This is the final badge in my "Municipal Display." It is number 41 in alphabetical order. The "W" is for the Town of Wyckoff.
Wykoff is in North Jersey. It is semi rural or a residential community I was surprised to learn that it is in Bergen County, NJ I thought Morris County, but what is my point of reference? I only lived in the area 50+ years and never once went to Wyckoff.
The place sounds like an Indian Reservation. It wasn't, but the Lenape Indians did roam this area. The community possibly took its name, stealing a word from the Lenape Indians.
The thinking is that the Indians had a word describing highlands and also water. The two words are: "Wickoff" and "Wickok".
There is a similar named community over in New York. Looking at that town I learned that it was named after a family with the last name Wyckoff. This family did have some roots in New Jersey.
I am sure that the Wyckoff Family only scared our Indians. The Jersey settlers took their name from the Lenape's, while the New Yorker's were making a real estate transaction for Manhattan. Checking history I see New York appropriated the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from Jersey, not the other way around.
This happened because New York used a surveyor that had no idea what a straight line was, and, of course, because the Wyckoff Police did not exist. The police department came into being somewhere after 1926 when they Town was created.
The badge was one of the early designs. It reads: Wyckoff, Police, and at the bottom is a number box filled with the numeral "3".
The design of this badge is like so many in my collection. It is what I call a traditional badge. I like the shape and have tried to fill my "Municipal Collection" with only that design.
I have done a pretty good job on meeting that goal of collecting only this design. I have had this badge for close to 25 years. It certainly meets the design criteria. I am proud to have it and regard as a "keeper" for sure.
I look at it daily and think of those famous Jersey Lenape Indians. I also keep it safe, under glass, here in Florida, the land of the Seminole Indians.
This "W" is for West New York. It is the 40th badge in alphabetical order in my Municipal Collection
I almost forgot this Town that looks over the Hudson River and New York's Upper West Side.
It is just a tad over one square mile so it is easy to miss. Around 50,000 people call this Town their home. The certainly know their way home from the City across the river.
I know little about West New York other then it sits on the Palisades which is a series of cliffs that border the Hudson River. These Cliffs are a National Landmark.
In view of the height of the Palisades the local criminal must know there is no escape running East. The cliffs reach a height of 540 feet.
The local force has the North, South and East well protected. The origin of this Department can be traced to 1898, however town records regarding the police are rather vague In 1900 Town records indicate that there were one "roundsman", One Sergeant, Fourteen Police Officers and an unknown Chief.
The situation is different today. The officer have badges much newer than those in my collection. I have had this set over 20 years and have preserved them in my large municipal display.
The badge is a basic new Jersey shape and reads: West New York, and Police. The number box hold number "79."
In the center there is a stamped State Seal which is how many Jersey badges were made. While this item is believed to authentic I have some doubts. In the early days I read about the Town Council looking for a seal for their police. I don't know if that ever took place. Like many municipalities the probably purchased a generic shape badge with the Seal already established as the center point.
I am pleased to keep this set in my display. Like all my badges they make me feel good about collecting and conjuring up a few nice memories.
After 46 years of marriage I finally made that trip of a life time to Hawaii. Despite the wife's plans I always had badges, patches or anything to do with police memorabilia on my mind.
Let me start by telling you I didn't meet Steve McGarrett or Danno. I saw where they did some local filming. I saw the statue shown in the opening credits of Hawaii 5-0. In the end my stake-out did not produce a badge for my collection.
I did have fun searching for collectible items when the wife wasn't looking. I found a couple of cool things to share and perhaps inspire you to do your own investigation on Hawaiian turf.
Now think about where you work. What does your station look like. Here is what it looks like in Waikiki. This is on the main drag, which I can't spell or pronounce (Kalakaua Ave). The beach and ocean are in back of HQ.
Anyone want a transfer? If you are like me and worked here the thinking process would be: Find a tree and some shade. That is necessary in order to keep cool, and to do proper surveillance on the crowds, the beach, and some little bathing suits.
Yes Sir, if I had a job in this area I would find a Banyan Tree, park my car, and do some crowd control.
Now I observed that Honolulu PD puts a number on their car. They also have a matching license plate. During my surveillance I found a car with the number "1" on it. Actually it was "1111". I thought that was a nice find, so I snapped a couple of (long distance) shots to place in this article.
I looked for the Officer but couldn't find him. Remember my partner on this job was my wife. She didn't let me search a lot, but then again my legs wouldn't have done the job.
After striking out in Honolulu we traveled to Maui. The hunt was still on. I was determined to get something for my collection.
Just before the lunch call I struck pay dirt. I connected with an officer from the Humane Society. This was a good deal. Debbie not only showed me her badge, she showed me "her" island.
I got to ride shotgun in her big red truck as we cruised "Surfboard Lane" up into the mountains. This was good, as the wife had our backs in the rear seat, on this ride.This was "Official Business."
We stopped at farm to check out some animals. I was impressed several beautiful horses. I got a little nervous when two Labrador Retrievers approached me, then I was embarrassed to learn they were cows. Guess I wouldn't qualify to do K-9 work.
We found a local restaurant and had an excellent meal. More important we had good conversation and a lot of laughs.
After lunch we continued the quest to find me a badge. Debbie told me not to worry. She would deliver. Eventually we scored the badge that is pictured. There was a small problem with it - I had to give it back!
Well it was nice to look at. I will enjoy doing that, and having the wonderful memory of that afternoon patrolling the highlands of Maui.
B.O.L.O. (Be on Look Out) for items wanted to buy, or items to sell.
This blog has made it clear my interest is Newark.
There is always room for one more, so friends take a look in your collection and see if you have any like those pictured below. If so I want it.
Send an email with your specifics.
The picture is an old (25-30 years) replica that I do have as part of a full set of Newark Replica Editions. I seek the real McCoy.
I also have a badge pictured below from Trenton. It is the State Capital and this is one of its' early badges. I have a couple and so I can move this by sale or trade. If anyone is interested send an email.
Here is the picture.
