The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1883-08-29
INCREASE THE POLICE FORCE.

The events Of the past few days,
the appearance of many Of the faces
seen on East Temple street, and the
near approach of winter with It's
influx of an undesirable human
element, all suggest too plainly the
propriety, if not the absolute ne
cessity of increasing the city police
force, The number of officers on
duty on the street Is just two. They
usually 90 together, the services OF
one being insufficient whenever a
policeman is required. The conse-
quence is that necessarily the Off
GERS are seldom at hand when
wanted. They cannot be In two
places at the same time, and their
beat embracing a mile or more OF
street, including half dozen turns,
and some dark alleys, it would be
regarded as next to miraculous were
the policemen within hailing
distance of a row. One who is at all
familiar with the business part Oh
the town does not baYeto be told OF
the presence Of a considerable
sprinkIing of 1.-THE criminal classes.
The thief, burglar, ,cut-throat and
rohber ran all be seen at painfully
suggestive frequency any after
noon or evening. They seem
to be gathering in here
from the cities and towns of
the west, evidently thinking Salt
Lake is goOdsfeld for their opera
tons. Most of these fellows are
known to the police, who are posted
as to the antecedents, Characters
tics and EXPERIENCES of the rogues.
With the approach Of winter there
will be a greater influx of the law
less element, as there alwaysis. The
present police force is unable to
successfully cope with the rufians
and protect the fpersons and props
erty of citizens.E Besides, it is unfair
to the officers to compel them to
enter the lists against such odds, for
as we all know, the great majority
of arrests outside of the familiar
DRINKS, is of desperate persons who
show fight at the appearance of a
policeman. In many instances the
taking of the man involves the
question of physical strength and
expertness in the use
of weapons of attack and
defense. The public owes it to itself
to take all reasonably necessary steps
for self-protection, and it owes it to
its constabulary to jeopardize the
lives of officers as little as possible.
We believe the masses Of citizens
and especially the Taxpayers who
are most interested, will agree with
THE HERALD that the police force
of the city should be increased il
not doubled. The prevention Of
crime in a community is of the
greatest importance; and second t.
it is the punishment of the guilty
Considering all the circumstances.
including that of location, in the
center of a broad region where law
Iessness dominated for 30 many
years, Salt Lake has been most for
tunRte in both. these matters. Hel
reputation in these respects is some
thing of which we all are proud. Il
order to maintain that reputation
and keep up the regard for law ant
order, there must be increased dill
gence and greater effort,and these ar
impossible with our present llmlte'
number of peace guardians. Sal
Lake has passed beyond her vlllag
days, and is entering upon he
career as a city in fact as well as i
name; and being city, two polio
officers make a rather stingy az
pearance in the matter of a waite
for the place. The attention of th
City Council is called to the sui
iect. aud the hope expressed that
will see the business as the publ
does, and take the proper action
the premises