The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-04
Total of 2436 Made During
August With 1871
Convictions
OVER $4,000 IN FINES
ARE COLLECTED
Chief Criticises Utterances of Judge
Fort in Regard to Automobile
Speeders-Hopes to Reduce
Arrests This Month

Thatethe number of arrests was entirely
too large to suit him. was the emphatic
statement of Chief of Police George H
Rodeker when the report of the police
department for the month of August was
given out early yesterday. Chief Bode-
ker further limited that he would take
active steps 10 have the number of ar
rests reduced.
In the month of August there were 2436
arrests made by the police department
of Birmingham. This is making arrests
at the rate of 10000 a year or about So
per day or one arrest per policemen per
day. Chief Bodeker complains that the
police of the city are rather too anxious
TO make a showing for making arrests
than for a record of maintaining order
The number of arrests made for speed
ing. according to the report, totaled AZ
snd resulted in 36 convictions and one con-
tinuance. Other automobile arrests
amounted to 80 and SO convictions 1t is
expected that the month of September
will show a substantial increase in the
number of automobile arrests, as the
police under the stringent Instructions of
Chief BodeSer the trail of the
speeder.
Too Many Arrests
Il greatly regret the large number of
arrests" said Chief of Police George II.
Bodeker. "and wish that it could be les
soned materially. There is nothing that
would pleace me better than to know that
not one single arrest had been recorded
in the city of Birmingham for one day. |
desire to state for the benefit of the Of
ficers under me as well as the public
that it is not the officer who makes the
most arrests who will win appreciation
and promotion. but the officer who can
maintain good order and peace with the
people he is thrown in contact with. Max
ing record number of arrests has never
meant the highest efficiency as an Of
flcer at least according to my viewpoint
"However the large number of arrests
will be greatly diminished next month. L
hope, as the people are getting accus-
toned to the traffic ordinance, which ID
the best ordinance that has been passed
in Birmingham for some time. In August
there We're 493 arrests for traffic viola
tions and All convictions. We hope in
September that only one-fourth of this
number will break the law Now on the
other hand the arrests for carrying con
cealed weapons amounted to AZ and 81
convictions and this number / hope will
be doubled next month am after the
pistol toters all the time.
Where the frivolous arrests came in
was in the large number for disorderly
and intoxication, which amounted to 1888
While | am not cognzant with the condi-
tion that confronted the Officers. ! am
sure this large number of arrests on these
two charges could be materially reduced
to the great advantage of the citizens of
Birmingham.
Il want everybody arrested who breaks
the law, but the rule of reason should ap-
ply everywhere. Now as to automobile
speeders no mercy should be shown to
them ard they should be quickly appre-
hended and placed in Jail. Still to the
automobile speeders only advocate that
the law should get after them, and am
rot as drastic a certain jurist VINO
publicly advocated that shotgun should
be applied to them. This is only invok-
ing outlawry to suppress outlawry and
is most surprising coming from Judge
of the criminal bench of Jefferson
county"
Report for August
The police report for the month of Aug
ust follows in detail:
Birmingham, September l., 1918
Hon. A. o. Lane Commissioner of
Public Justice. City:
Dear Sir-I submit herewith report
OF work done by the police department
during the month ending August 81
1913: