NJ PROBATION COLLECTION: RANK SET OF ESSEX PROBATION BADGES

Essex County (N.J.) is where I grew up. It was where I started a career in probation in 1965. I had to purchase my own badge, due to budgetary issues, back then. Over the years I bought more than one. It is only natural that I obtained these badges from this department as part of my collection.

The four shields pictured represent the rank groups that were authorized badges. The four ranks are: Officer, Principal Officer, Assistant Chief, and Chief. These were the only badges issued in a uniform manor, with appropriate record keeping in place.

Prior to this issue of the pictured badges a few shields were purchased by the department, or officer, and recycled. This practice died in the 60's. From then until the late 80's everyone was on their own. Some officers did not have badges, but most purchased 'something.'

Uniformity was non existent. Officers purchased what they liked or what they could afford. The department maintained no records of these private purchases. In the late 1980's that changed, as the department approved the design in the badges pictured here. Records were also kept.

H Buchlien & Son made the badges in this rank set. They made the official badges from the mid 80's until 1994. Hard to believe that was fifteen years ago when the County probation departments became part of a State run system. The State took about a year or so to issue their own badge rendering these beauties obsolete.

There are not many collectors of probation badges. That makes obtaining them extremely difficult, but it also makes those that have been acquired a true treasure. These four have a prominent spot, under glass in my museum, and certainly bring back fond memories.

THE OLD COURTESY CARD

How many times have you heard someone say that they got pulled over for doing 98 in 25 mph zone, or something like that. Usually they exaggerate a little because, as they explain: "I had my old courtesy card my friend gave me." "The officer let me go with a warning."

Well in my life I never got pulled over for speeding. At least I won't admit it. My memory is very fuzzy on such subjects. I had to use my own cars to do the job. I had at fist a Chevy S/S with "four on the floor." I later graduated to the slick Pontiac Firebird. This one had an automatic "tranny" with the shift in a neat floor console. These cars could do a lot better than 98 mph, but there weren't many locations to do better than the speed limit,, except out on the highways.

There were a few major roads that skirted the City Limits. Down by the airport US 1, US 22 and The NJ Turnpike all came together. Newark Police patrolled these highways and effectively deterred speeders. The City was serious about this so, instead of buying the usual Ford or Chevy, the City spent some real dollars and purchased a couple of Chrysler 300's, with five speed manual transmissions. I understand these cars were outrun by nobody.

My specialty was parking. As a Probation Officer I found it necessary to park illegally in order to do the job, especially in Newark. It was just not safe to find a legal spot to park your car, and then walk a half block or so, to a poorly maintained 'walk up,' unlighted, multiple family castle. In situations like this the "Courtesy Card" was of no help, an official placard on the windshield only invited trouble, and occasionally the "ticket patrol" got you.

If you parked legally on the job there was a good chance you could lose your car. Newark on a few occasions has lead national statistics for auto theft. In addition to simple theft of a your vehicle there was a very real possibility of having the car vandalized. While you were interviewing some druggie in his lavish palace, his neighborhood pals could be: cutting tire valves, breaking a window, mirror, antenna, taking the battery, or just running a screw driver along the side of the car. This was common practice on the streets of Newark, and you had to find ways to deal with it. On many occasions the illegal parking spot was a good choice.

The logic behind unsanctioned illegal parking was for the officer (usually working solo) to get in, and get out as quick as possible. Do the job, and don't hang there any longer than necessary.

The problem with this tactic was the occasionally ticket. Dealing with that was preferred over losing the car. In these situations a sympathetic judge was better than the old courtesy card. Pictured above is a really old "NJ State P.B.A." card for local 3. This card was for "Honorary Membership" for the year 1945. It is in "like new" condition and, while not a badge, has a spot in my collection.

The badge, also pictured above, is "supposedly" from the "gang" that patrolled the parking meters around City Hall. It too is in excellent condition, although I have my doubts about it being authentic. I have had it close to thirty years so I think I will keep it as it reminds me of a few tickets obtained around City Hall, and Newark Municipal Court.

NEWARK COLLECTOR DELIVERED GET WELL CAKE FROM 1500 MILES AWAY

In the Sep. - Oct. edition of PC News, this writer displayed a picture of a badge from "Dreamland" in Newark, N.J. With the picture was a story about the famous Newark Roller Skating arena, that was turned into a Senior Citizen Home. The seniors had at least one guard to watch out for them, and that guards badge made its way into "the collection" about thirty years ago. It is from the late 1940's.

A fellow collector of Newark Badges saw the article and sent a very nice note regarding his memories of the area, and his responding as a Newark Police Officer to that location on many occasions. He is Frank Doneghy.

Since sending that note he and I have been trading emails. The badge talk has sparked memories of different people we both knew. Sharing those conversations, 1500 miles apart, has made the badge collector world move a little closer for both of us.

In Frank's last email he told me he was getting a "knee job" up near his home in Jersey. The surgery as I hear went well, and I surprised him with this cake.

My daughter, Denise, gave it to him as she is the nurse on his case. He was sure surprised with the explanation as to who arranged this Get Well Cake for him. I certainly hope it lifts his spirits.