Eugene Durante is a contributing writer at Highbrow Magazine. He is a Police Officer and former Welfare Fraud Investigator. Born in Brooklyn, Durante is a fourth-generation resident of Coney Island. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice. He is an avid poker player and frequently writes about topics related to New York.

Q & A With Eugene Durante:

What inspired you to become a writer?

The inspiration came from people reading my blog and hearing me tell stories at local watering holes.  Many encouraged  me to write for a broader audience, though I’m a much better storyteller.  

Who are a few of your favorite authors/photographers/artists/journalists? 

I’m a fan of Hunter S. Thompson and  Charles Bukowski,   but also like heavier reading like Dostoyevsky.

What’s the worst job/assignment  you’ve ever had?

My fulltime profession is a Police Officer, so the worst experience had to be working through September 11th.

Which is your favorite city in the U.S.?

I’ve travelled the world and my choice is New York City by a long shot. I was born here and I will die here. I do have a fondness for Lake Tahoe and Key West.

What’s your all-time favorite film?

Probably a tie between Jaws and The Blues Brothers. The Usual Suspects is second.

Which newspapers/magazines/websites do you read regularly?

 I enjoy reading Rolling Stone. They’ve always featured great non-music stories and investigative journalism.

Would you rather become the next editor-in-chief of the New Yorker or replace Jon Stewart as host of the “Daily Show”?

Jon Stewart. I’m much better in front of an audience.

What are your favorite “highbrow” pastimes?

Playing poker with rich fools. Fishing. Riding my bicycle on the Coney Island boardwalk.

Read a few articles by Durante:

An NYPD Officer Analyzes the ‘Stop and Frisk’ Debate

Rating New York’s Upper Crusts

How Atlantic City Became America’s Playground