| The following notes are excerpts from the Report of the Chief of Police in the December 31, 1904 City Report:
The police force as now organized consists of a chief of police and five regular officers including the chief; 46 special officers, found to be men of good judgment, temperate habits and unfailing courage, all of which are essential in the makeup of a good officer.
CONCERNING COMPLAINTS:
During the past year complaints have been made that the curfew ordinance was not being strictly enforced. Regarding this, as long as parents allow their children under the required age to attend dances, bazaars, public gatherings etc. that keep them out until a late hour, the police are powerless to do other than to keep them from loitering on the streets. [Sound familiar?]
CONCERNING CRIMINAL ELEMENT:
During the past year the city has been comparatively free from criminals of a desperate character. The city and vicinity have been considerably bothered by organized bands of chicken thieves, one of which was broken up last spring by the arrest and conviction of seven of the eight members. [Still sounds familiar--but not chicken thieves!]
ACCIDENTS AND DISORDERS:
During the past year the city has been comparatively free from accidents and disorders of a serious nature, no cases having occurred that required the interference of the police. [Don't we wish!!]
RECOMMENDATION:
It is suggested that the maintenance of a patrol wagon for the police department would increase the efficiency of the department. It would obviate the necessity of having to carry persons under arrest, who are violent and obscene, through the streets followed by large crowds who naturally hamper the officers in the discharge of their duty. This improvement is not an absolute necessity, but its inception would give the public a quicker and altogether more satisfactory service. [Wonder if they got the wagon!!]
INVENTORY OF POLICE PROPERTY:
1 roll top desk, 1 leather bottom desk chair, 6 leather bottom office chairs, 1 long center table, 1 cane bottom office chair, 1 waste paper basket, 3 cuspidors, 1 floor brush. This property is in good condition. [Are any of these things still there?]
Clothing: 5 overcoats in fair condition, 2 overcoats in good condition, 2 overcoats in poor condition, 5 caps, new, 6 helmets in good condition, 4 helmets in fair condition, 12 helmets in poor condition.
Supplies: 6 pair handcuffs, 6 pair twisters, 6 service clubs, good, 2 service clubs, poor, 4 flash light tubes, 3 pocket lights, 1 dark lantern, 6 parade sticks, 6 leather holders, 7 belts, 1 set leg irons, 1 snow shovel.
Worn out and destroyed: 1 feather duster, 1 floor brush, worn out; 3 mattresses and 4 pillows destroyed as filthy and unsanitary; 2 soil buckets destroyed by violent prisoners. [Thank goodness for modern appliances!]
|
