The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-09-07
PROTECTION FOR DETECTIVES
Even an Unwary 1hleT Catcher Is
iobbed Himself Once il a While.


From the NeW York Tribune.
story, simple but touching, is furnished
buhe police department OF this CITY Last
Snday, 50 we are told on apparently good
/ athority, a valued member Of the detective
bsnch of the police Department, named
less, was sent To thu pier at the foot Of
fest ThirIy-ffth street u watch for rick
bckets. A large excursion was starting
f,om that poiut, AID IL was suspected thar
The hard working pickpocket would be on
land plying his humble Dut remuaeratiye
location. 1nis suspicion wss well-founded
and the officer busted himself for surne time
In driving away PICK. ockets whom ha
recognized IN the crowd. At last the boar
started, and as it swung out into the river
Detective Fesss mopped his brow with red
handkerchief and reached for his $40 watch
70 ascertain the time. The watch was
gone. Some poor but dishonest pics pocket
had taken il.
This question becomes, we believe. one Of
serious moment: How shall we protect our
detectives and other police officers from the
rayages of pickp cketss The detectives
hours are long and his work is hard His
pay is none too generous. if he must be
constantly falling victim TO pickpockets
and other dishonest persons, We believe
that he will strongly object, and with
Justice A strike of our Deceive force. with
the outbreaks of crime which would follow
is something far from pleasant to contep.
plate. We shall take IL for granted that
no person can be found who will DENY that
our detectives must be protected
! One method of protection which suggests
! itself is that their watches, pocketb 8oks and
\ other valuables lie securely chained to their
clothing. A moments consideration win
however, show that this will not ans ner the
purpose. Detective Feess' watch was
attached by heavy chain, but was never
ltheless taken. A chain could be cut OF.
broken, or 1t could be detached and taken
along With the object il was intended to
! secure. If none of these could be done, the
garment might be removed from the crafty
effective and carried away, together with
eerything in the pockets, despite half a
bzen chains. Deity ripping detectives
,fwaistcoat up the back with sharp knife.
Ia sklllful pickpocket could easily make
way with it and all it contained. Another
llan might be to hire men to go along and
latch and protect the detective while ex-
pSed on the street in the discharge of his
lties, but this is clearly weak arrange
Ient, for who would protect the new MAJ
lianother man is employed he will reqnire
stl another to protect him. and so on al
tfnituDl. If this plan were adopted, when
detective walked out to suppress crime
1uf6 De d PROCESSION OF men IOll0W-
ms behind him as far as the eve could
reah each watching the man ahead Of him
andeven then the subtle last man would
be pbbed down to his collar-button aud
elevted railroad tickets Another plan,
who at first sight appears feasible, but
whicl will not bear examination, would be
to moose the willy detective in a sort of
exaggerated bird cage. His head might
protrle through the top or not, as was
found lest on trial-if it did so protrude
his haEeould, of course, be fastened on in
some sly so that it could not be stolen
The can could be five or six or more feet in
diametei and be made of light but
strong Seel wire. But an embarrassing
probability immediately presents IT.
self the bickpockets would provide them
selves with sticks with hooks on the ends of
them and reach through the bars and rob
the Intelligent detective right aud left
Increasing the size of the cage, thus keep
ing the pickpockets further away, would
have bit small effect. as they would only
arm themselves with fishing poles and clean
out the sy, but helpless officer before he
had gonea block. This plan, as well as the
others, mist be rejected.
What, ten, remains! Clearly only one
thing: Thddetective must not be allowed on
the streetsyith valuables. There must DO
a large safdprovided at police headduar~
.ters, in whbh the detective must be re-
quired to deposit all money, jewelry.,
etc. His clothes can then be fastened on as
securely as possible, and he can be sent out
to grapple With crime in all its various
forms.