The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-01-27
PLEASED WITH THE SYSTEM.
The Savannah Authorities Inspect the
Charleston Police Signals.


Mayor Sch xarz, Alderman Reid and De
tective Besch returned last night from
Charleston, and were not only pleased with
the workings Of the police telephone and
signal system Of Charleston, but with the
kindness and courtesy with which they
were received by Chief Golden and the
officers of the police force.
| EiThe Charleston police stations are 81 in
number, and are divided into three circuits
! of 10. II, and IS telephone stations. At the
central station reports are sent IN every five
minutes, and an officer and clerk receives
| them. Telephone or electric calls are as
promptly answered as a fire alarm, aud the
| system is SO perfect in its working that at
| the sound of the gong the horses which
/ draw the Black Maria and the ambulances
dart out Of their stalls and take their places
under swinging harness, the same as the
| horses Of a trained fire department, and
| they get TO the station TO which they are
called out with the speed OF fire engine.
The day and night are divided into four
watches. The first night watch is from
p. m. TO l a. m, and the second night
watch from / to z a. IN. The first day
watch is from Z a. m. to l p m, and the
| second from to Z p. m. There are 81 posts
on the night watches and Al posts on the
day watches At some of the posts as many
as five reports must be sent in during a
watch. Boxes are placed at the posts iu
which are the telephones with an electric
ringer. the inner door of the box never be-
ing opened on a simple call for a wagon.
When an officer makes an arrest he carries
his prisoner to the box and rings for the
"Black Maria If for any reason the
gong does not sound after a second call he
uses the telephone, and after making an
arrest he telephones the particulars and
cause OF arrest. If a prisoner Is too drunk
or sick to be taken to the box, the officer
telephones the central station the point to
which the wagon must be sent. This ap-
plies to the streets and lanes, but if a per
son is found or reported sick at the railroad
depots or iD private premises, the officer
telephones the particulars to the central
station and awaits instructions. Whether
on or off duty the police are required 70
telephone any important information that
comes under their observation.
Alderman Reid says that 50 completely
and effectively does the system work in
Charleston that it is a terror TO the lawless
classes for upon the least sign of disturb
ance the patrol wagon dashes up with
detail of reserve policemen kept constantly
at the central station awaiting orders Other
details of the working of the force as given
in yesterdays MORNING NEWS were read
by officers Of the Charleston police force
yesterday in presence Of the Savannah visi-
tors, and were pronounced correct
1t Is believed that if the system is adopted
in Savannah the city can be more effsctu-
ally patroled, and after the stations are
established, more economically, as it will
not require as many policemen as under the
present plan, the present force being made
quate, aud large portion Of the southern
part Of the city being practically without
police protection