The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-12-24
Chief of Police

Chief of Police William j. E. Stone,
in his annual report, says:
On the whole the conduct of the
members of the department has been
good. One patrolman was lined three
months pay for being intoxicated
while in uniform and others have been
dealt with by reprimand. | am of the
opinion that the rules and regulations
governing the conduct of officers are
Inadequate to meet all cases of viola
ton of rules, neglect of duty, etc. IN
der the present rules and regulations
there is nothing that the chief of police
can do with a member who offends eX-
cept to reprimand or suspend him
without pay. Occasionally a member
of the department will be complained
of for some overt act or neglect of
duty, which of itself is not of such
grave importance as to demand his
suspension; while, on the other hand,
of enough Importance to merit his re-
ceiving some punishment for his Of
Tense. I would recommend that rule
II, which relates to trials, charges,
etc." be amended in such manner as
to bring summary discharge to any
member of the force who becomes in
toxicated while in uniform or duty;
also, that a fine system be established
between a reprimand and suspension
for not less than one or more than 10
days pay, according to the severity of
the offense committed.
The inspectors of the department
have been active and energetic in all
and successful in a great many of the
cases referred to them.
The Bertillon system of Identification
of criminals has been installed. The
value of the property reported lost or
stolen was $24, 912.04, and the amount
recovered was $40, 430. 10.
The number of arrests for drunken
ness during the year was 1924, as
against 1881 in 1900, 1875 in 1899, 3O4O in
1898, 1858 in 1897, 1858 in 1896, 213S in
1895, 2747 in 1894, 1875 in 1898 and 2119 in
1S92-a no-license year.
l believe that all boys who sell or
deliver newspapers should be licensed,
that they be furnished with badges,
that the badges be numbered and worn
in a conspicuous place, that the names
and addresses of the licensees be kept
at this office. While 1t is undoubtedly
true that a great majority of the
newsboys are honest and trustworthy,
there is no question but what there are
some who would rather pilfer the pa
pers and sell them at no cost to them
selves 1 am of the opinion that If the
BOYS were licensed and understood
that the stealing of papers meant the
surrender of license, the numerous
complaints of the loss Of papers would
cease to a great extent.
In regard to local street musicians,
I would recommend that they be IL
censed, that the time they be allowed
to follow their vocation be limited be-
tween the hours of a. m. and 10 p, M,
and that those who travel about from
place to place be not allowed to follow
their calling within the limits of the
city.
I again urge that something be done
to improve and enlarge the ell room at
Station l. There is also an urgent de-
mand by the clerk of the Central Dis
trict Court for more room in which to
store the records of the court; and for
offices. l would recommend that the
main building be extended to Com
mercial Street, that the brick cells now
in use be replaced by steel cages and
that detention rooms be built for the
safe keeping of persons who are ar
rested for any serious crime and where
boys may be detained away from the
influences of adult prisoners. / would
also recommend that new quarters be
constructed for the matron over the
prOposed extension for cell room, and
that the rooms now occupied by her be
turned over to the clerk of the Central
District Court.
Two of the inspectors of the depart
ment have a small, ill-ventilated office.
The other one has desk room in hall
way, and the BertillOns system is set up
in another room. At small expense a
passage way could be built in the rear
of the chiefs office, connecting with
the room now used for a dormitory.
This room would make t1rst-class
OHice for the INSPECTORS.
During the year Dr. A. c. Doten,
police ambulance surgeon, treated 80
cases at the station, had 547 emergency
calls SIS sick transfers and cared for
26 dead persons.
Dora B. Sawtelle police matron, had
$40 persons under her charge during
the year.
The whole number of arrests made
during the year was 5001. of which 1870
were married, 1861 single; 1853 could
read and write and 1862 could not; 1858
we're native born 264S foreign born;
ass were males and 346 were females.
The causes of arrest were: Adult
cry 20. assault and battery, 305; as
sault on officer. l; assault with intent
m kill 1. assault with weapon, 3; in
decent assault, /; assuming TO De an
officer, 2; bestardy, 8; breaking glass
IA: burning >; burglary, .; breaking
and entering, o. tdpidoi u > 80
dangerous weapon, 6; cruelty to
animals. 3; deserters. 3; defraudlng
hotel. 4: disturbing peace, 109; disor-
derlv house, 8; disturbing meeting b;
driving away team, 4; drunkenness
1924; escaped prisoner, 1; evading rare
2: extortion, 2; fast driving, 2; forgery
:: fornication, 81; fugitive from Justice
2. false fire alarm, /; gaming, %; IN
cest. g: indecent exposure, 9; indecent
language. 4; interfering with officer, 8,
insane. Is: keeping unlicensed dog -;
larceny. PA; larceny from building 81;
larceny from persons, 13; liquor law
violation, "a: lewdness, 8; malicious
mischief. 20: manslaughter, 4 murder
2. neglected children, "a; night walk
ers. 2: neglect to support, S6; peddling
without license, 5; rape, ?; robbery, O.
receiving stolen goods, 9; runaways,
rs: stubborn children, 81; suspicious
nersons. 2; selling diseased horse, l;
selling mortgaged property. l; smoking
opium, /; throwing stones at rallro az
train. g.; Threatening, 10; truants, L.
trespass, 10; Migrants, 81; violation Oh
pharmacy law, l.
The persons arrested under 10 years
of age numbered 35; from 10 to ~ 4s0,
from 20 to 80, 1415; from 80 to ~ l0V-'