NEWARK POLICE: HISTORY OF PRECINCT'S AND THEIR LOCATIONS

JOE SAPIENZA prepared this history of each Newark Police Precinct and their Station Houses. He has compiled the exact dates and locations for each station house.

1st Precinct

The 1st Precinct opened in February 1852 at 82 Market Street. It remained there until June 2, 1864 where it moved to 13-15 Williams Street. The Precinct occupied the Williams Street building until a new complex was built at Court and Washington. They officially opened for business on April 27, 1908. This complex has a rich history in the Newark Police Department as it once housed the Traffic Division, Emergency Bureau, and even had a firehouse across the street. The 1st Precinct officially ceased operations on March 1, 1971. In December 2014, the area patrolled by the 4th Precinct was split up. The re-opening of the 1st Precinct occurred where the 1st Precinct responded from 10 17th Avenue. This was operational until June 2021. The 1st Precinct has been disbanded to date.

2nd Precinct

The 2nd Precinct was founded on September 7, 1872, at the old Armory. The Armory was on Morris and Essex Railroad Avenue, which in the present day is in the area of Orange Street and Broad Street. On October 30, 1875, the 2nd Precinct moved out of the Armory and into a new building which was on the corner of 7th Avenue and Summer Avenue. This building housed the 2nd Precinct until March 29, 1954, when the 2nd Precinct moved into the 5th Precinct Station House which was at Orange Street and North 6th Street. The 2nd Precinct operated here until their move into the current home of 1 Lincoln Avenue which happened on February 1, 1983.

3rd Precinct

The 3rd Precinct has the easiest history as it only held three locations since their inception. The 3rd Precinct Station House was originally a sub-station at 202 Ferry Street from November 24, 1883, until April 3, 1887, when it officially became a separate Precinct. The 3rd Precinct occupied this building until June 1, 1891, when they moved to 136 Van Buren Street. This building was later knocked down and turned into a Public Library. The 3rd Precinct moved into their current home in April 1921 and has remained operational in that Station House since then.

4th Precinct

The 4th Precinct originally opened as a sub-station at Springfield Avenue and Belmont Avenue (Now Irvine Turner Boulevard) on July 1, 1883. The 4th Precinct was officially opened on April 23, 1887, at Springfield Avenue and Bruce Street. It only operated there for a short three-year period when on June 2, 1890, they moved in with the Newark Fire Department in a firehouse at 246 Springfield Avenue. The 4th Precinct shared this space with the NFD until they moved into 10 17th Avenue on May 30, 1904. The 4th Precinct remained in that Station House until December 2014 when they moved to 247 16th Avenue where they operated out of today.

5th Precinct

The early days of the 5th Precinct patrolled the North Ward. The 5th Precinct was initially housed at Orange Street and North 6th Street. They opened for operations on May 22, 1905, and remained there until December 18, 1934, when the 2nd Precinct merged with the 5th Precinct and the 5th Precinct was shut down. The 2nd Precinct patrolled the coverage area until February 15, 1945, when the 5th Precinct was reopened in the same Station House and patrolled the same coverage area previously patrolled by the 5th Precinct. This lasted for ten years when on March 13, 1955, the 2nd and 5th Precincts merged again, and the 5th Precinct was disbanded. On June 30, 1956, the name of the 6th Precinct on West Bigelow was renamed to become the 5th Precinct. It operated out of 254 West Bigelow until November 14, 2011, when the 5th Precinct moved into the new police headquarters at 480 Clinton Avenue.

6th Precinct

The 6th Precinct initially patrolled the South District of the city. They opened on October 2, 1908, at 808 Bergen Street. On October 30, 1912, the 6th Precinct moved to 254 West Bigelow. The 6th Precinct was disbanded on December 10, 1934, when the implementation of the radio began. The building remained occupied by the dispatchers for the Radio Division while it was not used as a Station House. On January 1, 1945, the building became a Station House again when the 6th Precinct was re-organized out of this Station. It remained the 6th Precinct and functioned out of this building until June 30, 1956, when it was renumbered as the 5th Precinct. On March 22, 2018, the 6th Precinct was reopened at 491 Irvington Avenue and patrolled the Vailsburg Section of the city and is still operating there. 254 West Bigelow operated as a police facility for 99 years and is now the present site of the new Newark Police Department Crime Scene and Ballistics Facility.

