Albuquerque citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1907-1909, 1907-12-10
TIDAL WAVE OF CRIME
SWEEPS OVER CITY
OF new YORK
S3.500.000 by Theft in Two
Montns-.Sl6.O0O. 900 Stolen
During the Year of
1907.
G0THAM'S POLICE FORCE
ENTIRELY INADEQUATE
Police Are SupreSSlng Numerous
Burglaries--Thi Make Bus
mess of Ripping Up Mattress
SeS and CdrpetS--lnSurdnCe
Companies Pay Claims.

New York, Dec. 10.--The World
says; New York Is being swept by a
tidal wave of crime. There have been
more burglaries robberies and lar
cenies within two months than ever
before during a like period of time.
Burglary insurance experts estimate
that the loss by theft In two months
will amount to more than $500. 900
and that the loss for the year 1907
win be $16,0OO,00O.
The inadequacy of the police force
Is blamed for the present condition.
An association of burglary insurance
companies recently issued a circular
calling attention to the crime wave
and stated that insurance rates would
be raised unless something was done
to check the increasing robberies.
IL is generally believed that hard
times and the banking situation are
responsible for present conditions
The police have observed that the
majority of burglars and sneak
thieves arrested of late have been
novices in the business and most OF
them were driven TO crime by pow
erty.
While Commissioner Bingham de-
mes that there has been an unusual
number of burglaries and robberies
In the last two months he admits
that the situation this year may be
of the hard times He explains the
complaint of the insurance companies
by saying many of their losses result
from flake" robberies, or robberies
committed by the persons insured so
that they may collect the Insurance
money.
Burglars Seek the Home Banks.
A veteran detective at Police head
quarters said yesterday to World
reporter that he did not remember a
time when there were more robberies
and larcenies than at present. He ac-
counted for them by saying the
crooks were taking advantage of the
fact that the people have drawn their
money out of the banks and secreted
1t about their homes
L, is a fact that In nearly all OF
tae robberies of recent date the thiev-
es have ripped mattresses to pieces,
tern up carpets, looked behind pic
lures and searched every possible
place where money might be conceal-
| ed.
The burglary insurance company
managers declare that the only way
to solve the problem Is by publicity.
They assert that the newspapers can
do more to stop the crime wave than
any other influence. The publication
| of the fact that the city is being
swept by a crime wave makes the
people aware of their danger and re-
suits in unusual activity on the part
| of the police and extra caution on
| the part of citizens.
More Publicity Is Needed.
Norman r, Moray, manager OF the
| American Bonding Company OF Balti-
more, when seen by a World reporter
at his office, No. "a Nassau street,
yesterday, said:
THE great trouble with the police
Is that they suppress news about rob-
berries and the people do not realize
| how serious this Is, when IL they
would adopt a policy of publicity they
would do more to check crime than
| IN any other way.
"The police are unable to prevent
tho increase in crime with their pres
ent methods. II is like trying to bail
the ocean with a thimble. IL publicity
were given to every robbery the peo-
pie would learn TO protect themselves
and their property and would take
precautions to keep burglars from
setting into their houses.
''As the head OF an insurance COM
pany /, OF course hear of many bur-
81 ries. but just think Of the number
that are committed whore the victims
ars not Insured.
One In One Hundred Insured.
For every robbery committed
where the victim Is insured there are
probably hundred where the victims
|
1907 the burglary insurance compa-
nies here have paid out $24S.2l2, and
have received In premiums S6S4,34s.
These figures are taken from the In
surance Year Book. The loss Is Al y
per cent in money paid out, and as II
costs the companies about 60 pei
cent to handle the business, pay com
missions. etc, the profit Is gone and
the companies lose money. The po-
lice recover only about y per cent
of the property stolen.
"This is only the case in New
! York and Chicago, however, for In
other cities there are not so many
burglaries and thefts, Business Ii
done at a fair profit outside OF these
two cities"
Similar statements were made by
the heads OF other insurance compa.
nies. Gerald Il. Hart, manager OF
the Metropolitan Security company
No. 3S Park Row, said the condition
was appalling and that something
should be done. He believes in pub
licity. w. Lottimer OF the United
Surety Company, No. so William
street and w. r. Learned, of th'
Fidelity and Casualty company, No
81 Cedar street, expressed themselves
as being in favor OF publicity
Police Keep Robberies Secret.
II has long been a practice OF thu
police 10 keep the news OF robberiei
|