The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-07
POLICEMEN AND LOAFERs.

AN Ex-oFFIcER ON CORNER LoAFERs-THE
NUMBER AND BoLDNEss OF THE GANGS con-
CEDED-How TO GET RID OF THEM.
AS HERALD reporter was walking on Sixth ave-
nue. day or two ago with an exmember of the
police force who had also been officer of the late
volunteer army, the couple passed of the rude,
foul nouthed sangs who infest some OF the corners
ON that thoroughfare.
Il would like to be Superintendent Of Police"
marked the veteran
"Quite likely admitted the reporter. cheerfuy.
but how came you to think of it ct this particular
timer
"By happening to those loafers 1 would like
to be Superintendent long enough to rid the city Of
that gang and every other of its kind. ia clean
the streets Of tile entire fraternity in q month"
"Do you think the patromen would obey your
orders and disporse themg"
'patronenY Nonsense: + shouldn't expect the
patromen to 10 anything whatever-not in their
hannts of the various gangs. Such reports. how
ever. should insist upon through the captains of
precincts. Then would send small attachments
every evening. often in citizens clothing to shadow
various gangs and arrest every loafer the moment
that one OF them spoke insulting word to man or
woman"
"But suppose the rowdes don't insult any one?'
"Impossble; they all sneaks and ours, of
course they are bullies. Just hide in doorway
near of these gangs some night, aud listen; you
will soon hear a taunt or vulgar opithet flung Ut
passer-by-generally at woman. because she sug-
gests some speech foul enough for the crowd to
enjoy.
.why shouldn't the work be done by officers OF
the precinct to which the Offenders belong? An
officer post ought to dispense any gang he sees"
"He don't see them, AS rule for they dispense as
soon as he comes in sight. Most of the complaints
about lOaferS come from the people lusulted
by them; and the officer whose beat the offence
occurs may tell tue entire truth when he says he
never gang. There Is another reason, too,
why the ofhcef OF the beat should let them alone.
4hese fellows like all other towards. are vindictve.
the latter Is not likely to think very hardly OF his
captor FOR brave men, most burglars are appre-
ciate pluck-but let an officer get the iwill OF one
Of these gangs and he WILL have to watch every
shadow he and keep his pistol and club ready
for use."
"What can be done with such a crowd if arrested?'
''They be bound over to keep the peace and
stay in jail until bail is given. One single expert
ence will scare three-quarters OF them into staying
indoors"
.Wouldn't it be rather hard to punish half dozen
wild young fellows merely because one OF them Is
wild young fellows! Why, the scamps who make
up these gangs criminals almost to man nine
for chance to be one. All our murderers graduate
from these crowds Most of the corner loafers
bad enough to be past saving ii seems to me-
your plan seems sensible, but why hasn't some
one i'll power thought of it?''
"Ask me something easier; perhaps the whole
force, from Superintendent down to sergeant don't
believe there are any gangs but once let the public
know that the corner loafers are to be suppressed
and complaints will pour into station houses and
headquarters as fast as -
- AS fast as they do into the HERALD Office"
suggested the reporter; eve get scores and hundreds
OF them.
$50 should suppose" said the old knight of the
club. "since you've begun to expose the gangs
through your Complaint Book Keep it up; it's
u good work; remember that women the usual
victims of these ruthans, and man knows how
soon his own wife daughter may be insulted.
Here's my street. Good morning."