Evening journal., 1909-03-08
PARK COMMISSION
MAKESSTATEMENT
Will Inform Police Commits
sion Of Affairs Regard
ing Park Police

As the result Of the bill in the Legisla-
ture taking police control of the Whining
ton parks from the Board of Park Com
missioners and placing it with the Board
Of Police Commissioners, the Executive
Comittee Of the Park Comission has pre-
pared a statement bearing on the subject
which will be sent to the Police Commits
sion. What action the Police Commission
will take in the matter is not known. Fol-
lowing is the statement:
Wilmington. Delaware, March 8, 1909
To the Board Of Police Commissioners:
Gentlemen As the matter Of disorder
in the public parks is a source OF con-
troversy at the present time we desire to
acquaint you with the following facts
In the early spring Chief Black appeared
at a meeting OF the executive committee
of the park board and stated that COM
plants had reached him of disorderly con-
duct in the parks and that in many bas-
tardy cases comming under his notice the
victim claimed that the offense had been
cormitted in the parks. As a suggested
remedy the lights and a guard were kept
on until midnight.
Later the chief Of police met with the
executive committee and stated that the
park guards We're not doing their full
duty and suggested that a sergeant be
appointed The engineer was Instructed
to use dlligent efforts to ascertain what
guards we're not doing their duty. Having
occasion he administered a reprimand
to one OF them. and later on, finding the
same guard intoxicated while on duty. he
demanded and received his resignation.
At the request of Chief Black the execu-
tive committee gave the guard another
trial. In less than a month there was a
second offense and he was discharged.
On November H. 1905 Annie Cummings.
thirteen-year-old girl. on her way to
No "A school. while passing under Van
Buren, street bridge. was assaulted. Mr..
William Lea and Park Guard Rtman.
who were on the opposite side OF the
Brandywine, hearing the screams Of the
girl ran over the bridge. but the assai-
ant had escaped. The girl went to the
school and the principal notified the city
police. an officer was sent TO the school
and a full description Of the assailant was
obtained. on the evening of November
Officer Ley acting from the description
given. arrested Frederick Surick, a board
err With Park Guard James Black. The Of
I hcer took surick to the home OF the girl
I who clearly Identified him as the guilty
/ party The officer then proceeded with his
| prisoner toward the city hall. on the way
he met Chief Black who required the Of
/ ncer to return with him TO the home OF
/ the girl The chief roughly demanded OF
the parents 10 see the child. The girl was
! hrougbt from ler hed and severely ouos-
/ toned but she stuck to her story that
! Surick was the man. Notwithstanding this
tho chief ordered the officer. TO release
him. which he did.
The park engineer then swore out a
warrant for the arrest Of Surick and ,s
was taken into custody. At the bearing :;
was found that the names Of two Of the
suspects cronies had been added to the
list of the states witnesses. On discover
ing this the assistant city solicitor had
the case continued and then dismissed.
The matter was then called TO the at
tention Of the attorney-general who di-
rccted the State detectives 10 Investigate
the matter. The case was presented to the
grand Jury in January and a true biz
found. SuriclS was ably defended by VII.
liam G. Jones. Jr.. but the jury convicted
of assault and he is now serving his sen.
tence
IN view Of these facts we believe that
the criticism of the park board in The
management OF its police affairs is un.
Just.
Executive Committee OF Board OF PARK
Commissioners.
Edward r. Mack, Secretary.