NEW YORK POLICE

Hokitika Guardian, 23 August 1930, Page 6

NEW YORK POLICE

NEW YORK, July 5

With the extensive and intensive study of the causes of crime and of the manufacture of criminals, that has been going on for so long in the U.S. -

A., has come a new idea of the needs of the child, especially of the unfortunate child, who is handicapped by family or surroundings from birth. The study has gone from social circles to the police force, and a new and fine movement has been inaugurated in New York, whereby the children are t-o grow up henceforth to Recognise the police as their friends and'helpers, not as their natural enemies.

To herald the new day the'police of New York have made a most- dramatic commencement They have chartered for two days a. week for July and August, two of the most popular ferry steamers plying on the Hudson River, and for these two days every week they are ‘.taking capacity loads of children and their mothers from the cruelly stifling side-walks of the overcrowded areas for river picnics. Different gangs of police are going each time to get acquainted with their young guests and to familiarise them with the idea of friendship. The entire police force is taking part in it. Recently the city granted increases in pay for all ranks, and from this increase the men are deducting a percentage weekly for the two months to carry out tho scheme, . beginning with dollars (about 6s) far the lowest ranks, , and going up to 25 dollars for the. heads. Nobody outside the force is allowed to contribute; it is a .“Get together” scheme .between the police and those who may be called for want of a better, name, their patrons or - clients.. .V ~

. But this,is only the latest aspect of the new relationship between the police and the children. The members of the forces have been actively engaged for several years in a campaign to save the lives of children on the roads. They have, recently seen the reward of their persistence in the traffic regulations at schools. At every school in the State a policeman is on traffic duty at each entrance morning, noon and afternoon. The traffic has to await the safe transit of the scholars, whether they are alone or in groups. Not only so, hut the policemen take the honour form boys and train them for point duty. The senior boy is honoured by being given a wand of office, and no driver dare ignore that wand. The boy can pilot children across the road at any time, whether school is in or not. Naturally he takes this responsibility as a signal honour, and from the growing numbers .of boys with a sense of responsibility ;fpr children’s lives it is believed great;good will .come in the future. These boys carry their wands at all times and may act at any crossing for children.

Another forward to save the children’s lives where they cannot play elsewhere than on . the streets is to have proclaimed contained side streets “Play streets.” No 'vehiele/is allowed to drive up these streets unless the driver can prove, lie'is'delivering' goods to houses, off that the car is owned by a resident v on or for one. The children are safe, because even the traffic that is allowed must not gO' more than five miles an hour. The police ■ sav they" have-' cut down "" the" death rate from .street," accidents'' by these two precautions." They assert that one-fourth of ihe year’s; accidents takes place during the sulrrinier when schools are in recess. Therefore they have this year succeeded in gaining permission for every school ground to be kept open as a playground for its scholars, and in future the school grounds cannot be closed as soon as school is out. What this simple concession may mean cannot be told as yet, but'the police say they expect almost a crimeless and safe summer through these innovations. The streets breed •'crime as well as acci'ViffhqsMt- supervised play grounds, mr'-e Iffoffi h" I '’ nientaH : qif|[ifjphysical' w' 11-j'? : ipig, and 1 lie;police ffiavm'yQlun-; to"'•<*!;|o (s'" rvi.se tfie-;sc}i.qffi-'gi'oiinds' for bhc'|bjjt months .when tho pooler children' f i"not get p\vay from the over-crowded city. r -