Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-15
Strengthen the Safeguards.


A police force cannot possibly be
ubiquitous. 1t cannot be everywhere
at once, covering all points, with
Argus eyes to see everything. at all
hours. 1t cannot possibly prevent all
nocturnal marauders from prowlinS.
all thieves from breaking in TO steal.
Not until the guardians of the law are
multiplied many fold can any city be
protected one hundred per cent
against robberieS and assaults.
But a police force that proceeds on
the assumption that thievery is in
evitable and that it cannot be pre-.
vented, and that accepts plundering
as the natural order of things, is in
danger of failing in efficiency. Such
is the conclusion of Maj and Supt.
Hesse, who has just given orders to
the Washington police department
that more activity in the safeguarding
of premises and in the detection of
crime must be shown, or there will be
drastic changes in personnel and as
signments to duty.
Washington is ordinarily a peace
full city. 1t has few disorders, and it
is the scene of comparatively few
crimes. It's merchants are not subject
ed to as many robberies of their es-
adjustments as are those of some
other places, where thievery flourishes,
as il with the aid rather than despite
the vigilance of the police. Yet there
have been frequent burglaries lately,
apparently practiced by professional
gangs, whose members have worked
without molestation, seemingly at
times with elaboration. as though
they had chosen the hours when they
knew they were secure from police
observation.
, 1t is an old trick of the criminal to
plan his operation with reference to
the established beat" of the patrol.
man. He knows almost to the minute
when he can enter the house or store
that he has marked down for vista
ton without being seen, and to the
minute how long he can remain with
in without risk Of being seen at work.
That is because of the system of pa.
trolling, which requires the men on
beat to be at certain places at certain
times. to report by telephone to head
quarters or station house as punctual-
~ as the night Waterman in a large
building is required to punch the
''time clock" on his rounds Of inspec-
ton.
Surprise is the element of success
in protective police work. OF course,
it is impossible to surprise all the
thieves who are prowling about, es-
pecially when they have studied the
police routine. But in Washington the
places in which the thieves are most
likely to operate are comparatively
few in number and are concentrated
in location. What is required most
urgently here is flying squadron of
thief catchers. who know the business
WuSEO are kept
overnight, and where highly valuable
goods are stored, goods that can be
quickly removed and easily marketed.
Such a squadron would most likely
catch more burglars than would the
regular force, operating on schedule,
vigllant and efficient as it may be.
Perhaps the hint of "shake.up" in
the force. with the possible return to
patrol duty of some of those now as
signed to detective headquarters, may
provide the needed stimulus to the or.
ganization. The formation Of a
night squad of special men, making
frequent but somewhat irregular
rounds OF the business district where
values are concentrated. would Ger.
tainly be of service, making Washing.
ton too risky field Of operation for
the professional yeggman to select.