police

Snapshots: Col. Barstow’s Private Police Force, 1910

May 26, 1910- Caption from this Sun-Recorder photo: “Across from the Cathedral of St. Vitus on Lorimar Avenue, Col. Harrison Barstow demonstrates one of the new mechanical call boxes installed for his new police force, to begin operations Monday.”
Colonel Harrison Barstow was a wealthy man who had distinguished himself in the Spanish-American War. Upon returning home, he… »

The Blotter: Shots, Sheep, Sno-Cones

As a public service, The City Desk periodically offers up selected items culled from recent City police reports. (Note: More violent, standard items do not frequently show up here, as they are covered in the local papers with regularity.)
9:45 pm
Corner of Simcoe and Newbury Streets: Officers from the 27th Precinct respond to reports of shots… »

Friday Facts: Budget Woes, FDR, Himmler Bay

:: Estimated five-year city budget deficit awaiting Maribeth Cosgrove when she is sworn in as mayor on Monday: Over $650 million
:: Portion of the city budget in ten years that will have to be paid for pension and benefits, according to current union contracts : 61%
:: City union contracts up for renewal this year: Police,… »

Traffic Scofflaws Forced To Run Marathon

A judge has ended an experimental, controversial program to promote fitness among parking violators — but not before a determined Wilders administration compelled the city’s most chronic scofflaws to compete in what may be the grimmest marathon anywhere.
The past few days have seen frantic races to the finish, figurative and literal, as city attorneys stalled… »

The Blotter: Who Will Protect Gotham Now?

As a public service, The City Desk periodically offers up selected items culled from local police reports. (Note: More violent, standard items do not frequently show up here, as they are covered in the local papers with regularity.)
7:29 AM
700 block of Westmont Street: 26-year old man found sleeping in backyard hot tub of ex-girlfriend.
10:41 AM
1300… »

The Blotter: Potato Guns Are Surprisingly Illegal

As a public service, The City Desk periodically offers up selected items culled from local police reports. (Note: More violent, standard items do not frequently show up here, as they are covered in the local papers with regularity.)

7:23 am
3700 block of Pennsylvania Avenue: A group of students are arrested after carrying Davidson High School principal… »

Three Stooges Convention Turns Surprisingly Violent

A gathering of slapstick aficionados turned violent Saturday, requiring dozens of city police bearing shields and batons to quell the riot. It was the first conflict in the 13-year history of the Three Stooges Enthusiasts and Impersonators Annual Convention, held every year at the Westport Heights Sheraton & Conference Center.
The yearly event is part reunion,… »

The Blotter: Monster party, pets in trouble, misc.

As a public service, The City Desk periodically offers up selected items culled from local police reports.
9:17 pm
200 block of Euclid Avenue: A 7-year-old girl reports to 911 that “monsters are knocking at my door.” Dispatch sends a cruiser to reassure the girl, only to find people dressed as Frankenstein and the Werewolf knocking on… »

The Blotter: Mischief, Various

As a public service, The City Desk periodically offers up selected items culled from local police reports.
12:08 am
Harding Park, Officers disperse a group of people loitering in the park after hours. 1:01 am
3400 block of Spring Street: A woman reports excessive noise in adjoining house. The responding officers could hear nothing. 2:17… »

Suburban Towns Overwhelmingly Vote For County Police Force

When Governor VanNorden was elected two years ago, she promised reform and creative ways of saving taxpayers money. In a binding ballot referendum special election held throughout the state voters overwhelmingly approved the creation of county police forces to replace those of villages, hamlets, towns, townships and other municipalities.
The measure was only rejected in the… »