Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-28
COURTESY IS HELP
IN CITY DRIVING
Policeman Should Employ
Judgment With Offend.
ers, Says Officer.
BY X. ], ALLEN,

Member OF the Metropolitan Police Force.
There was broadcast throus hout the
country recently q story concerning \
HAverhill Mass, policeman. VINO 10
twas said. had inaugurated y policy
VI rewardins all those who avoided
breaking the Law for period Or one
year. lie started cut with The children
first by promising that lac would take
each one Who had been good for q
year ~ q grand picnic when summer
time rolled around.
This policeman. whose name Is
William Ii. FUreu. tried constantly IL
win the friendly regard VI ell the chill
dren OH his beat" as well as adults
His theory was that II policemen could
become friendly with the entire citi-
zenry OF tsle particular section OF the
city allotted 10 their care they would
find 1t easy 10 maintain law and order
with a rebuke here and q friendly warn.
ing there.
That he had q great idea is attested
to by the signal success his plan has
enjoyed. as we'll as the fact that 1t has
attracted Nationwide attention.
Should Have Appeal
appeal for many harassed Washington
the local police force Is bending every
effort 10 make as many trsfic arrests
as possible. Nor need they expect
mercy when they appear In court--for
the judges are almost without excep-
tion imposing maximum penalties.
On the day this was written there
were 247 tratfic arrests. or this mum.
Der there were SO speed cases. { Of
Colliding and failing to stop. Z Of driv-
ing while drunk. Z Of reckless driving
and lS4 minor infraetions.
Now I heartily approve Of the num-
Der Of arrests made for the above
enumerated serious charges. We ali
do. u course. but 1t seems TO me that
ment worked In the number OF arrests
for minor causes, II only the offlcer
involved had tried out few judicious
warnings and stern rebukes. or polite
ly called the motorists attention to the
regulation involved. A great many
motorists OF sterling qualities often
break minor regulations without being
aware Of the fact.
It is to this class that particularly
refer. l have found out by practical
experience as q policeman that the
la~-abiding. but eager " remain so.
Seldom Breaks kNlts.
A responsible business OF professional
man rarely ever Intentionally trans
crosses the law to any serious eXteht.
Sometimes, it's true, Ia the hurry and
absorbing demands VI business. lac will
commit miner nfracti0sls, or sumo pro-
feSsional man will Overstep the speed
limit b trifie. due to some exigenGy Of
his profession, but even then lie Is
e Il
50 to speak, had Travelled ahead Of his
body. They usually act surprised
when the Officer halts them.
II IL toward such men that I would
most strongly urge that care and dis
erection be shown, on the part Of my
brother officers. In the manner In which
they--the erring motorists-are han
died.
A good police Officer should keep in
mind at all times that there Is vast
difference indeed between needless.
reckless motorist who dispOrts himself
while driving his Car as II there wasn't
another person using the street but
himself, and a conservative, RESPONSE
BILE citizen who unwittingly or other
wise has committed some infraction
against the regulations. The first mem
toned type should undoubtedly be ham
died In stern fashion. Courtesy and
consideration on the part el an Omcer
are rarely ever appreciated by this type.
Indeed. such an attitude on the part Of
the Uflleer Is often mistaken by this
class as q sign Of weakness. TX they
are let of easily, they pride themselves
GA having put something ever, ~
they would phrase 1t.
Courtesy Prlzed.
While with the second mentioned
class. there Is q vast difference. Their
viewpoint Is entirely different. They
prize courtesy and consideration above
almost everything. and resent with a
corresponding degree OF bitterness any
other kind Of trea tment.
When such d drive is on Is is being
conducted ut present, / think every
one OH the law-enforcing side Is apt
TO become q little too enthusAd with
the spirit Of the thing. and be inclined
to be little too harsh. Then, too,
there is always the type Of officer who Is
seeking to make as big an arrest rec
ord for himself as possible, and who
thereby ID disinclined to accept any ex-
PLANTATION from the offender. The usual
rejoinder IN such case ID TELL II to
the Judge" FORTUNATELY there are very
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