The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1921-03-04
A LETTER OF INTEREST TO
TAXPAYERS

February IS, 1921.
To the People of Hunterdon County:
The general crime wave that
menaces the country, involving
murders, robberies and other high
misdemeanors, has become SO serious
as to call for intelligent countrywide
cooperative defensive and protective
measures that VIII in some degree les
sen the dangers to life and property
that our citizens are exposed to by
reason of the outlawry that appears
to be rampant at this time.
While this county has been remark
ably free from attacks from auto
bandits, bank robbers and other GAM
gerous criminals, our apparent I'M
guarded defenseless situation is an in
vitation to such men to come here to
operate. l address this letter to all
communities and citizens within our
county in the hope that the mayors
of our municipalities and other local
officials will take cognlzance of the
situation and adopt means to protect
the citizens of their respective COM
munities in cooperation with neigh
boring places and the county officials.
AS conditions are not the same in each
municipality, the representative citi-
zens in each place should meet and
determine just what measures they
are able and willing to take locally
and then get in touch with the county
officials SO that a countrywide plan of
action may be ready in the event of
need.
The most effective way to stop
crimes of this sort is to put those
who are engaged in these kinds of
occupations in jail, out they cannot be
put there if they are allowed to
escape. The present day automobile
bandit rides up to a bank, store or
residence where he thinks he will find
cash or negotiable securities, shoots
anyone who stands in his way, helps
himself to large amounts of money
and frequently drives away undis-
turbed by the helpless witnesses to the
crime. A little intelligent precaution
difficult and save the lives of friends
and neighbors, as well as their prop
erty.
For example, if a murder or rob
berry or other serious crime is COM
mitted in your community, there ought
to be way to quickly bring to the
soINl4C a IlutiiOCI VI etlll4GA illGIy IL llS
criminals get away from one place,
the surrounding towns ought to be
promptly notified SO that they could
be prepared to block the roads and
stop any automobile carrying crimi-
mails, doing this in prearranged way
that should afford the maximum
amount of safety to themselves. Word
should be sent at once to the Sheriff
Il 10, %, -,44s l..
lay in spreading the alarm will prob
ably aid the escape of the criminal
Likewise, the county officials should
be informed as to who to notify in
given locality in case they learn that
a band of criminals is headed that
way. Telephone and telegraph oper-
ators should be given written instruc-
ton as to who to notify the instant
they are informed that crime has
been committed, so that all available
protective agencies may be promptly
utilized. If volunteer guards are or
ganized, l will grant the accredited
members thereof permits to carry fire.
arms in order that they may be armed
and ready to act.
l make these suggestions because
am confident that if our defenseless
and exposed situation is called to your
attention that some means will be
adopted for mutual protection. In case
a bank burglar alarm should ring, if,
instead of lot of defenseless, empty
handed men, women and children re-
spending and standing helplessly by,
we had few sturdy armed men on
call they might accomplish much.
know that Sheriff England, Prosecutor
Able and County Detective Ham will
gladly cooperate with all who will
take an interest in the matter. In
some places members Of the American
Legion have generously volunteered
their services, which, | am sure, will
be very valuable in an emergency. 1t
would be unfortunate, indeed, if we
failed to take the precautionary steps
by united action that present condi-
tons require.
Very respectfully,
GEORGE K. LARGE.