitude of factors and involve many stakeholders. This oversimplification can lead viewers to misunderstand the complexities involved in governance and policy-making.

**3. Dramatic Portrayals of Technology**
Technology in *The X-Files* is often portrayed as far more advanced than it actually is or available to the public. While this adds to the suspense and intrigue of the show, it does not accurately represent the current state of technological development or its realistic limitations within government operations.

**4. Focus on Individual Agents**
The series spotlights individual agents who seem to have significant control over major government decisions. In reality, most government actions result from teamwork and collaboration across various departments and officials. This focus on individuals can give the false impression that one person wields more power than is typical within the larger system.

While *The X-Files* remains a beloved show for its storytelling and mysterious themes, it’s important to recognize these creative liberties to better understand how government operations actually function.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/how-the-x-files-misrepresents-government-conspiracies/story

4 big ways ‘The X-Files’ distorts government operations

**4 Big Ways ‘The X-Files’ Distorts Government Operations**
*By Vinita Jain | Oct 07, 2025, 10:54 AM*

*What’s the story?*
_The X-Files_ is a cult classic renowned for its intriguing take on government conspiracies and the paranormal. While the series offers great entertainment, it often takes creative liberties in portraying how real-world government operations actually work. Here are four notable ways the show misrepresents government activities and how these differ from reality.

### 1. Overemphasis on Secrecy
_The X-Files_ frequently depicts government operations as being enveloped in extreme secrecy with little to no oversight. In reality, although some operations are classified, there are numerous checks and balances designed to ensure accountability. Government actions are typically subject to scrutiny by various oversight bodies — a safeguard that the show largely overlooks or underrepresents.

### 2. Simplified Narratives
The series tends to present complex issues as straightforward battles between good and evil. However, government decisions and actions in the real world are rarely so black-and-white. They are influenced by a multitude of factors and involve many stakeholders, making policymaking and governance far more nuanced. This simplification can mislead viewers about the intricacies involved in governmental processes.

### 3. Dramatic Portrayals of Technology
In _The X-Files_, technology is often depicted as far more advanced—or accessible—than it truly is. While such portrayals heighten suspense and intrigue, they do not accurately reflect the current state of technological development or its real-world limitations within government operations.

### 4. Focus on Individual Agents
The show spotlights individual agents who appear to wield significant control over major government decisions. In contrast, actual government actions typically emerge from collaboration and teamwork among numerous departments and officials. This individual-centric focus can give viewers an exaggerated impression of a single person’s power within the complex government system.

While _The X-Files_ remains an iconic and entertaining journey into the mysterious, it’s important to remember that its portrayal of government operations is shaped by storytelling rather than strict realism. Understanding these distinctions helps viewers appreciate the show’s creativity without conflating fiction with fact.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/how-the-x-files-misrepresents-government-conspiracies/story

4 big ways ‘The X-Files’ distorts government operations

**4 Big Ways ‘The X-Files’ Distorts Government Operations**
*By Vinita Jain | Oct 07, 2025, 10:54 AM*

*What’s the story?*

*The X-Files* is a cult classic, famous for its take on government conspiracies and the paranormal. While the series is undeniably entertaining, it often takes creative liberties with how real-world government operations actually work. Here are four notable ways the show misrepresents government conspiracies and how these differ from reality.

**1. Overemphasis on Secrecy**
*The X-Files* frequently depicts government operations as wrapped in extreme secrecy with minimal oversight. In truth, although some operations are classified, government activities are subject to numerous checks and balances to ensure accountability. Oversight bodies regularly scrutinize government actions—an element largely missing from the show’s portrayal.

**2. Simplified Narratives**
The series tends to reduce complex issues into clear-cut stories of good versus evil. However, real-world government decisions are influenced by a complex mix of factors and involve many stakeholders. This oversimplification can mislead viewers, obscuring the intricate processes involved in governance and policy-making.

**3. Dramatic Portrayals of Technology**
*The X-Files* often showcases technology that seems far more advanced than what is actually available to the public or government agencies. While these futuristic gadgets enhance suspense, they do not accurately reflect the current state of technological development or the real limitations faced within government operations.

**4. Focus on Individual Agents**
The series centers on individual agents who appear to wield significant control over major government decisions. In reality, government actions are typically the result of teamwork and collaboration among multiple departments and officials. This focus on lone agents can give the mistaken impression that a single person holds more power than is true within the larger system.

While *The X-Files* remains an iconic and gripping show, it’s important to remember that its thrilling narrative often comes at the expense of accurately depicting how government really functions.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/how-the-x-files-misrepresents-government-conspiracies/story