New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-10-01
POLICEMEN SCARCE AT NIGHT
THE NUMBER OF ROBBERIES HAS
INCREASED SINCE THE THREE
PLATOON SYSTEM WAS IN
TRODUCED.

Many property owners in the city have become
nervous on account of the scarcity Of policemen
in the streets at night However little some New
Workers may care about police protection of dens
vice they want protection for their property by
the paid patrolman. Since the three platoon sys-
put into operation it has been almost I'M
possible to find policemen at night where their
services most required for protection against
thieves The night posts have heen made longer,
because there fewer patrolmen on duty in the
streets night Policemen may he seen between
u m and a. IN. corner liquor stores-often
two or three of them at a corner-eXchangng gos-
sip and apparently killing time. but one may walk
miles along the quiet and darker streets of the
city At night without seeing policeman.
The scarcity of policemen posts has been in
creased of late by letting many of the huecoats
on their vacations. 1t has been the rule to have
the police take their vaca tons in the summer
months. letting few at a time from each pre-
cinCt Some weeks ago, when Commissioner Muir
ply about try the three platoon system,
vacations put off for time in order that the
posts should be unduly heightened at the
start. Now several hundred patrolmen are taking
their vacations, and several hundred posts have
had be doubled in length. It learned yes
terday that fourteen patrolmen in one precinct
We're on vacation and that single policeman had
cover fourteen blocks at night
Robberes in the city have been increasing. Ap-
parently the professional thieves have not been
slow to appreciate the value of Commissioner Muir
men expected patrol in the night time Most
of the robberies kept from the newspa pers.
The first thing the police do when robbery is
ported is to warn the owner of the stolen property
not TO talk about it. Promises of jealous search for
stolen goods are made on condition that the burg
lars informed through the newspapers tina t
they have stolen something. So long the police
can keep the robberes from being noised abroad
they don't worry about catching the thieves Con-
siderng how few thieves have been arrested recent
~ some people have been unknd enough 10 suggest
that there is more protection for thieves than for
property owners.
The police OF the Fifth,st station were informed
yesterday that ''Riggss Wigwam," at No 1873 East
Fourteenth-st.. had been robbed OF money and
property valued at about 5000 the night before.
Tribune reporter visited the place yesterday. Most
of the property in the "wigwam' consisted of Ind
ian blankets paintings and other thinks Of Indian
make Mr. Riggs said that he had lost a. number
of articles among which were five blankets. valued
at $500 each. and q buckskin coat, formerly owned
by Red Cloud the Indian chief. trunk had been
forced open and several hundred dollars in money
taken therefrom.
Two detectives from the Fifth-st station visited
the esta bshment but they did not seem TO be n
thusiastc about hunting for the thieves.
Some people in Fourteenth-st. said that police
men usually were to be seen at night near Tam
many Hall and the Dewey Theatre, neighbors
of Riggs place and il was queer that they could
not prevent stealing there