Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-03-10
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.


"A short time ago a gang Of
thieves made a raid upon the north
ern section of this city and got away
with practically everything that they
wanted to take. A large number OF
stores and houses were entered.
There was a great deal OF comment
at the time that such a number of
robberies could take place In this
city without the knowledge of the
police.
The cry was at once made that the
city was in need of more policemen.
Chief of Police Burke used this as
an argument, backing up his de-
mands for a still larger force, insist
ing that with the present number of
men he was unable to give the prop
er protection. Every time anything
of this kind happens In this vicinity
we hear the same cry for more men
on the police force.
In this connection the following
letter which the EVENING NEWS
has received will be of interest:
Editor Evening News:
"If it Is true as Chief of Police
Burke says, that more patrolmen are
needed to properly police the city.
and protect the lives and property
of the residents of this city; why
does he find 1t convenient to take
from two to four patrolmen off their
regular beats and send them to
Proctors Theatre to act as ushers
and ticket choppers every evening?
If public places need men to preserve
order, they should pay men for this
purpose. If the city must furnish
these men to protect the theatres
interest why not send our two "pri-
vate" detectives, and the chief HIM
self, to do the job. / guess the po-
lice department can spare them.
TAXPAYER"
1t has been a matter of comment
lOt SOllC tihlS LuGt suCn al uuu0uut-
ly large number of policemen are
able to leave their beats and attend
the theatrical performances In this
city while in uniform. 1t frequently
happens that two men are at one of
these theatres and there have been
occasions when as many as three or
four have been seer at one or the
other Of the playhouses at one
time. Some of these policemen have
been inside assisting the theatre man
ayers In keeping people in line. and
it is declared. have been acting as
pointing out seats to the
4
It would seem that IL the theatres
4 this city need help of this nature
hey should hire special officers to do
heir work and lot expect the city
take the men off the streets where
-
ley are sc badly needed to perform
Ich duties. 1t is stated that these
fieers, In some cases at least, have
lief OF Police Burke. IL the chief I
as short Of men as he claims to be
Q do not see how hs can consistent
send men to the theatres to do the
-ork Of special Officers when they
re SO badly needed throughout the
ity. II the chief did not send these
to the theatre then they must
aave gone there Of their own accord,
and at least some OF them must be
off their beats without permission.
But this is not all. 1t frequently
happens that when there is a big
sporting event going on at the audi
torium two, and some times three,
policemen at a time have been seen
tduuln III tnc SIOWa ~dtCIiuk LuS l
races, or whatever may be going on.
If it Is possible for 30 many police
men to be In one place of amuse-
ment at one time we do not see
where there Is need of more officers
on the force. We do not believe the
taxpayers cars to pay men to stand
about looking at theatrical perform
ances or sporting events.
At a recent social event which was
held In washington Hall two police
men were seen to enter at different
times and take their places at the
table and partake OF refreshments.
These policemen were in uniform
and 1t was before IL o'clock at night.
We do not believe that the beats of
these men include the interior OF
Washington Hall, much less to re-
main for half an hour or more while
"a