The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-03-19
CRIME CONTROL
InRoCk ISLAND
IS COMMENDED


There was q marked reduct1on
In crime in Rock Island during the
last year and this city has an en-
viable reputation throughout the
state for law enforcement during
the last year, according to Will
Colvin, superintendent Of the state
division pardons and paroles.
Mr.. Colvin says that 1t Is pecul-
iarly noted that in Rock Island, Pc
oria, Springfield, East st. Louis and
Decatur, where crime has been
less during the year 1920 than in
former years. the closest coopera-
ton 10 had between the state pa
role authorities and the police de-
partments.
Chicago's crime increased during
the last year and this record
stands out in contrast to the con-
ditions in downstate cities.
Shadow On Moline Record.
In q few scattering instances
slight increases in the number Of
crimes during the closing weeks
Of the year were reported. This
condition prevailed at Danville and
Champaign. The Moline police re-
ported q material decrease in crime
but the year was made exceptional
by several sensational robberies.
In the few cities which reported an
increase in crime during the year
the total was almost invariably
swelled in petty offenses.
There are salient points Of the
report Of Mr.. Colvin based on
study of statistics furnished by po-
lice chiefs, sheriffs and states
attorneys in over 60 cities and
counties, who were interviewed by
agents sent out by the board OF
paroles. The survey covered Rock
Island, Moline, East Moline, Gales
burg, Dixon, Sterling, Kewanee,
Monmouth, Freeport, Rockford, Mt.
Morris and Ogle county, Belvidere,
DeKalb, Wheaton, Elgin, Aurora,
Woodstock, Peoria, Macomb, Bush
nell, LaHarpe, Canton, Farming
ton, Lewistown, Astoria, Havana
Rushville, Watseka, Bloomington
Pontiac, Danville, Champaign
Nation, Sullivan, Robinson
Springfield, Decatur, Scott county
Morgan county, Jersey county, East
st. Louis, Alton, Granite City.
Flora, Albion, Murphysboro, Mt
Vernon, Lawrenceville, Centralia
Salem. Waterloo, DuQuoin, Pinck.
neville, Fairfield, Mt Carmel
Olney, Nashville, Carmi, Louisville
West Frankfort, Marion, Harris.
burg and Cairo.
Wars Heighten Crime.
The survey was made to ascer'
tain to just what degree the rest Of
the state was affected by the 80
called crime wave Of last year. Ii
making the report public MIR. Cal
vim renewed his defense Of the pa
role laws and attributed crime in
crease to effects Of the war.
History reveals that vast Grim,
waves have followed great wars,
he said. AFTER the Grecian war.
large bands Of bandits preyed up
on the people. Suppression o
crime became an important prob
lem. Similar conditions followel
the Napoleonic wars and suppress
sion Of crime again occupied tn,
attention Of the people. The depre
dstions and crimes Of the Jane
and Younger brothers, and othe
like organizations of thieves o
lesser notoriety following the civi
war are yet fresh in the memory o
many people.
Crime conditions in America an,
the other countries, following tn
World war, are no different thai
they were after other great wars il
which people were taught to figh
and kill.
> Parole Not Responsible.
Parole laws in various state
are not responsible for crime
which follow wars although the