7th Precinct

The 7th Precinct officially opened on December 17, 1913, at 998 South Orange Avenue. The 7th Precinct then moved to 908 South Orange Avenue on April 30, 1919. The 7th Precinct moved into the renovated firehouse at Sanford Avenue and Palm Street on August 17, 1933, until its closing on December 14, 1934. Engine 26 and Truck 12 who previously occupied this building were relocated to 1010 18th Avenue during this time. If you look at the front of the fire house there is still a number 7 on the top of it. It was re-organized on November 18, 2018, at 159 North 10th Street, where they function today patrolling the North Ward.

8th Precinct

The 8th Precinct opened on October 1, 1914, at 259 Washington Avenue (present day 717 Broadway). On June 24, 1924, the 8th Precinct moved into their newly constructed Station House located on the corner of Grafton Avenue and Washington Avenue (present day 741 Broadway). 741 Broadway is now a nursing home and still has a number 8 over the front door of the building. The 8th Precinct was shut down and disbanded on December 18, 1934.

9th Precinct

The 9th Precinct was initially designed to patrol Newark Airport, Port Newark, and parts of the South Ward. A Station House was built in 1931, but it never opened. The 9th Precinct became reality, however, with a different patrol area on January 1, 2023, when they opened at 22 Franklin Street to patrol the downtown Newark area.

DIRECTOR BADGES TOP OFF RANK SETS

Earlier this year I obtained my third Newark Director Badge. I posted a single picture of it a few weeks ago. I was quite proud of that Badge and informed everyone about the "Blue Stars." This was the work of H Buchlien & Co who had the commission to make this badge.

Following that original Post I presented the newest addition along with two other Newark Directors that I have had for decades. I had a thought of making a display of just the three Director Badges, but I ultimately thought putting them with the other rank badges, as pictured above, makes the best sense.

Above you will see two Director Badges, with the Blue Stars, to the Right of the top row. On the bottom row, also to the Right, is the current version of the Director Badge. It is without Blue Stars.

What is most important, as one looks at the Director Badges is to realize that the two rows are Rank Sets. That represents a lifetime collecting and obtaining this fine grouping.

There are perhaps 40-50 years between some of these badges of the same rank. Of course some are much newer. It is the fact that they are a two fine sets that makes me mighty proud.

It goes without saying that these badges are in a wood and glass display that is LOCKED. The case hangs in my Den where, without fail, I view it every day.

     

STREET INSPECTOR, NEWARK

This is one of my "Non Police Newark Badges." It dates back to 1930's or earlier. I like the design, with the City Seal at top of badge under a Reverse Blue Lettered panel. In the middle of the badge is a bold panel with the word: INSPECTOR. Since this is from the "Dept Of Streets" I can only imagine the job duties.. It stands 2.25" tall and as the picture shows is still in good condition. Glad to have it in my collection of Newark items.

911 - A DAY TO REMEMBER

 911 is a Date we shall never forget. There will be many tributes to those who died in NYC on the Day the World Trade Center's Twin Towers came down as a result of a terror attack.

From my Badge Collection the item below serves as my tribute:

OBSOLETE COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENTS: CUMBERLAND CO

 

This "C" is for Cumberland County NJ. Sorry the picture isn't better, as it is difficult for me to get it out of the Display Case. That case holds my collection of County Probation Departments in the Garden State.

This Badge has an individual's name on the top panel. It reads "E F Henderson."

The N.J. State Seal is at center point. It is an older seal giving the suggestion that the Badge was made in the 1940's to 1960's.

Around the State Seal are the words: Probation Officer, Cumberland County. The lettering is recessed, and black fill enamel which is in very good condition. 

The overall color of this Badge is Gold Tone. It is worn. I am glad to have it nonetheless. It looks good in my Display which has a few holes that need to be filled.

I am searching for Probation Badges from: Gloucester, Hunterdon, Hudson, Passaic, Salem, Warren  Counties. I am willing to trade or buy. Donations are welcome too. If you have one Contact me at: 

 

                                  jerseychief@gmail.com

AIRLINE POLICE, U.A.L. # 53

 

Here is an item that is one Badge that I  always have loved. When I got it I hung it, almost immediately, in a prominent location in my home. It was up on the wall so I could hear those distress calls from the wife:  "Too Many Stinking Badges - Get Rid of Some."

