HUGE CRIME WAVE

Hokitika Guardian, 23 December 1920, Page 2

HUGE CRIME WAVE

FLOAVING THROUGH AMERICA. GREAT PRECAUTIONS TAKEN. ' SHOOTING THUGS AT SIGHT.' [BY TELEGRAPH PER PRESS ASSOCIATION] AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. (Received This Day at 8.40 a.m.) NEAV YORK Dec 21. Reports from Toledo, Chicago, Cincinatti, Boston, Philadelphia and® other large American cities indicate an unpre- . cedented crime wave of hold-ups, robberies, and burglaries attended with violence and murders reaching an unus- ; ually high number. . Chicago has appointed an ex-newspap-er man as Police Commissioner, who has revitalised the police force. They now shoot down all criminals caught in the act. The' Commissioner declared Chicago has not had an unsolved murder or hold-up for six weeks, which is considered a record.

The New .York police force lias been increased by 1,200 men, to cope with the situation. Robberies and murde.rs continue, how.ever, despite thq best efforts of the police. Chicago and New York have adopted a scheme of utilising high power motor cars, carrying ex-Army sharpshooters, with repeating rifles, to patrol the city and shoot down tliugs and robbers. United States District Attorney, Mr Mildeberger of New York, has issued ' an appeal to the public to form a Citizen’s 'League to suppress crime. Mayor Hollan has ordered' citizens to arm themselves. The newspapers carry large advertisments couneilling the populace how to avoid robberies. Insurance companies declare if the robberies continue, they will be compelled to give up,anti-theft insurance. Judges throughout the country are increasing the hail for apprehended criminals, speeding up trials and giving a maximum sentence. .

Local hanks and Fifth Avenue shops are fortifying against robbers, employing special armed ex-service men as guards. The explanation of the crime wave is that the war tanglit us firearms and unemployment and the increasing pyscliological effect of the war.