Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-01
PROTECT FAIR PATRONS
IS MAJOR NERNER's IDEA
Chief Joyncs Also Reminds Pleasure
g:S Seekers OF Dangers Arising
From Carelessness.
OFFICIAL DoN'Ts FOR ALL
Heads Of Both City Departments for
Protection Of Citizens, and Visi-
tors Say People Themselves Can
RI Avoid Injury and Loss by Care.

stsN Gnle1 or Police Louis Werner last
night took time by the forelock and
issued his annual warning to Richmond
people in anticipation of the large
number Of visitors who will begin
focking into Richmond this week for
the annual State Fair. which opens
next Monday to continue through that
week.
"There is nothing like being prepar-
ed" Major Werner said as prologue
: to his warning this year. You know
the business of this department. not
only is to bring to justice those who
violate the laws; but its chief business
is to prevent law violations and TO
protect citizens fiom those who arc
anxious to become law violators. That's
the reason issue these yearly lists
of 'don'ts'
while the police force is here to
assist all citizens of Richmond and
& visitors to the fair and to protect them
as far as possible. the citizens them
selves can do much more to protect
themselves than can the police. The
officers may be able to bring criminals
to justice and, perhaps, may be able
to recover portion of any stolen
property; but the citizens and visitors
themselves can do much to prevent
crime and unnecessary discomfort for
themselves at fair times by exercising
little care.
"Of course most of the complaints
that usually arc made at this time OF
the year come from persons who have
had their pockets picked at the Fair
Grounds or on the streets or cars.
There is just one way to be certain of
protection from such losses-that Is:
don't carry large sums OF money in
pockets and hand bags; take just
enough each day TO meet your ex-
penses.
where 1t is possible for several men or
women to jostle you about while an
other robs you. also is an excellent
precaution.
GRAB PICK-PoCKET"S HAND
AND YELL, ADVISED WERNER
IF q citizen does become the center
OF such n crowd and feels some one
Juggling at his pocket or hand bag. he
should grab the arm and hold tightly
to it, at the same time calling for the
police. With the number Of men who
will be duty during the fair. one
will be within a short distance, and
the appeal should meet with ready re-
Spouse.
And then, to prevent losses in the
home, while visiting the failr, see that
all of the doors and windows are clos
ed and securely fastened before leav-
ing the residence. This not only ap-
plies to absences from the house at
night, but also during the day time.
But protection is not the only thing
wish to warn against" the Chief OF
Police added. Il wish to call attention
10 the need for extra precautions IN
travelling the city streets. Traffic Will
be much heavier during the fair than
ordinarily. street cars probably will
run faster. and there will be more Of
them, while hundreds OF extra auto
mobiles Will be in use. Accidents are
likely TO occur il the pedestrian and
the drivers Of automobiles and wagons
DO not exercise the greatest care. And
for the pedestrian. / would advise that
he STOP look and listen always before
crossing streets and before stepping
from street cars and jitneys."
Major Werner said last night that
Captain r. b. Sowell would be IN
charge of the large squad Of men de.
tailed for duty at the State Fair this
year. and that every prccaution would
be taken to insure protection of the
public. Uniformed men Will he strewr
thickly about the grounds, while scores
of detectives. will minsle with the
crowds. both at thef.Fair Grounds and
on the streets in town.
GAS JETS AND LIGHTED STOVES
WARNED AGAINST BY JOYNI;s
CHIEF Joynes. of the Fire Department
also issued warning to the public
last night. lie cautioned all residents
against leaving gas stoves or lights
burning in their homes while they at.
tend the fair. and advised that the
greatest care be taken in attending
to furnaces and stoves before leaving
them. And the chief also cautioned
citizens and visitors alike against
standing in the streets upon the sound
ing OF fire alarms
Take TO the sidewalks and keen "a
them" he advised. 1.-The apparatus
is going 10 remain in the street, and
persons will be safe on the sidewalks
but 1t is impossible for the heavy an.
paratus TO be swervcd suddenly wher
people rush into it's path. and such
occurrences unquestionably Will resu,,
IN Injuries. not only for the curiou,
person who gets in the way, but also
for members Of the department."
Captain Cosby will be in charge NJ
the special detail from the Fire De.
partment at the Fair Grounds thi. year
He VIII have ten men in his dot,cb
ment and chemical engine, annie an
paratus TO handle any small 're likely
to occur. >