The times., 1899-02-14
A POLICE STATION
BECOMES A BARRACR
Equipped With Beds and a
Culinary Department.
The Scheme Devised by Lieutenant
kenney.
Eighth Precinct Officers Become
Cooks, and IA Weeks supply of
Food on Hand.

The Eighth precinct headquarters. stu
ated in Street, just west of Ninth Street
northwest, is now practically barracks,
and will continue as suoi, as long as the
policemen are Handicapped NY the prevail
ing weather conditions and prevented froC.
going to their homes.
All the members OF the precinct are
sleeping at the station, aid their meals are
cooked and eaten there. The idea. which
is an odd one. originated with Lieut.. John
NJ. Kenney, in charge of the Eighth pre-
cinct. Lieut. kenney was member of the
Greely relief party, which sailed into ;hc
Arctic region some years ago in the vessel
Proteus in search OF Gen. 4. w. ETeely,
the present signal officer OF the American
Army. He was exposed to many hardshps
during his journey over the northern ice,
and is fully aware OF all that the officers
and patrolmen of this and other police pre-
cincts are compelled to endure in the line
of duty during such weather as prevails.
Having the interest OF his EIen at heart,
he suggested shat they club together buy
provisions enough to last a week, and Eat
their meals at the stationhouse. 1t was
pointed out that under such an arrange
from their night beats, would not oe COM
PEELED to tramp through TIE snow and
drifts to their homes.
Food having been conveyed to the sta
ton and stored, it only remained to choose
cooks. brief inquiry developed the fact
that among Others, Lieutenant kenny and
Policemen "Bill' Zetton and "Spud'' Muir
ply were all experienced. having learned
the culinary art in the army. Policeman
of in hot ha
English armies, and Policeman Murphy
was an American marine bsfore he secured
his commission as policeman. These two
officers were delegated to serve as chief
chefs of the police kitchen, and Acting
Sergeant William J. Kenney, brother to
Lieutenant Kenny. was chosen as assist
ant cook, while Policeman Jets was Sc
lected as assistant cook and sculiion.
Upon Patrol Driver Robert Carter devoved
the duty of attending to the cooking
ranges and kitchen utensils. The cooking
is done in a large room in the basement
OF the station.
The first meal under this hurriedly i'm
proyiSed system was served to the first
night squad just before they went out at
6 O'Clock last evening. The bill OF fare
consisted of a large steaming ham, which
was asserted to be delicious; eight gallons
of Irish stew coffee, and bread. This
the blizzard. When the o'clock squads
OF men returned to the police station at
dusk they partook of their first meal under
the new arrangement. eating a supper
similar to that served'to the men who had
: just relieved them. Notices were sent to
all the families of the policemen that they
would not be home.
Before entering upon the new arrange
ment all the men OF the precinct planned
ho,.n haar for
/ their absence.
/ The police will sleep at the station
! house instead of at home. and for the time
/ being the place will resemble a hostelry
more than station. The schedule of meals
/ has been arranged as follows: Nine o'clock
at night, hot coffee. rolls, and cold sliced
ham; midnight. 3 and 6 o'clock in the
morning, hot coffee, cold sliced ham. and
| rolls. Breakfast will also be served at
! O'Clock to the men who return to the
station at O'Clock in the morning from
their beats; dinner, 1880 for outgoing
! men, and at 1890 O'Clock for incoming
men. roast beef roast potatoes, Irish stew
coffee, and rolls. Supper. $50 o'clock for
outgoing men, $50 for incoming men, Irish
stew, boiled ham, coffee, and rolls.
An effort will also be made by the police
men of the precinct to assist as many
hungry mortals as possible and numerous
other persons partook of their repass with
them yesterday. During the cold night
| rounds of the policemen many unfor-
I tunate persons were found and directed to
places of shelter and eating houses. Some
of the policemen even paid for meals for
hungry unfortunates out of their own
pockets. Whenever an Eighth precinct
policeman found a hungry person that
person was directed to the / Street sta
tion. where the stationkeeper and officers
in authority extended relief.
Major Sylvester, like his men. was very
sollcitous about the suffering poor of the
city. Early in the day he directed that the
lieutenant of each precinct secure two tons
of coal from some nearby coal yd1d and
have it conveyed to their respective sta
| tinns. This was placed Under cover at the
stations and distributed IN small amounts
to the poor When women and children
called at the stations the authorities n.red
idle men to carry the fuei in sacks to the
houses of applicants.
This coal is being paid for by Major Syl-
yester and several other public spirited
citizens. and they will also bear the ex-
penss of delivering the fuel.
There has been a very appreciable de-
crease in the percentage of crime since the
severe weather began. and the police have
in this way been somewhat relieved. Tht
chief class of arrests consists of inebriatet
: persons.
In view of the exposure to which polio,
+ are subjected, permission has been granted
l them to wear any kind of clothing that vii
7 add 10 their comfort. Some of the mel
g wrapped large comforters and muffler
around their heads to keep their ears from
becoming frost bitten, and others are wear
e ing large boots, which is an infraCtion o
the police manual which would not b
g tolerated under normal weather conditions