East Cleveland leader. [volume] (East Cleveland, Ohio) 1942-1970, 1961-03-16
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In Fast Cleveland

ROC LINE. III OfOef 10 gam
better insight on night life in
East Cleveland, we spent the II
midnight to s a. m. shift last
Friday with Detective Ralph
Winters.
To our host and comrade for
the evening and to the 10 other
policemen on duty it was unusu-
ally quiet.
The meager activities to-
tailed one abulance run; a small
home fire; two arrests for
driving while intoxicated: an
assurance to a grandmother
that her children were all
right, even if they didn't re-
spond to her telephone. call
at 5 a. M, and one dog struck
by a ear.
AS we mustered in for roll
call, here was the plan of opera
tion for the shift:
1t. Thomas O'Brien in charge;
Patrolman Joseph Nally, desk
officer; Sgt. David Bidelman
and Patrolman Roy Olsen, gen.
eral patrol of the town; Patrol.
men William Gemlich> and Larry
Thompson covering the east end;
Robert Gill and Dale Schmeling
the north side; Earl Lefferts and
Leonard Sidener the west end
and Det. Winters and this writ
er covering the town.
If ever a time would be
where mo news is good news"
this would be it. We know of
the many risks policemen take
and were glad there were none
to be taken while we were
around.
Mostly, the job is a routine,
boring way to make living,
with the possibility of death OF
serious injury always lingering.
To US a night of quiet was
more interesting than if sirens
would have been screaming all
night.
1t points out the fact that
your police and fire departments
main concern are to be there-ifl
and when.
a good example was the small
house fire. 1t was merely case
of careless smoker and a burn
ing mattress. 1t could, of course,
have been much more serious.
However, the danger Of loss
of life or extensive property
damage were lessened because
of the police being in the area
and the firemen on the scene
within minutes.
Other interesting aspects of
our not SO adventuresome adven-
ture was staid old East Cleve- /;
land letting its hair down.
Be it in a bowling alley
where the thunder of ball
meeting ten pins brought
shouts of delight or at
neighborhood tavern where
men and women happily
danced an Irish jig under
NO Dancing" sign; it was ap-
parent the natives were not
restless were having
good time.
Another note of interest was
the reception Det. Winters re-
ceived in checking out some of +.
the taverns as part of his job.
No sneers from disrespect-
full bartender; no catcalls or
smirking from patrons as you
would see on television.
1t was a greeting of mutual
respect; that of the proprietor
for the law and the law for
the local businessman.
Det. Winters is probably as
typical police officer as you
can find. Handsome lin rug
ged sort Of fashion) he is big
and burly and congenial. He gar
ners his respect not because of
a badge and snub-nose .38 re-
volver at his hip but because of
his manner and appearance.
He probably explained the rea-
son he and 10 other policemen
were on duty as well as the most
roted author or writer could.
1t was early in the morning
and after releasing the ump-
teenth yawn we remarked I'M
passing a row of darkened
houses:
"We sure envy those people;
snug in their beds and sound
asleep"
Whereas, Det. Winters re-
piled: "They are more snug
and sleep sOunder because we
are here"