The morning call., 1891-01-31
Chief Of Police Crowley Says That
They Need an Example.
THE GENTLE GARRO7ER ABROAD.
Two Thieves Caught L00ilg a Val8lGiaSrHat
R3SiiGlCH-A Stand and Deliver Thief
Identified By a Scar on His Forehead An
Epidemic Of CIime-US8d an Ak.

There seems to be an epidemic of crime
at the present time. Not only have many
robberies anu burglaries been recently COM
mitted in this city, but in Sacramento, San
Jose, Grass Valley and Oakland as well.
The same thing seems to be also prevailing
throughout Eastern cities to an alarming
extent"
Thus spoke Chief of Police Crowley yes
terday TO a CALL reporter. when asked for
his opinion in reference to the many acts Of
llWlesSueSs that have occurred during the
last few weeks in san Francisco. Ii IS
singular coincidence that Immediately fol-
lowing the introduction of a bill in the Legis-
lature 10 Increase the police force there has
occurred q series Of most daring burglaTies
and highway rOb6erieS. Safes have been
blown open on some Of the principal streets,
many stores and residences have been en-
tered by burglars. and citizens by the dozen
have been held up by f0OtpadS and re-
lieved of their yaluab,es. Not day passes
without many fresh complaints being lodged
Mt police headquarters. In fact foOtpads
and burglars have operated to an alarming
extent in this city during the past few
weeks, and very few have been arrested.
AN EXAMPLE NEEDED.
"Of course the police have taken extra
precautions" said the Chief in answer TO
further interr0gad0nS, but if an officer
were stationed on every block it would not
stop these garrOters and burglars. What
they need is an example. The punishment
that has been meted cut to robbers is not
sufficiently severe TO act as a warning to
others. Here is record of fifty-four who
were arrested By the police during the past
year and convicted. Their terms of imprison-
ment ranged from one to fifteen years. For
highway robbery the law fixes the penalty
at imprisonment from one year to a life
term. If some of the robbers were sentenced
to life imprisonment or for at least twenty
years, it would have q salutary effect on
these fellows who are now robbiug people at
the point of the pistol.
Just what steps have taken to suppress
the garroters who now infest this city l do
not care to make public. The Captains of
Police have been instructed, however to
push the trials of those who have recently
been arrested. There have been epidemics
Of this Kind in the city before and we have
checked them and you can state that the
police Will soon have the present one COM
pletely wiped out"
SIDNEY BELLS STORY.
Other officers who have been connected
with the department for a great many years
were interviewed on the subject. It was
their opinion that footpads had been eucOur-
aged by the statements Of the notorious Sid
ney Bell, who told how easy it WAS to rob
people at the point Of pistol. If the COIL
yicied robbers were given the full penalty
Of the law, said the officers, there would be
few to follow in their footsteps.
STILL ANOTHER.
Among the street robberies reported to the
police yesterday was that of Henry SchmideI,
1t the corner of Harrison and Santa Clara
streets Thursday night. He was surrounded
by three Young fellows, who wore light over
coats and derby hats. One kicked Scnmidel,
another knocked him down, and the third
robbed him Of SIS.
This trio IS suspected of having committed
numerous other robbeTies in the southwest
eIn portions Of the city.