The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-03-12

Reports To Commendanf
Il Is the duty Of the Shore Patrol
to report to the Commandant con-
ditions such az gambling and the
illegal sale OF alcoholic beverages.
1t. Urech stated that the Shore
Patrol has jurisdiction over Naval
personnel only while they are on
liberty. He stressed that the Shore
Patrol tries to maintain friendly
relations with civilian authorities.
When it is necessary for the
Shore Patrol to question a service
man, whether he is in uniform or
civilian clothes, they must give
complete information as to name,
rank, ship or station, but the Pa
troll 10 instructed to be courteous
In such instances.
Not q Punitive Group
The Senior patrol officer stress.
ed that it is not the duty of the
Shore Patrol to punish violators.
The night stick is carried for the
protection Of the Patrol. They are
not allowed to beat up any one they
are trying to apprehend.
As 1t. Urech humorously put it,
IF man is hurt, he must be sent
to sick bay, and the tax payers
don't get their moneys worth. We
Like to keep our men healthy so
they can 90 to work the next morn
ing"
The Shore Patrol has no authori-
ty over civilians, except to require
them to identify service men in
volved in a disturbance with civ
ilians. The Shore Patrol has no au-
thority to turn service man over
to municipal, county, or state au-
thorities.
FBl Can Help
In certain instances, the Federal
Bureau of Investigation can inter-
vene. The Shore Patrol has the
right to testify in cases involving
service personnel and civilians.
Shore Patrol personnel may be
assigned to ride in civilian police
vehicles for the purpose of appre-
bending and taking into custody
service men who ''break the
peace" or are involved In any
misdemeanor.
II is the sole responsibility of
the Shore Patrol In this area to
maintain order in Naval Housing
Units, such as Sigsbee Park and
Peary Court, since the State has
ceded all rights to the Govern
ment. Cases involving civilians
living In the area are referred to
Federal authorities.
QvsIIins Disturbances
The Shore Patrol has the auth
GRITTY to enter private establish
ments In the event a disturbance
involves military personnel, or in
a case such rs 4 riot, where in
PREVENTION is for the good Of the
community"
1t. Urech said that the Navy
takes faction only after careful
investigation" He said that civil
ian complaints against Navy per-
sonnet should be referred to the
Shore Patrol, which then notifies
the offenders commanding officer.
In turn, the commanding officer
investigates the complaint and re-
commends the proper procedure
in the case.
Effect o. Drafs
In closing, 1t. Urech said that
since the Selective Service law be.
came effective, many men are in
the services who would not other
wise be 4 member of any branch
OF the military, and urged his
audience to remember that while
other peoples sons are serving
in the Key West Area, your sons
may be serving on other bases. &"
In answer to 4 question by one
Of the Rotary members, 1t. Urech
said that each command in the
area furnishes 4 certain number
OF men and that "the reason some
OF them are small, is because size
has nothing to do with brains, "
and that the Shore Patrol person