The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-05-28
ALARGER POLICE FORCE.

No citizen at all dCqudiiitSu Will ehc NoiuihS
Of work it is called upon to perform and with the
wide stretch of territory it is required to protect,
fails to realize that the police department OF Provi-
dence is rendering remarkably efficient service.
Nor it is forgotten by the people generally that
numerically the police force of this city is remark
ablv small, far smaller, indeed, than it should be,
which means that the members OF it are necessarily
worked to the limit.
This is condition that ought to be corrected
by enlargng the department to point at which its
members will not be overworked and will be able to
ve that constant and alert attention to their duties
which is the best safeguard the citizens have
against the depredatons of the lawless and the
vicious
1t is bad policy in of this kind to be
parsimonious. Because the present number of men
are by extraordinary effort and particular devotion
to duty giving satisfaction. it is not to be as
sumed that they will always be able to do so. In
deed ii is due to able administration and the ready
and cheerful response of the rank and file that thus
far an excellent record has been made.
AS already stated, the limit has been reached,
and an addition of at least fifty men to the depart
ment is an imperative necessity. The police COM
mission has repeatedly called this need to the at
tention of the city council but that body, for
reason as yet unexplained, has failed to act favor
ably the proposition.
Whether or not political influences are respon-
sible for this neglect it is not necessary to dis
cuss The fact is Providence is in urgent need of
more policemen and should have them without de-
lay, particularly since the people have determined
to have an Old Home Week celebration, during
which, with the larger force asked for, the de-
partment would still be taxed heavily to meet the
requirements adequately.
If the members of the city council will take
the trouble to inquire into the matter they will dis
cover that the increase in the law-enforcing body
here has been almost insignificant in comparison
with the increase in population. Today, for
example, Providence has population of more than
100000 an increase of nearly thirty-hve per cent
in decade yet in that span of ten years there has
been no increase in the numerical strength of the
police department.
Increased population imposes increased bur
dens on the police Today, with practically the
same number of men as on duty ten years ago.
the police department is safeguarding the lives and
property of nearly 10000 additional citizens.
Such condition is not only unfair to the de-
partment but it involves danger to the community.
With all their enthusiasm, willingness and devo-
ton men can do only so much really efficient work.
When they are forced beyond the point of reason
able endurance they are liable to errors of judg-
ment and other lapses that may count seriously
against the department, the community and them
selves.
Providence is certainly wealthy enough to pro-
vide itself with police department large enough
TO meet all its requirements and if the city council
-
promptly make the appropriation necessary to en-
able the commission to increase the effective police
force to the limit it has several times recommended