Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-08-08
THE POLICE FORCE.
Points About the Increase A Citizens
Views,

Points ABOUT tne increase "A NtthLeh -
views,
When Councilman Cummings resolution
appointing an additional policeman for the
Third ward was before Council it was re-
ferred to the Committee on Police. This
was useless. The committee had already
of twenty-five. Therefore, it was an empty
form to refer this resolution back. Last
night the committee met and decided to
recommend the adoption OF the resolution.
ACIrrzEN's VIEWS.
To the Editor of the Register.
wHEELISG August Il am glad to see
the REGISTER agitsting the subject OF am
increased police force in our city, as 10 Is
matter of almost vital moment.
There is probably not another place Of
equal size and importance in the country
whose citizens are so poorly protected as
in ours, and it is high time that Council
should afford relief in that direction.
What this city particularly needs is an
efficient night police force, and one Suttici-
emily large that each Waterman might
fully protect the beat to which he would be
assigned.
During the day large force is not essen
tial, as at that time people generally can
take care of themselves, but during the
night We are completely at she mercy of
thieves. CutthroatS incendiaries. and the
criminal element generally.
Scarcely q night passes but some depre-
datiOn Is committed in the city, and unless
steps are taken for their prevention, rob-
berries, fires, etc, will multiply. | am in
formed by knowing one that thieves boast
that Wheeling offers them picnic" for
their particular line of business, and this
fact is known TO the fraternity all
over the country. Our present Chief
of Police is, with that limited
posse at his disposal. doing all in his power
to suppress crime during the regular hours
OF duty, and even during after hours; but
policemen are not perpetual motion ma
chimes, and require needed rest just the
same as other people.
There is at the present time nest Of no
torious thieves and crooks rrowling at
large in the city, and citizen, after night,
is either Liable to be held up" ON his way
home, or find q cracksmau standing over
BIN in his chamber duFiug the houts for
slumber. Why, what residence or store in
the city is safe al night under onr present
country village regime? There are
many people, females especially, in
Wheeling, who have contracted nervous.
ness just from a feeling of insecurity in
their houses at night; and there is no tax
which the people would more generally APP
prove than one to provide an industrious
night watch, and say one detective.
1t should be made so warm here for the
Curly Jacks, Punch" Longs, and gentle
men of that elk, that they would have
good and sufficient reasons TO give Wheel
ing a wide berth. Another matter is that
the majority of crooks who have been
captured by our police generally manage,
by the aid of able counsel and
weak prosecution, to slip through the
meshes of the law, but more on this again.
/ sincerely trust that the Committee on
Police will give this matter their earnest,
serious and prompt consideration. Many
of the disastrous fires that have occurred in
this city could have been extinguished in
their incipiency had vigilant night force
been on duty, and this of itself should be
q sufficient inducement for Council to give
US one. Letus have night watch.
CITIZEN.