Watchman

What's so interesting about a "Watchman" badge?   I wasn't impressed initially until I did some research on the NPD.

History reveals, and this may be hard to believe, but there was crime in Newark during the evening hours. The citizens needed protection, and City Government responded. They hired "Watchmen" circa 1844. During their evening tours of duty Newark's citizen slept in peace. In 1852 they were ordered Blue Uniforms and a star shaped badge. I wish I had one of those early (Newark Star) shields.

In 1857 the Patrolmen and Watchmen were merged into the Newark Police Department. The "Watchmen" title faded away; but 150 years later their are traces of their history.

The "Watchmen" badge pictured above just might be part of the insignia worn by these early Newark's lawmen. The badge is hallmarked "Hoag & Co" which was an old Newark manufacturer of badges. It also may have been used in private security.

This item didn't cost much, so I won't go broke for having purchased it. On a positive note it caused me to learn something of the Watchman's history. Perhaps, in another world, the Newark Watchmen are still on patrol. I hope so.

No Badge Here

As I look at my collection of badges a couple of sad memories entered my mind. I'll address one in this post, and the others "down the road.".

I graduated West Side H.S. in 1961. That was the year Roger Maris hit 61, and "The Mick" hit 54. I remember those guys even though I am a Dodger fan. My hero in 1961 was still "The Duke of Flatbush." Los Angeles was now the home of Duke Snider. He was near the end of his baseball career.

Yeah, High School was over in June of 1961. The Summer, for the most part, was the last time a lot of us ever saw each other. We played a lot of baseball up at Ivy Hill Park. When September came it was off to college for me. The future looked bright.

A guy who graduated in my class was a fellow name John Gutenkunst. We lived in different neighborhoods, we had different friends, and we never hung out together. He too had a bright future, and he was just beginning his career with the Newark Police Department.

Four years later I graduated college. It was 1965. I got a job as a Probation Officer in Essex County, partly because my Dad knew Chief Mulligan, but that's another story. Now, four years after graduating high school, I had lost track of just about everyone I knew from "The Burg," "West Side," and "Ivy Hill Park." That included John.

In October I heard John's name again. It was Oct. 16, 1965. He was a Rookie Officer in the police academy. He was looking forward to graduating and getting his badge. It never happened. On that day he had the misfortune of seeing someone hit his car. He approached the guy to question him. The guy had a gun. John was shot and killed.

While I wasn't close to John this event is something I still remember.

DREAMING

   

 How is it possible that the word "Dreamland" is associated with Newark, NJ and my interest in badges?

First of all, you almost have to be a world class spelling champ to properly explain "Dreamland." It has origins going back to the 1920's in the days of dance and jazz. The Weequahic Park section of Newark was its home. The actual address was located at 985 Frelinghusen Ave.

Billed as the "America's Newest and Largest Roller Skating Rink," it opened in Oct. 1941. I am happy to say that was before my time. I may have seen 985 Frelinghuysen Ave, but I never saw Dreamland. I do recall Weequahic Park, its lake, and the Trotter races.

Somewhere after WW II Dreamland became a memory. It was soon followed by the "gray patrol" or the Senior Citizens. I am not sure exactly why needed security officers, but they did and they were issued nice badges.. The one pictured above is around sixty years of age and carries the number - 1.That's special.

I

Back to The Beginning -1967

1967 was a volatile year. It was 4 years after JFK met an assassins bullet in Dallas. Viet Nam was a "popular" subject across the country. Racial tensions were prevalent in most large urban areas. 

Newark was a dangerous city in July of 1967. There was a spark and the City erupted. Gun fire, was to say the least, not uncommon. Buildings were set on fire. Fireman were shot at by snipers. Buildings were looted. Businesses were destroyed. In the months and years that followed city blocks literally disappeared. For years the area looked like a war zone. Newark today is another story, but not my story. 

My father worked during the riots at HQ, and said he saw action only from a distance. He was posted on the roof of HQ on Franklin St. It was "my shotgun" that he borrowed, while I had the good fortune to be honeymooning in the Bahamas. 

This my father on the left in his N.P.D. Uniform - Badge # 30. He served for 37 years, retiring as a Detective, assigned to HQ.

When I returned to work in the Probation Department a Life Magazine was on my desk. It came with an assignment to Investigate and Report.

I was to investigate this "shooting," pictured on the magazine's cover,  to determine if the "victim" was the same person as the young man on juvenile parole in the State of Alabama. He was one in the same. I still have the the magazine and it is pictured below. 

Strangely the picture on the cover does not convey the fact that there was: "no serious injuries, superficial wound, etc." 

A couple of weeks after the "Riot," My father obtained this retirement badge from an old friend. He later gave it to me. It was the first of a couple badges he gave me. Now, half a century later I proudly display it, along with a couple hundred other fine badges I have collected over the years..

1974 MEMORIES

When my father died in 1974 he left a couple of personal items for me. The First item was an American Red Cross "Life Savings Medal" for rescuing a young man who was drowning. This was in the 1930's. The medal is dark and doesn't photograph very well so it is not included here, but is a major memory. For this post I will just focus on Badges and the Traingle Patch. 

The next item were my fathers old Detective Shield; and  his old Triangle Patch. They are both in pretty good condition, although you may observe the "not so good" replacement of number 70 on the lower panel. 

In addition to the Detective Badge I have also been able to secure a set of  Patrolman Badges  worn by my father. I do not know why he was  issued Number 111, and then Number 30.  I have photographs showing my father in uniform wearing both badges so I know the numbers are correct.

From   these items my interest in Badges became clear. Thirty some years later I am still collecting. Down the road I will post more about my collection, and some memories. Hope you enjoy this first post.