The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-03
POLICE READY
FOR THE SHARKS
'PIckpocketS and Bunco Men
Put on Notice.
CLOSE WATCH WILL BE KEPT
Crooks Who Have Already Arrived Are
Already Spotted Names of TWEEN
ty Special Oficers Will Not
be Made Public.

Notwithstanding the fact that the request
of Chief Austin for three private detectives
for the state fair was turned down, the
pickpockets, bunco men and sharks of all
kinds who come to Birmingham during the
fair will run against one of the strongest
departments of police encountered in any
city.
The fact that no special detectives were
allowed is greatly deplored by the police,
but the chief has determined to see that
the visitors to Birmingham are not robbed
and heeced and will put into operation
fine system with which to prevent crime.
All cities in the south in which fairs have
been held recently have been infested with
crooks and gamblers, and the advance
guard has already arrived in Birmingham.
1t is not to be supposed that Birmingham
will be treated any better than other cities
by these human sharks, but with ample
protection the work of thieves can ito a GER
tain extent be kept down Tho police al
ready have an eye on the crooks who have
arrived in the city and the very first at
tempt at pocket picking robbing in any
way will receive decided quietus.
Whole Regiment
1t is expected that a regiment of the light
fingered craft will flow into the city in the
wake of Admiral Schley. While the streets
are thronged with crowds viewing the pro-
cession the crooks will grasp the opportu-
nifty and unless the police keep a close
watch many valuables will be missing the
next morning.
Chief Austin has realized the difficult
feat the police department. will have to per-
form during the fair and is issuing special
secret orders to his men in advance. The
names of the twenty additional men who
will be on the force during the fair has not
yet been given out and it is questionable if
such will be done, many of the men will
work in citizens clothes and act as private
detectives Under the action of the city
council this is the only way left in which
to put on detectives. The fair association
will pay number of men to patrol the
grounds, and most of the extra men can be
used on the business streets of the city.
.'SSin" Games
The chiefs attention has already been
called to numerous skin games which
have been worked in other cities recently
and the sharks will have a hard job ma
nipulating their schemes in Birmingham.
Prominent among these is the game of the
judge and bogus policeman.
An old gentleman attired in broadcloth
silk hat and populist whiskers of white,
walks around the street in an unconcerned
way and impresses those with whom he
comes in contact as being perfect gentle
man. Accompanying him is another gen.
tleman of corpulence attired in the garb of
a policeman. Naturally their work has to
be done in almost isolated quarters where
no other patrolmen are likely to watch
| If man staggering under an overdose of
| whiskey comes along he is promptly appre-
| hended by the bogus cop. The defendant in
/ most cases will beg to be released but the
| policeman informs him that he cannot de-
| part from his duty and the journey to the
| station is started. At this juncture the
| patrarcha old man steps out and asks
| the officer what means this seeming
| trouble?"
| The tale of family and unhappness
| caused by the arrest is repeated by the VIC
tim and the judge then and there holds a
! trial and fines the victim whatever the
! tribunal thinks he has in his clothes. By
| prompt payment he is released and the pair
patiently await the next conner. The pick
| pocket with the razor-edged rings, ETC., is
! also anticipated.
| It is expected that the city treasury will
receive comfortable income from the next
two weeks work. What will be done re-
| mains to be seen.