The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-29
THE POLICE TELEGRAPH.
Commissioner Morrison Explains the Work
ings of the Systematic Benefit 1t Affords.

Police Commissioner Morrison has returned
from Chicago, where he went to examine the
police telephone and signal service in operation
there, with view to instituting the system in
this city. The system is now operated in Chica-
go, st. Louis, Milwaukee. Cincinnati, Columbus,
Washington, Lynn. New Haven and Joliet, and
it is claimed in the cities where it is used that it
has greatly increased the efficiency of the police
service.
I'm Chicago" Mr.. Morrison says, ''there are
about four hundred street stations, from which
instant communication can be had at all hours
of day or night with every precinct, and with
police and fire headquarters. instruments for
receiving and recording Geographic signals from
any part of the city are placed in the central
police station, and the register upon which the
signals are received is self starting and the rec
ord is made at headquarters whether anyone is
present at the time or not. There are also tele-
phones in the station-boxes for use, in
addition to the automatic signals of the
telegraph. The street station is common
sentry-box, which is octagonal in shape. with a
pointed top, two feet eight inches in diameter,
and about eight feet in height The top is of
glass. and is used as street lamp besides light
ing the interior of the box. The doors of the
street stations are furnished with patent trap
lock, SO constructed that whenever key is used
it cannot be withdrawn until released by mas
ter key. Every key is numbered, and the name
of the holder kept on record. This establishes
responsibility and prevents the giving Of needless
alarms. for when a key has been used it can be
officer. who holds in his possession
the release key Keys to the signal
stations are given to responsible citizens
and to the patrolmen of the district.
The locks throughout the city are uni
form. and one key will open any station.
Through the use of the system the whereabouts
of any patrolman can be learned at any hour,
because they may be required to report at the
different station boxes their beats while
making tn cir rounds. Besides the street sta
tons small signal boxes may be placed in pri-
vate residences, banks, hotels or business offices.
and connected directly with the system. When
signal box is placed in a private residence, a
key of the house is left at central station under
seal. When a call is made, the occupants
of the house can remain quietly in their bed
rooms, while the policeman answering the cali
quietly enters the front door with the of the
key which is left under seal at the station-ho
and the thieves or burglars find themselves
trapped. There are different signals indicating
for what purpose the call is made"
"How much will it cost to put the system into
operation in Indianapolis"
There ought to be about twenty five stations
established. The cost of each station is $3.50,
| besides the telephones, on which the usual
rental has to be paid. think, how
ever, we can put twenty five street
stations into operation with the telephones, for
about S. 600. After it is established there is no
cost for its maintenance, because the turnkey at
| the central station can attend to the work at
headquarters. The system is about as essential
to the effective working of the police force as the
| telegraph signal is to the fire department. We
have an efficient force of men, and with the aid
of this system they can do good work. Indian
apolis covers more territory in proportion
to its population than almost any city
in the county, and our force is
not large enough to properly cover the territory.
The beats are too large and there is almost an
absolute necessity for a signal service in order
to protect the city from footpads and burglars.
In cities where the system is in operation foot
pads can commit no robbery without being
caught"
I'm what way do you expect to get the funds
for establishing the systems"
''The Police Commissioners have no funds
which they can use for such purpose. We may.
however, if the necessity OF the system is agreed
upon at our next meeting, present the matter to
the consideration of the City Council, and as the
expense will not be large, while at cost of only
one months pay to the patrolling force it will
increase the efficiency of the police system near
ly double. am disposed to believe that they will
consider it favorably."