Perth Amboy evening news., 1913-01-22

'Inere were ~ dogs, 70 horses, ana
5 cats shot and-killed by the depart
ment.
There were 10 fires during the past
year wherein the police rendered ser
vice.
They found 81 store doors open
at night, and had them secured.
They restored 10 lost children to
their parents.
The dog catcher put to death 386
strayed dogs during the year, and the
police saw the work done in a hui
mane manner.
Total number of days officers were
absent from duty on account of vaca-
lions, sickness and suspensions, 1850
days. Yearly vacations, 269; month
ly vacations, 296; sickness, 311; at
tending court at New Brunswick, 90;
on account of injury, II; suspended
without pay, 8; on half pay, 4; total
number of days officers were fined for
violating rules of the department, rs.
Discipline OF Department.
The discipline of the department
has been kept up to about its usual
standard, but a few violations of the
rules and regulations of the depart
hsCht huflu oCtuLitu uulluS ne
year. The few that did occur were
brought to your attention for proper
investigation and disposal. I take
great pleasure to state that the ma
jority of officers are entitled to great
credit for maintaining discipline. The
work of the department during the
year may not in the minds of some
individuals hav reached the state OF
perfection but / feel that the great
majority of our people will appre-
ciate the protection we have given
them and the efforts we have made
with the small number of men at our
disposal to safeguard them In their
rights and property.
During the past year we had an
extraordinary amount of extra duty
to perform on account OF the many
strikes, political gatherings, parades,
etc, for which they receive no extra
pay; still to all these calls the men
responded cheerfully and promptly.
The work OF the mounted officer con-
tlnues to reflect great credit to HIM
self and the department, and is a
source Of satisfaction to the general
public; as u outlying districts are
becoming more populated, the de-
mand for such service becomes great
er and another man should be added
to that branch of the department for
the reason that the officer detailed
for that purpose is required to do
motor cycle duty half the time, en-
forcing the automobile and traffic
laws on the principal auto routes,
therefore leaving the outskirts of
city unprotected.
TPuant Officers. Work.
The truant officer whose duties are
the most exacting, requiring not only
tact and skill, but detective ability in
handling the juvenile delinquent, the
officer having this detail has a large
territory to cover, there being the
public schools in this city; the prin-
cipa1 of each school notifies him of
all a~bsentees, and it is his duty to in
yestfgate the cause of their absence;
during the past year there were s.
$40 absentees reported to him, he
found that 955 were playing truant,
the balance we're absent on account
of sickness and various other
The efficiency of the detective SER
vice cannot be questioned; both men
81 ShCl6 CllC topdblS uJSl, WIN Wei Z
selected for this work because of
their special qualifications. They are
untiring in their efforts to keep the
city free from crime and criminals.
We are. however hampered in our
work at times because we have not
men enough assigned to this branch
OF the service to give every case the
attention that We should like to, but
the most important IRE not neglected
or sighted. They have during the
past year recovered lost and stolen
goods to the amount of $895.S0 and
made 95 arrests.
Need More PatroLmen.
I would make a few recommends
lions to your Honorable body: one is
the great necessity of more patrol
men. As grows the city, SO grows
our need for more men, a need which
your attention has been called to in
my previous reports. and which your
efforts have been devoted to meet,
but we are a long way yet from being
adequately manned as to patrolmen
at least. The city is expanding ma
ter1ally In the residential sections,
and l am pleased to note developing
splendidly in its manufacturing inter-
ests, and shows every outward sign
of healthy growth for the future.
All this means increased need for po-
lice protection to keep a watch
full eye upon property in the resident
ial districts as we'll as the business
centers, and the demand made as you
know is urgent as well as frequent.
We car only give them partial at
tention with our force, at its present
numerical strength, and an increase
Is imperative.
l also urgently request the pur-
chase of an auto patrol and ambul-
ance wagon for the department,
which shall be kept in readiness to
get to any given point In the quickest
possible time. The aid OF an auto
patrol and ambulance to police bust
ness cannot be over estimated, max
ing accessible the extreme ends Of the
city within a short time, in strikes
and disturbances enabling the police
to arrive on the scene Of trouble be-
fore It get beyond control; and In
case of accidents removing the in
tured to the hospital in time for prop
er treatment. These are q few Of the
arguments that nigh be advanced in
Its favor, and we hope your honor
able body will provide some means
whereby you car equip the depart
ment with n tnthe near future.
Better Traffic Conditions.