Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-15
SAFETY HEADS
AWAIT RESULTS
Detectives Sent to Aid Dis
trict Police in Check
y, ing,Crime
RE.ESTABLISH ZONES"
Citizens Seek Permission to
!, Carry Revolvers for Home
Protection
RE-ESTABLISH ZONES"

Director Wilson and Police Bureau
officials are awaiting results OF theii
arst move TO shake up that branch o
the city's service.
Following numerous complaints o
citisens. the detective force has been re
organised and augmented to help th'
regular police force in its effort TO put
an end to the increasing number oi
burgiaries. robberies and other crimes
The order TO reorganize the Detective
Bureau came after several conferences
In which William II. Wilson. Director OF
Public Safety: Harry Davis, Assistant
Director; James Robinson, superintend-
ent of police, and Alfred ]. Souder' cap
tain of detectives. took paT;.
Wilson Has Co-operati,e Plan
Duector Wilson has under .considers
ton q cooperative intelligence system
between police and detectives.
Changes suggested at recent confer
ences of police heads have 10 do with
speeding up Investigations q complaints
OF crime, and instructions will be issued
10 each patrolman. making him an ad-
f,nct of tho detective bureau in the
case of stolen automobiles and criminal
acts occurring either in or out or his
territory.
owners OF lost or stolen cars and
victims OF hold-ups have recently re-
ceiyed from police officials such an
swers as these:
"Compla ints not received over the
phone" visit your police station
..cali at the Detective Bureau in city
Hall" I'VE have no one 10 send out
now"
Many thus treated have expressed
Indignation TO their political leaders.
with the result that Director Wilson
has been besieged with complaints.
Under the plan that is being urged
upon Director Wilson not only will every
patrolman become receiving station
: for complaints hut every police station
and every official connected with the
bureau will receive complaints and
promptly forward them to the bureau
in charge OF the particular class or
crime comrlained of.
Although Mayor Smith has repeatedly
said, ~ never interfere with my d-
rectors," he is believed to be back Of
the unusual activities OF the detective
bureaus and to be responsible in large
MEASURE for the general speeding up of
the processes of the police bureau.
Previous to the sending out of flying
squads Of detectives TO prevent crime in
various SECTIONS, DetecIlNt lFStfdnEe
and other trusted men OF Captain AL
fred l. Souders forces were seen enter
ing and leaving the Mayors office.
The old zone system has been insti-
tuted again. The detective force has
been called from City Hall and bands
of frsm FIVE to ten OF them are working
in various sections Of the city. A num-
ber OF patromen and plain-clothes men
have been added to the detective force
temporarily to combat the increasing
complaints of crime.
49, Citizens Armiog Themselves
Lacking confidence in the ability of
the police TO end the crimes, hundreds of
citizens have applied for permits to
carry firearms to protect their homes.
These men, reputable citizens. are apply
ing for the privilege at city Hall a. the
rate of more than twenty day. and
others make application at the different
station houses.
They are told that the police bureau
has no power to grant the privilege OF
carrying such weapons. They are in
formed. however. that IL they feel that
they can convince the magistrate. in the
event of any trouble arising, Of their
sincerity of purpose in carrying the
firearms, IL is a chance they are priv
ileged TO take. The department holds
forth no promise OF immunity