Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-21
Not a Case Of ShOplifting Yet Re-
ported by Local Merchants Dur
ing the Holiday Rush.
THIEVES FIGHT SHY OF PITTSBURG.
Experienced Rivermen Preparing for Rise
in the Rivers When the Deep
Snow Goes IF.
GHOST DANCERS In STORE WINDOWS.
Chinsnsn Scores Decided Hit BY Donning Pair Of
Rubber Boots

Pittsburg is singuiarly free from
hurglaries, robberies, shoplifting operations,
or, in fact, the!ts of any kind at the present
time.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Roger
O'Mara was seen making the rounds OF big
downtown business houses yesterday after
noon, and was asked how he found things
during the present holiday season.
Il never knew the city to be as free from
crooks as at the present time, " he replied.
up 10 date there has not been single case
of any consequence whatever reported TO us,
do not think there is a tirst-class thief in
the city that is prepared to do any business
here. Outside talent gives Pittsburg the so
by as a rule, They all know that this is a
dangerous place for them TO undertake any
work in. The last gang of profession al
holiday shopiifiers was arrested and sent up
here four years ago. Other cases of shop
lifting have occurred here since
then. but they were committed by
persons who were tempted to steal on seeing
the great displays of goods that are scattered
over counters apparently with no one watch
ing them. But even that feature is dying
out.
business Places Continually Watched.
"Many OF the larger stores have private
detectives stationed where they command
good view o. entire rooms, and they keep
sharp lookout for suspicious persons. The
police department also has big lot of men
6evoting all their time to watching business
places generally, and the crowds on the
streets The crowds that form about these
big display windows are the worst to man
age.
Take it day in and day out, our down.
town streets are just as crowded as Broad
way New York, yet we have very few
robberies or pockpickings. The last holi-
day robbery of any consequence in this city
occurred two years ago. A boy Was
allowed to draw $1,000 out of
bank, for a firm and he placed
the money in an outside over
coat spocket. He was followed to the
building, and as he stepped into an elevator,
one Of the fellows nabbed the bundle. He
might as well have handed it to them. for
that matter. The fellows were arrested in
Milwaukee afIerward, but the boy could not
identify them. They were sent up, how
ever, for term of years on other charges.
Pittsburg Always Well Protected.
There is not city in America that is
better protected than Pittsburg at the pres
ent time. This is notorious fact all over
the country. Police officials know it, and
so do professional crooks. Now Pittsburg
has a class of professionally as fine in vari-
Gus departments as any to be found in the
world. but they rarely ever attempt to
do any work at home, for they
know that they will be sent up
if they make a move. What they NAV do
on the outside is matter for the authorities
of other cities TO attend to. Our business is
TO attend to this city, though, of course, we
will always afford as much aid to outsiders
as We can. The crooks of the country know
all about Pittsburg, and that is why they
steer clear.
The thieves of all well regulated cities
are valuable in suppresstug crime in their
various locations, for, if the authorities
know their business, they can pinch them
and turn their knowledge OF things to very
good account Big political campaigns,
fairs, ETC., are their choicest graft, and they
all keep posted as to the run of events. Fit
teen or 20 years ago we could not have big
fire here that people were not touched up for
watches, jewelry and pocketbooks, but all
this is done away with now. We know all
the good men OF the country. and as fast as
new men appear in the ring we are notified
10 look out for them, while we return the
compliment to the authorities of other
cities so that it makes it comparatively diff
ficult for them to do any extensive Jobs
here without taking very long chances on
the pen"