The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-07-29
CRIME EPIDEMIC
SEEMS RAMP ANT
Sneak Thieves Reaping Golden
Harvest Without Being
Caught.
EVEN INVADE CHURCHES
Police Force Inadequate, and
Council Delays Action on
Call for Help.

Sneak thieves are operating more
extensively in Richmond than at any
period in the recent history OF the
Police Department.
Every morning when homes and bust
ness establishments are opened, evil
dence comes forth that a gang has been
at work Reports are Immediately
made at police headquarters, though
few of the crooks are ever caught.
Fortunately, no large amounts have
been stolen, as amounts figure in police
records, though the loss in some in.
stances has been severe on the victims.
Not satisfied with stealing from
dwellings and stores. the robbers have
turned their attention to the churches
The First Baptist, on East Broad
Street, and the Grove Avenue Baptist
were broken into and robbed Wednes-
day night. When the janitor at Beth
Ahabah Temple went to work yester-
day morning he found that 1t had been
robbed, but little OF value was missing.
This morning other reports of church
robberics may be sent to the police.
Worked Other Cities.
In Petersburg and South Richmond
vandals have desecrated the churches,
evidently on still hunt for money.
They failed to steal handsome silver
communion sets in Richmond as they
did In Petersburg. The police rather
incline to the belief that these crimes
are being committed by boys yet boys
as rule are rather timid about going
into church after dark. II they are
boys they are OF the hardened type,
and well worthy the attention of the
police.
Day after day the record shows
where this residence or the other has
been ransacked Some of these crimes
were evidently the work of amateurs.
while others were plainly committed
by real burglars. While the police
do not believe that there is crime
epidemic which is beyond their con-
troll, they are concerned, and for that
reason citizens are urged to see that
their homes are properly locked at
night. Often the rear doors are lief,
open While the family Is on the front
porch, and 1t is not difficult for a sneak
to slip In and slip out again with val.
uables
Force Too Small.
There is great deal, however. which
can be said in justification of the Po-
lice Department. The force is inade-
quate. it would surprise the average
citizen If he knew exactly how many
blocks patrolman has to cover ar
night. The thieves know his move
ments; they know where he has TO he
at certain hour to send in his report
and SO they get far away on his beat |
and steal what they want, absolutely
certain that they will not be disturbed
by an officer.
Since the first of the year the Po-
lice Commissioners have been urging
at least thirty additional men. hut tbe
petition, buffeted around from one |
Council committee to another. is sin
III the pigeon hole with no possibtlit,
OF It's adoption during the life OF the
present Council. Indeed, there ora
other matters OF equal inoport.nna
which are still on the table. with M
!. iuoruh or committees or the Council
70 &C. upon them. Salaries have been
Iaiseu, me expenses OF the city have
zen 'si, increased by leaps and bounds
uhtli they have reached an ASTONISHING
ligure, while there is decided opnosi'
.!on In certain quarters to tncreasins
the cost for police protection.
NehpfnE Harvest.
WIN TINS condition of affairs Fl Ia
% De expected that sneak thieves have
! golden chance to reap n harvast
md they are reaping It, Many citi-
ems are away for the summer: their
ZONES y, are closed. and with the pos (,
aoility OF no Interruption, the rob.
'ers can work quietly or otherwise
And not all Of the robberies heretofore .
ave reached the ears Of reporters. :
onstantly on duty around headouar- :
ers and the two stations. :
But there is the belief that this cpl :
emlc of petty crimes will have one !
ffect--that 1t will force upon Coun-
II the imperative need of providing :
ddltlonal men to properly safeguard I
lie lives and the property OF tax q
ayers. .