Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-07-07
POLICE PATROL WAGON.
SOMETHING THAT Is BECOMING MEG
EssARY IN SACRAMENTO.
Present Delay in Answering Police Call.
Hack Bills now Incurred-The San
Francisco System.

Chief of Police Lee has, ever since his
election, had his heart set on having pa
troll system connected with the Police De.
partment, his plans for which have beer
fully explained in these columns The
city is spreading out over a wide area, and
call from the suburbs for an officer, in
case of trouble. cannot be answered in
time, as the officers have to depend on the
street cars for transportation, or else "hoof
it" In the case of a robbery or other
crime being committed, the offender has
ample time in which to make good his es-
cape before an officer can reach the scene.
And even when an arrest is made it often
becomes necessary to employ hack or ex-
press wagon in which to convey the pris-
oner to the police station. This expense
has also to be incurred in the case of acct
dents, and it is estimated that the present
cost of carrying in prisoners injured per-
sons and DRINKS amounts to sum that
would be ample for maintaining q patrol
wagon.
San Francisco has managed thus far to
get along without patrol system, but this
was rendered possible only by having
police stations erected in different parts of
the city. Even this system has been found
inadequate, and the Supervisors of that
city have at last yielded to the urgent re-
quests of Chief Crowley, and made an ap-
preparation of $4,000 for the establish.
ment of new police patrol and wagon
system in that city. This system has al
ready been introduced, with great success,
al1 a. i
Signal and telephone stations are to be To-
Gated along the beats traversed by police
ofilcers, so that, as occasion may demand,
they may communicate directly with the
central office without departing from their
posts.
The system adopted by San Francisco is,
OF course, much more elaborate than
would be required for this city, where the
chief outlay would be for a team and We
hlcle. The present private telephone sys-
tenn could be used in most cases, bnt the
city might have few instruments located
in public places in the suburbs, the propri-
etors of which could be trusted TO protect
them from abuse. The San Francisco svs-
tenn is thus described in the Chronicle of
yesterday, and it may possess features that
Will commend themselves to the authori-
ties of this city
policemen are to be placed boxes about the
size of the well-known fire alarm boxes.
each containing machinery working by a
lever attachment which registers at the
station IN the same manner as the electric
fire alarm. Each will also contain tele-
phone. Any one requiring the services of
the police opens the outside door and pulls
down the lever at the side of the box the
alarm is Immediately registered. and in
few minutes patrol wagon, which is furn-
ished with all the quick hitching facilities.
hastens to the patrol station. A detail of
three men accompanies the wagon.
These vehicles combine all the quail
ties which are necessary for this sort OF
work, and are supplied with gongs like the
engines of the Fire Department. Under
the seats, which run lengthwise, are
lockers for handouts, clubs, blankets, can
vas stretchers, rope, and other necessary
articles. The stretcher when not in use is
rolled up and placed IN one of the COM
partments. When required for use it is
drawn out, supplied with hooks, and sus-
pended so as to hang free from the seats in
such manner thatthe iolting of the wagon
is overcome.
The new system has proved of wonder
full efficiency in the cities where it has
been introduced. The officer on duty can
report whatever happens of note in his
district, and in case of emergency he can
use the call which will bring the wagon, or
by the telephone can summon assistance
any place he may desire. The system can
be extended, as these boxes can be placed
in stores, banks, and private residences,
thus rendering possible direct communica-
ton with the police. Private citizens NAV
also be provided with keys to the police
boxes, and thus the city will be placed
under much better surveillance, greatly
to the advantage of life and property"