THE NEWARK ENFORCER: TONY IMPERIALE

Out of the smoke and fires of the Newark Riots emerged a man who was a Giant. He was a no nonsense advocate of "law and order." He ruled the North Ward and provided "protection" for his neighbors, as well as several other community services.

He was known to all as Tony. His full name was Anthony Imperiale. He is still a legend even though he is no longer with us. Tony died Dec. 28, 1999 at the age of 68.

In life he had caught the eye of many. To some he was a baseball bat wielding racist, while to others he was a god.

Gov. Richard Hughes called his supporter "brownshirts." This was in response to Imperiales' street patrols in the North Ward. To his detractors Tony stated: "When the Black Panther comes, the white hunter will be waiting."

His patrols lasted for two years, ending only when he won a seat on the City Council. He later won a State Assembly seat as an Independent candidate, and a Senate seat as a Republican.

He established his own private detective and security service, and organized the North Ward First Aid Squad. He never denied an individual service because of race. If he could help someone he did just that.

For years Tony was a fixture in Newark's Columbus Day parades He always did something to get the crowd laughing or cheering for him such as driving a TANK on Broad Street. In another parade he dressed up as a gladiator and stood on a float with a very real Lion.

The badge pictured above is from Tony's enforcement enterprise. There are not many of these around, and certainly knowing some of the history makes it a real treasure.

NJ PROBATION COLLECTION: BERGEN COUNTY PROBATION BADGES

Bergen County is in the North East corner of the Garden State. New York is just across the Hudson River. People moved through Interstate 80 from the "Big Apple" to New Jersey, Pennsylvania and points West. On a rare occassion they got into trouble and had the opportunity to meet the fine members of the Bergen County Probation Department.

In the mid seventies Richard Nixon, after leaving office, purchased a hacienda in Saddle River located in this North Jersey county. I am not sure if he knew what a probation officer was or did, but as a pillar of the community, he had no contact with the fine officers from Bergen. That was his loss.

These guys were a good bunch. They could play softball, bowl and drink with the best. They were also very much into enforcement and looking out for John Q Citizen.

By the mid eighties this department had grown and among many needs were new badges for the troops. The Chief ordered a single sunburst style for himself, Assistant Chiefs, and Officers.

H Buchlien, in Newark was the maker, and produced a very fine badge that was gold in color, and had a NJ multi color seal at the center.

These badges stayed in service to 1994. At that time the State Judiciary combined all county departments into one State agency. Shortly thereafter the State issued their own badges to officer across New Jersey.

With the "retirement" of these county badges I can safely display a rank set. They are numbered 1, 2, and 4. Number 3 got away. These badges are in pristine condition. Naturally they are in a nice display case and are hanging on a wall in my den.