The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-06-10
G RIM IN NEW YOR h
THE REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE.

Hon A. T.. kfNGsLAND, Mayor
the number of arrests, and the condition of the Po
lice Department. for the quarter ending with the 3lst
of March, 1851, from which ii appears that the
sand nine hundred and sixty-six 1885, being
three hundred and ffty-sx (356) less than during
the previous quarter. This decrease in the num-
Der Of arrests has occurred mainly in such Of
fences as assault and battery, and intoxication
and disordcrly conduct, while there has been an
increase in the number Of arrests for violating Cor
poration ordinances, Of one hundred and ffty-seven
u57). For the higher grades Of crime, the num-
Der of arrests vary but little from the previous
quarter. The whole number Of offences committed
during the quarter amount to eight hundred and
nine (s09), being thrse-hundred aud fourteen GID
less than during the previous quarter:
In the month Of January last, in compliance
with your directions, issued n general order d.
rectng a more strict and energetic enforcement Of
all the city ordinances; and in consequence thereof
large number Of complaints have been made to
the Corporation Attorney of violations Of tho ordi
nances. During the quarter ending on the 3lst OF
December 1850, the whole number Of complaints
was two hundred and ninetyone Obi, and from
the annexed report 1t appears that the whole num-
Der Of complaints made during the quarter ending
on the 3lst March, 1851 four thousand four hun
bred and eighty-one t,isl) These complaints
we're mainly made from the 6rst. second, fourth,
SIXTH fourteenth and sixteenth districts, and from
the deputy inspectors at this Office.
There were during the quarter ffteen thousand
three hundred and ninety-eight C5%sD persons
accommodated with lodgings ~ the various sta
tion houses Eve hundred and sixfy-cight (56Sl lost
forfy-ve ut5) sick or injured persons aided; hfty
one (jl) rescued from drowning; hfty-two loO
6rcs extinguished; two hundred and hfty-one (2,D
stores and dwellings found open; two hundred aud
seven,y.tvo (272) cattle, and one hundred and one
OOD hsrs4s found astray and restored to their
owners; and nine thousand Eve hundred and sixty
four dollars and eighty eight cents (S9,s6t Sd
taken for dodgers and drunken persons and returned
to them again.
The number Of sick days lost by policemen dur
ing the quarter, was two thousand seven hundred
and sixty Ave (2,165), making an average loss to
the department Of thrtytwo and two. third men per
day, the average being precisely the same A. for
the preceding quarter. There were ninety nine
Csg) complaints made against policemen, being
nearly double the number made during each Of the
two preceding quarters.
In former report took the liberty ofcalling tbs
attention Of your Honors predecessor to the pcces
sty Of establishing a river police, to protect the
large amount Of property constantly anosI IN our
barbor, and which is exposed to depreciation BY
day and night, while the police force, with the
facilities they now possess Is wholly inadequate to
afford the necessary protection. The subject was
laid before tho Common Council, but up to the
present time no action has been had ia regard to it,
and IL Is to be feared that their attention has been
drawn from the subject by the Multiplicity OF bust
ness that has pressed upon them.
Since tho time of making the report above alluded
to, deprcdators have carried on their operations
with increased vigor, enjoying the samc immunity
as in former years. Reports are daily ma ie 20 me
by merchants aud ship owners Of the loss OF their
property, while they dsmA that protection which
they have right TO expect, and which the depart
ment 10 unable to extend TO them for the want oil
the necessary means to prevent Expectations or TO
detect the thieves.
Property temporarily exposed on the docks, OF
aAoat in our harbor, Untitled to the same protec-
ton is afforded to property on the land, both boz
ing within the jurisdiction of The corporate authors
ties of our city, and can more with justice be
withheld from the one than the other.
III tho tradesman, In the pursuit OF his ayocation
should bc protected from the sneakng thieves that
prowl around by day, or the daring burglar, who
seeks his prey under the cover Of night, the mer-
chants and shipmasters, whose property is necessa-
rily much more exposed, have right to demand an
| equal share Of protection.
The CITY Of New y ork 10 eminently commercial
city. and It's present and future greatness nearly
| allied TO its commercial prosperity; and every
measure tending to the protection Of ito commerce,
| and the safety Of property ahoat on our waters,
must serve 20 ncrcasc that branch Of Industrial pur
suit, and consequently augment the wealth Of the
| city Considering the subject, therefore, in Z
purely selfish view II calls for immediate attention
but when il is considered ~ an act Of justice AND
/ right, which cannot be dsregarded withouta mani
est violation Of the trust con6ded TO us, II increase
n Importance, snd shs necessity for prompt satis