South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-01-08

port and statistics of the police de-
partment for the year 1914, being my
first annual report since 1 became
chief of police.
when l became chief of the de-
partment l found the police in fairly
good condition, but inadequate for
the needs of a city the size of South
Bend. The police department should
be increased and kept up to the
growth of the city, in order that all
due precaution may be taken for the
preservation of life and property.
THE department was increased
during the year by the appointment of
a policewOman and she has done eX-
cel1ent service. and 1 consider her
valuable addition to the department,
and would suggest the appointment of
! another pOicewoman.
Need New Ambulance.
Il desire to call your attention to
the fact that the police department is
greatly in need of another combina-
ton ambulance and police patrol, and
would suggest that the Pierce Arrow
be remodeled over into a combination
police patrol and ambulance, and a
smaller car be purchased to take the
place of the Pierce Arrow. L also
wish TO call your attention TO the
present electrical machine now in the
police station for the recording of
officers reports. This machine has
been in constant use for the past p
years, and it is out of date, and about
worn out, and 1 would suggest that a
modern, up-tO-date machine be in
stalled, with red light signals on po-
lice box poles, to attract the attention
of officers when wanted in a hurry.
l also desire to suggest at this time,
the purchasing of another motorcycle,
as another motorcycle policeman
would greatly increase the efficiency
of the department.
4 also wish 10 suggest that the
matter Of more office room be taken
up by your honorable body. with the
honorable board OF public works. The
reason for this is that when the Ber-
tilIon and finger print system Is in
stalled it Will be necessary to keep
that department private.
Urges Warning Signs.
Il also recommend that warning or
slow down signs be placed each side
of all schools in the city, this would
be along the lines of Safety FirsK'
and should apply 70 all vehicles, as
we'll as street cars.
4 wish to extend to the honorable
mayor and board of public safety my
own thanks and those of the entire
department for the interest manifest
ed in our welfare.
q also wish to thank and praise the
members Of the police department for
the neat appearance, which they pre-
sent while on duty, either in plain
clothes or uniforms, and / commend
all the men in the department for the
good discipline maintained during the
year, and also for the excellent man
ner in which they have performed all
the duties required Of them.
10 &c
lice court are also due the thanks
of the department for his valuable as
sistance and encouragement in the
enforcing Of the state laws and city
ordinances.
Il also desire to thank the honor
able president and members Of the
city council, for having made apprO-
priation sufficinetly large to enable US
to carry on the work of the depart
ment in a proper manner.
Il regret 10 report the death Of
PatTOlman George BaeT. officer Baer
was born in st. Joseph county, Ind,
April 8. 1878, and was appointed as
a member of the police department
Aug. Is, 1904. and retired on account
of i'll health May /, 1913, and he died
Nov. so, 1914. While officer Baer
was a member of the department he
proved to be a faithful and efficient
officer and all regret his death.
Respectfully submitted.
WILLARD +. KERR.
Chief Of Police.
Chief SibrcEs Report.
Herewith 1 respectfully submit for
your approval the annual report Of the
fire department for the year ending
Dec. 81. 1914.
I wish 10 call attention 10 the in
creased efficiency OF the department in
the last three years. This was due
almost entirely 10 the addition OF mo-
tor trucks. Three Of which have been
added during the past year. UnfOr-
tunateiy, early in the year. our
Rambler chemical engine met with
an accident. This was reconstructed
and made into an automobile hose
wagon with a capacity OF 1850 feet
two and a half inch fire hose and