Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-02-10

sons taken to hospital. 10; recluse
found and taken care of, 2: runaways
returned to Good Will Farm. Q; run
Always returned to parents, 8: runaway
teams, 8; safe reported unlocked, /;
stolen automobiles recovered, 6: stolen
automobiles not recovered, 8; stolen
bicycles recovered, 10; stolen goods
returned to owners (value $175450)
stolen money returned to owners
$133): street lights reported out, 46;
suicides, g.; talks to school children on
traffic, 2; windows found open, Al.
There Is much that could be added to
this reported that should be of inter-
est to all the taxpayers. Some things
OF special interest must be mentioned.
Early in the season a parking sys-
tenn for the streets in the business Sec
ton was worked out, thereby relieving
the congestion. facilitating traffic and
increasing the parking facilities over
SO per cent. on Main street.
In order to increase the efficiency
of the department and to prevent rep
etition of breaks made early in the
summer, the three platoon system was
adopted in the early fall on Main
street business section. Under the old
system there were Is hours of the "a
that two patrolmen were on duty
leaving nine hours with only one. Now
that same section is covered by two
men at all times.
In the south end of the city an
additional patrolman was placed on
day duty during the school vacation
months. This was for the purpose
of keeping order and quiet for those
who worked nights and must of nec-
essity sleep days. On the fate, So
called, a patrolman was placed on
night duty for several months which
relieved an undesirable condition
there.
A talking lamp or signal was in
stalled at Post Office square which
helped to control traffic at that point
in the absence of traffic officer. 1t
is felt that similar signals installed
at other intersections would aid
greatly in preventing accidents.
The writer strongly recommends
that the police department be placed
under civil service as soon as pos
sible for the following reasons:
l Because of the waste of money
in the breaking in of new men each
SSuI VI cOs CCNClhi yCdI WOulu DS
required to make any group of men
proficient in police work. no one
would think of conducting a bust
ness proposition in similar manner;
ca because of the uncertainty of the
work, we are sometimes unable to
get the right type of men to enter
police work, and if we do succeed in
developing any Of them into efficient
officers. it is only a question of time
before they will be discarded with
the change of administration: go
with a change of department head
each year there is no definite de-
velopment program for building an
efficient department.
The present equipment is unmod-
ern and far below the standard for
cities of this size. The writer is not
recommending the immediate pur-
chase of the following equipment, but
it is nevertheless needed if the de-
partment is to function efficiently:
% A combination ambulance and
patrol to replace the truck now in
use. There have, been many in
stances during the past year when
such vehicle was needed and in one
instance would have saved a life; CD
A motorcycle is needed for traffic
duty and residential protection on
the west side and on the outskirts
of city, not covered at the present
time; go A modern telephone signal
system is needed to replace the pre-
sent obsolete system which has been
of little use for several years, and is
now out of commission entirely; ca
an auxiliary motor unit Is needed, as
many times the patrol is out on duty
and a hurry call comes i'll and the
department is unable to function I'M
less personal cars o fits members are
used.
During the past year the following
equipment has been purchased for
the patrolmen: Caps, badges. twist
ers, traffic belts. holsters. three new
guns and 500 rounds of ammunition
a spot light and signal for the pa
troll. The electric talking lamp in
stalled at Post Office square has al
ready been mentioned.
1t is sufficiently evident that the
police department has had the con-
fidence and wholehearted support OF
the citizens of Waterville else they
could not have SO successfully car
ried out the program the past year
has called for. They appreciate the
confidence and support to their eff
forts to make this city a better and
safer place in which to live and build
our homes.
The public must realize that there
is much to learn in regard to the
several angles of police work. the
suppression of crime. keeping of or
der, handling of traffic. and proven
ton of accidents. Primarily our func-
ton is to prevent than cure. This
has been our objective.
Naturally this department has
made mistakes. coming into Office
handicapped in many ways. with no
practical training in police work. and
with inadequate equipment. This
department has throughout the year
striven to keep the public's interest
as a paramount consideration, and
wishes to thank Judge Atchley, Re-
corder Letourneau, the city officials
and county officers for their support
and cooperation toward that end.
FRANKLIN d. GASKELL
City Marshal.