The times., 1898-07-28
THE BICYCLE SQUAD.
Major Sylvester Issues Instructions
to the New Men.

The new bicycle squad viii go on duty
this morning If the weather permits and
1t Is expected that every street and ave-
will be patrolled by the new mounted
coppers. instead of only the principal
streets, as has heretofore been the case.
Major Sylvester. chief of police, has ad-
dressed a circular letter TO the lieuten-
ants of the various precincts. in which he
makes some very pertinent suggestions
as TO che manner in which the new squad
shall behave and the relation they will
bear TO the regular policemen The cir
cuiar is as follows:
AT this time. when the bicycle IS
about to be put into more extensive serv-
ice in the several precincts. it M ght be
well TO inform the men detailed 10 that
duty concerning some matters which
have occurred 20 me and others as of the
greatest Importance to the public and
the department.
Because man is on wheel it IS not
to be understood that he is to patrol the
precinct at other than a moderate pace.
unless circumstances require haste: and
mucA of the time. no doubt, the police
man VIA abG DAA his wheel
1T 3 especially desirable that the men
shall keep Up Their acquaintance with clti-
zens throughout hteir respective pre-
cincts, to be civil and polite On all oc-
casions. promptly stop when hailed to do
50, and to keep their eyes open 50 as to
be able to make response 10 any Gals that
J may be made upon them.
..It il the rrac-jca f,r ~ -i4;-
generally look directly ahead. 1t will be
necessary for the policemen 10 keep
their eyes open on all sides.
While complaints of the kind are not
! as numerous as formerly, headquarters.
regret 10 state. is frequently informed
OF the practice OF throwing bottles and
other glassware on the paved streets to
the detrimeEt of bicycle riders These
| conditions, where they exist. should be
! observed, and means taken to have fhe
! dangerous and expensive obstruction re-
! moved.
1t is important that special attention
/ be given all houses known to be temDa-
| rarily unoccuDied. Citizens are requested
! to notify headquarters when they leave
! thelr premises uncared for This infor-
nation will be in turn furnished the pre-
! cinct station houses, and the police gen
orally, and the bicycle policemen in par
ticular should familiarize themselves
with such locations.
| ''Unoccupied houses. for sale or rent.
which yield the owners no revenue. have
! frequently been robbed of lead pipe and
! other furnishings, not only to the dis
gust. but 10 the expense of the owner.
| w lille too much is not expected of the
bicycle policemen, they should try the
doors and windows of such premises.
front and rear. and take precaution to
nave any found open or in bad condition
reported to the owner or agent
AS the bicycle affords the best facility
for apprehending fast and reckless
drivers. the bicycle policemen sbo,,Id
make it their endeavor to put a stop to
! such practices.
Especial attention should be given ia
riders of bicycles who are disposed ia
| violate the regulations
Bicycle men should thoroughly famil-
| iarize themselves with the manual
should be the first at fires, should
| promptly respond in pursuing all fugi-
tiVes and to carry alarms, when neces-
sary. TO different parts of their pre-
| cincts. or to other precincts than thei,
| own, and In every way strictly perform
| the duties enjoined upon footmen by the
| regulations. They should map out theil
course. not only through the streets. but
through alleys, and in and about reser-
vations where violations of law are likely
to occur.
The same facilities for calling up the
station houses from the signal boxes are
afforded the bicycle men as are enjoyed
by the footmen. The lieutenants will
utilize the new facilities afforded then
to the best advantage, holding those Il
whom these duties are confided to III,
proper conduct of all their undertakings
Ordinary wear and tear of the whee
is expected, Care should be taken t.
avoid accidents, and to keep the machin
in good order
In the list of names of the members OF
the squad published in The Times a few
days ago an error was made in the detail
from the Ninth Precinct. Policeman T.
F. Williams. not B. F. Vermillion, has
been selected.