Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1893-04-26

notice being received, it is assumed tina
your honorable body expects the Commits
sion to CLEAN your desires from the news
papers;
Police Commission was provided for in tn
city charter, and is coordinate branch o
the city government, having duties and re
sponsibilities respecting the public safet,
peculiarly its own.
Under these circumstances il would seen
proper that a communication addressed 4
the Board, for information as to whether thi
proposed reduction Of the force could safel,
and properly be made, should have proceed
ed request for its reduction.
However, in. order that your honorable
body may he informed as to the number O
men on the force, and the duties assigned
to them, we beg TO state that the force con
sists of a Chief, two Sergeants, one truan
officer, and six patrolmen. The rules gov
erning the force require one Sergeant to b.
on night duty, and one to be on day duty a
headquarters, so as to answer telephone
calls and to be on hand to promptly respon'
| to all calls for assistance. The truant Off
Ger devotes his entire time to the schools
keeps track of trusnt children, reporting
their absence from school TO their parents
keeping them out of mischief and at school
This leaves six men who are at present do
ing patrol duty-two on day and four OF
night duty.
The Board has in contemplation the as
signing of one man to do the sanitary duty
in cooperation with the Board of Health
The threatened visitation of the cholera anC
the presence of contagious diseases seems L
make this course an imperative necessity, ii
orderIthat all nuisances and filth be'prompt
ly abated, and the city put in good sanitar,
condition.
II this project is carried out, it will leave
only five men for patroling the city. i
our citizens do not desire the services of 81
many men, and they will make known theil
wishes to this department. the Commission
ers will take pleasure in reducing the force
to any desired extent.
We respectfully submit that the member
of the Commission are taxpayers, and are
interested, with yourselves, in an economical
administration, but they do not believe the
reduction Of expenses to be always true
economy.
The police force are doing good work.
The city is remarkably free from crime anC
disorder, and this condition is wholly due
to the efficiency of the force.
The Commissioners appreciate the i'm
portance of detecting and furnishing Grim
inals, but regard the prevention Of crime al
a higher duty, requiring great vigilance
and in the opinion of the Board this cannot
SO well be done without an adequate police
force.
However, the Police Commission is will
ing and anxious to cooperate with your
honorable body in bringing about less ex'
pensive administration Of the different de-
partments Of the city government, and since
you request a reduction of the police force,
we think, with the above facts before you,
you will be in better position to advise Us
where the reduction can most properly be
made
We have the honor TO be your most ODE
diant servants, the Police Commission,
JOHN MONAGHAN, President
Moved by Alderman A. Campbell that
the communication DO received, spread
at length Oh the journal and published.
Carried by unanimous vote.
PETITIONS.
The following petitions were presented
and by the chair referred TO their proper
committees.
Petition for a water main OH Lincoln
street from Fourth to Fifth streets.
Petition fora sewer on Lockwood street,
from Eleventh to Twelfth street, on
Twelfth street to Chisholm.
Petition to have drain laid in the
western part of the city, near the Wilkin-
son farm, to carry off the swamp water
that lays there during the most of the
season.
Petition for al electric light at or near
the railroad crossing at Campbellville ;
also for fire alarm station to be located
In that vicinity.
REPORT OF COMMITTEES.
From the Committee on Ways and
Means recommending the payment OF the