Imperial Valley press., 1928-04-16
SERTICE-NOT POLITICS


A week ago today there was reason for difference
. ~ political opinion in Ell Cenro because it was elec-
ton day and it is the right and proper thing for each
ballot way
The election is over now, and as the Press stated
oeIoIe occurred regardless of the outcome, there
must be only object before the city counc-service
Tor the best interests of ALL the citizens of Ell Centre
factions
1t has been the hope of this publication that what
ever differences of opinion existed among the council
men previous to election that the latter would settle
them and clear the decks for action directed only
toward the progress and prosperity of this city.
- The new council is scheduled to organize tonight
Gays past there have been ruors of this and that
cnange to be made in the officials employed by the
city Most of these rumors the Press has discounted
as beng idle gossip, believing that the pledge of
business administration will be carried out
There has, however, been a very definite rumor in
dicatlng a change in the police department. involving
proof that Chief OsWat has been an inefficient police
executive, we believe that change at this time will
not be for the best interests of the city and will not
ton"
Chief osvalt has given the city of Ell Centre the
best police service it has ever had.
The Press makes that. statement with full recog-
ntlon OF what 1t means for aside from the police them
selves no agency is closely in touch with police work
rs newspaper The writer knows and the Press files
can bear out the truth Of the statement that there has
been less major crime in this city in the past two years
IMAM ever before There has also been great decrease
in petty crime
There was not a single street holdup of citi-
zen reported all this past winter, and only two the
Wlnter before, something unique in the history of the
city in previous winters the large number of float
ers VINO came here plus the nefciency of the police
department, made for unusually large number of
street hold-ups and house burglaries
Under the police plan organized and brought to a
state OF efficiency by Chief Oswalt there no more
congregatng Of officers at Fifth and Main street. sole
~ for the purpose of passing the time away Every
officer must work At night bicycle squad patrols
every street IN the city automobile patrols the bust
ness section, and VERY policeman calls into head
quarters stated intervals during the night Signal
lights have been placed throughout the city that in
of emergency officers can communicate with head
quarters Immediately and with no loss of time Calls
coming IN during the night answered in less than
five minutes.
that prevailed previous to Chief OsWat taking COM
mand Of the department. BUT 1T is WORTH IT
me czeh whose We or daughter must use the streets
after dark knows 1t IS worth it; the know is
worth it; and the businessman knows it is worth it,
The CRIMINAL alone thinks it is not a good plan.
Organized vice has been cleaned out of the city
There may be places Of bad repute in existence but
they fewer than before and the American city
IN which they are not present does not exist They
longer conduct their business openly in Ell Cenro and
where it has been possible to obtain evidence against
them they have been closed down and the inmates
arrested.
The same statement goes for the Illegal sale Of
liquor. Unquestonably there is liquor being sold
in Ell Centre today 1t is hard TO obtain evidence and
make arrests, but where 1t has been possible to do
the police have done their duty and brought the Of
Tenders into court, the court records Will attest
Above all, there has been clean, conscientious
effort TO give service TO the citizen and taxpayer
Chief Oswalt has frowned upon "hard-bood" tactics
by any of his men, and has set them an example by
dealing with the public in fair and gentemanly
manner something unique in police circles. He has
the respect and confidence Of the best citizens of
El Cearo and any citizen with a legitimate complaint
or suggestion has been given courteous consideration,
His proficiency in the Spanish language is decided
asset the city
If the city council can refute the statements made
here and prove that Chief Oswalt has not been
Efficient that he has given the city the best
ices it had and that change will be for the best
interests Of the city, the Press is open argument and
willing to be convinced to the contrary. Until that
proof can be given, urge he city council to give FL
Centre the business administration" that was pledged
ard relegate petty politics to the background.