The Medina sentinel. [volume] (Medina, Ohio) 1888-1961, 1919-12-19

MAIL BAG
We assume no responsibility for
sentiments herein expressed; we
print these letters to give to our
readers some say on topics of gen.
eral interest.
THE NIGHT WATCHMAN
AND HIS BEAT

AND HIS BEAT
Editor Sentinel: The hiring of a
public servant is often big item in
the success or safety of community,
whichever episode comes to figure in
the proposition. Too many times it
becomes a question of politics, or the
providing Of a lucrative job for some
one who is anxious to fill the place, or
whose friends wish to land him in a
place where he can make his living
and relieve his friends from carrying
the load-he is no good in the busi-
ness world, can't make his own living,
his friends are carrying the load and
wish to shift it to the shoulders Of
the community, thus saving their own
face.
The question of fitness plays small
part in the giving over of the posi-
ton; the question of the public carry
ing the load answers all questions. As
concrete example to figure from:
The average community puts into
Office as marshal or night watchman
some lazy fellow who won't work, but
delights in wearing police badge.
He knows nothing about the business,
would be easy prey to any organized
bunch of crooks, and though he may
be honest enough in his intentions
don't understand the workings of the
CROOKS mind, and knows nothing
about the way these people operate:
The reason the town is not robbed
some night is because some better
town has been as lax as your own,
and why come to town of 5000
when there are others of 10000 or
$4,000 that offer as easy a means OF
robbing and escaping as does your
own.
Where choice has been made of a
town-always one where the police
protection is nil or weak-the "far-
mer" is sent in to fix things; that is,
to look over the town. chart the busi-
ness places offering best opportunl-
ties, chart the places to get tools
with which to do the work (not dar-
ing to carry their own to obviate that
opportunity of tracing them), seek
out the regular routine OF the police
in case they show any life or alert
ness.
If the watchman is an honest fel-
low. and his rounds are short and
take little time, he must be gotten
out of the way in some manner. he
may be lured away and made drunk
may be caught and bound, or may be
sent on a wild goose chase after an
imaginary robber. The gang may
even go so far as to steal something
or attempt to break in some place
where he will see them and give
chase, in this way getting him out OF
town; in some cases really stealing
something of considerable value anc
keeping just ahead until the officer is
out of reach and cannot get back OF
his beat soon enough to interfere
with the big robbery, which is pulled
during his absence.
The wise officer don't leave his own
town and go out into the countr!
chasing some dog thief, even if h'
has reason to believe he can catcl
the thief. He is hired to give pro
lection to his home town, not u
chase every Tom, Dick and Harr.
that comes along and nettles him
and he isn't hired to help any one els
If in doing so he must uncover hi
own beat and make it possible TO
some one to come in during his alb
sence. This is one of the most pop
ular schemes of getting rid of a
officer while a neat job is pulled; an
not one officer in ten now on duty i
the State of Ohio, outside the cities
knows anything about such matters
Every merchant in town the siz
Of Medina best watch after his ow
affairs, and note the comings and &c
ings Of strangers. Every blacksmit
and machine shop should keep a
tools well secured. In doing this yo
may be protecting the whole CON
munity. It would be an easy thing t
pun big robbery here by a wis
gang if an eye was ever cast thi
way.
An ounce of prevention is wort
two Of cure. Is there anyone in tow
who knows a thing or two who eve
gives the night man a tip? If yo
were to see something strange woul
you tell your police or go on hon
with this information and let yor
watchman find it out; perhaps at til
end of a robbery where he was d'
signedly kept out of the way of til
gang? It is best to lock the barn b.
fore the horse is stolen; who know
but your horse may be the one undt
covetous eye right now. Talk
your night man occasionally; tell hi
anything you know and quiz him as
what he has recently seen and know
= = q a q q =