Americus times-recorder., 1919-10-17
'INEFFICIENCY OF
POLICE SCORED
in CITY COUNCIL.
Department Needs New
Chief, Alderman
Tells Body.

lnefficiency in the police depart
ment, particularly as concerns the
chief of police, came in for severe
scoring by Alderman Burke at the
meeting of the city council Iast
night, as a result of which a new
chairman of the councils police and
fire committee was named, and it was
indicated that an effort will be rnade
to improve the work of the depart
ment
We are not getting proper polic@
protection in this city," said Mr.
Burke, addressing the other members
of the body, arising when "new busi-
ness" was reached in the order of
procedure. A couple of weeks age
this matter was up before the Rotary
club, and committee was apopinte&
to take it up with the proper author
lties and see if something could NOT
be done to remedy the situation. But
upon advice this committee did nCa
carry out its intentions, it being be-
lieved that better results could be
obtained by letting the matter be
handled otherwise. However the sit
uation does not seem to improve. Tbs
department. seems TO be working
without any head. The men seem
not to know what to do and to have
no one who can tell them.
"A few days ago | saw truck
speed past policeman. / stepped uy
to him and asked him why he let that
man go by in that manner He look
ed inside little book he carried, and
then said he didn't have any orders.
"On circus day Cotton avenue was
blocked with show wagons for hours
| asked policeman why he let that
condition exist, and ne said he didn't
have any orders.
"a few days ago a call came to-
headquarters that crazy negro was
attacking people right and left over
on North Lee street. No one was a4
the station, and Chief Naylor, of the
fire department, took the call. He ran
and found a policeman and told him
of the frantic call for help and pro-
lection of the people OF that sectiors
but this policeman refused to go, say
ing he couldn't leave his beat.
Somebody is not giving the proper
orders.
"a few days ago went to head
quarters to get some informatioE
about negro who was working for
me who ha dgotten into trouble, but
it was 10 or II o'clock before could
get it, because the mead of the de-
partment wasn't on the job.
81 do not say police chief should
stay at headquarters all the time, fox
he should be looking after the busi-
ness of the department at all times,
going here and there whenever and
wherever OCCASION calls, but do
think he should get up in the morn
ings. The city is being criticised
and is going to suffer unless we get a
chief who is.on the COB"
At the coGclusion of this scoring
of the department, Mr.. Burke sug-
gested that Alderman Horton, chair
man of the police and fire committee
be replaced by man who is active in
the council. 81 do tn1s," he said, "be~
cause know it would be Mr.. Hor-
toms wishes were he mere. Mr.. Hor-
toms business has taken him away
from the city so that he has been
able to attend only two meetings this
year. He has not resigned his seat
for the sole reason that to do so would
necessitate the calling of special
election, and the making of unneces-
sary expense. He would thoroughly
approve this course"
Upon this suggestion, Mayor Shep-
pard announced the appointment Of
Alderman w. E. Taylor, a member
of the committee, to the chairman
ship, with Aldermen Mashburn and