Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-02
NEED OF ADEQUATE
POLICE PROTECTION
STIRS GERMANTOWN
Citizens Band Together to
Ask for More Patrolmen
Following Alarmin g
Wave of Robberies.

Stirred to action by the alarming in
crease In robberies in Germantown re-
Gently, the Germantovs and Chestnut Hill
Improvement Association and the East
Germantown Improvement Association
are about to launch campaign for better
police protection.
The campaign will be carried to the doors
Of the Councils. Present conditions are
not because Of the ineficlency OF the Ger
mantOwn and Chestnut Hill police forces,
it is said, but because OF the small num-
Der OF policemen.
An instance OF an inadequate force is
pointed out in the 1ith District, Haines
street and Germantown avenue, which
covers total OF 100 miles of streets At
present there are about 10S police in that
Section, but these men have to be divided
into three shifts and reserve force. The
reserve force consists of is men, so that
ol.ly 80 men are available to a shift to
cover the 100 miles of streets This allots
more than three miles on an average to
bach man.
Attention has been called to the beat
cf one policeman, which covers ia square
miles. The beat Is bounded by German
town avenue. Chew street, Chelten avenue
and Haines street.
Can you picture a robust policeman"
said one man, covering this beat and
then chasing a thief three blocks. 1t Is
really amusing, though serious
PREVIOUS PROTEST UNAvAIL1NG.
Once before tho residents Of German
town and the affected areas protested to
Councils. but their protests were un-
noticed William II. Emhardt, president of
the Germantown and Chestnut Hill Inn
proYement Association and chairman of
the Fire and Police Committee OF that
organization, pointed out the urgent need
of motorcycle policemen. Germantown
has two cycle policemen.
1--WE not only face danger from rob-
berries, but also from the ever-increas-
ing traffic" said Mr.. Emhardt. Every
year the traffic here, and especially in
certain localities eNacts Its toll of lives.
We certainly need motorcycle policemen
here.
"Lincoln drive and Greene street is one
of the most dangerous intersections in
Philadelphia Every year the number OF
accidents and fatalities increases there
There are also Harvey and Greene streets
and Washington lane and Chew street
Both OF these dangerous corners are well
known to motorists.
DANGER TO PEDESTRIANS.
"In many places we have no sidewalks
and pedestrians are compelled to take to
the streets. Ir we were granted 80 ad-
ditional policemen we would only be get
ting our proportlonnte share. Many resi-
dents have to hire private watchmen.
They pay their taxes as regular as those
who enjoy protection and we are only
demanding what is coming to u.s."
Mr. Emhardt declared In recent inter-
view Director Porter said he favored more
policemen for Germantown and Chest
nut Hill. He said he had asked Councils
for 500 more men and it is only for those
bodies to appropriate the necessary funds
20 make this possible.
4 Colonel Sheldon Potter suggested a mo-
torcycle policeman to every three beats
would greatly assist the policeman and
would considerably lessen the danger to
pedestrians.
Germantown offers an excellent field for
the burglar, said Colonel Potter, with its
trees, hedges and large lawns police
man might easily walk by a house being
ransacked and not even know a trans
Sressor was near.
II think the police we have do wonder
fully we'll under the circumstances and
the pressure under which they are
working"
The need Of motorcycle policemen was
forclbly pointed out by the Rev, Harle w
Hathaway, pastor OF the Presbyterian
Church OF the Covenant. He used a re-
cent accident at Chelten avenue and York
road as an example. Two men lost their
lives in the accident. This section comes
under the Branchtown Station and is
poorly protected the clergyman said.
The eight-hour system increases the ef-
ficlency OF the individual policeman
through his having shorter working
hours. Shorter hours do not claim so
much mental and physical eXertlon on his
part and makes a policeman more alert
20 his duty. All officials OF the campaign
agree that this is an excellent plan. but
causes a very small number of men to be
on the street at the same time