I've been hearing that Battle Cry for 60 years now, but these Badges are: My hobby, and they don't stink, and they're staying ! They bring me memories and that, of course, is what I really collect.

Back to the badge. The Wife found it in a Church sale. She paid $18. That was a good price back then. She got it for my birthday. That made this Badge way more meaningful.

The Badge was on a card with the notes "United - Newark."  I take that to be United Airlines. They were located in Newark, way before the existence of the "New York and New Jersey Port Authority." That gives some idea of the age of this old badge.

It is a smart looking "Sunburst" design, however there is also an Eagle on top. The words on it are clear: "POLICE - U.A.L."  In the number box is # 53. To top it all off it is in excellent condition, just look at the picture.

I keep this one, certainly under glass, in "my museum" where I talk to it every day. Well, almost every day. I sure did today as its' my birthday again, and I said, "Thank You to my Wife" for buying it for me some forty years ago. Now that's a nice memory and it gives license for the Wife to go to as many Church sales as she wants.

THE SNOWMAN

    

OBSOLETE COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENTS: CAMDEN COUNTY

These four Badges came to me 30+ years ago. I think I did well as I got the Chief's Badge too. A have a very nice memory of the afternoon this Badge was gifted to me.

The silver tone "Officer" Badges were also gifts, but sadly I don't recall receiving them. I still treasure them.

All of these Badges are two inch Sunburst shaped items. Each has a panel at the very top with the words: "CHIEF" or "OFFICER." Around the State Seal are the words: "Camden County Probation Dept."

Two of these shields have a small panel at the bottom. The Officer's Badge has number "56". Guess what number is on the Chief's Badge.

I am still searching for Probation Badges from: Gloucester, Hunterdon, Hudson, Passaic, Salem, Sussex, Warren  Counties. I am willing to trade or buy. Donations are welcome too. If you have one Contact me at:  

                                  jerseychief@gmail.com 

NEWARKS" "TORCH MURDER"

By: Dennis Beyer

The car pictured below is a classic automobile. At first glance I had no idea what make it was, or anything about the MPG rating.

I can tell you that this picture (4x6) is in my collection of memorabilia from the N.P.D. It is dated on the rear "12/25/1922."  That makes this photo an amazing 103 years of age. It is in excellent condition, and apparently got put to use, in the investigation of a murder in Newark, during the late 1920's.

The picture was owned by a Newark Detective, who was assigned to the murder case dubbed "The Torch Murder." That Detective was Morris Kerwin. He came from a family of Newark P. D. Officers.

I have other documents that I believe were part of Kerwin's personal  scrapbook, so that book is the basis of my assumption, that he owned, and used the picture while working this case.  On the bottom, still visible, is the marking that this was a "Replica of Torch Murder Car." I believe it is a Studebaker. To be sure you can run the plate which is still clearly visible.

The document below is a copy of a newspaper photograph, showing a burned out automobile. It was the scene of a homicide near Newark Airport. 

The page was pasted inside a scrap book that belonged to Det. Kerwin. In that book there are numerous newspaper clippings where he is mentioned as one of the Detectives involved with a case, including the "Torch Murder."

Eugene Moran was identified by Newark Detectives as the murder victim. It was determined that he was shot in the head, and then burned beyond recognition in this car fire. When the car was set into a burning blaze it quickly became known as, The Torch Murder Car. The murder date was established as  August 9, 1929.

The last picture (8x10) is an original picture. It looks like it was the source for the Newspaper photo.

Through excellent detective work it was determined that the victim was one Eugene Moran, of Manhattan. Newark Detectives linked Moran to Mobsters located in both New York and New Jersey.

Moran was determined to be an employee of one Arnold Rothstein, a Mob Related Entrepreneur. Rothstein was involved in a gangland dispute with the "Diamond Brothers and their Associates."  This dispute prompted Rothstein to use Moran as a Bodyguard, at $1000 a week!  

In addition to protection, Moran is believed to have been paid $100,000 to do some "hits" on certain gangland members for Rothstein. This led to Rothstein being eliminated in 1928 in NYC.

Moran, in revenge mode took out a few New Jersey mob figures. That work apparently caused a revenge hit on himself in August 9, 1929.

Police naturally would have interviewed Mr. Rothstein. That could not occur as Rothstein was shot, outside the Park Central Hotel in Manhattan.  Rothstein died on Nov 6, 1928. This death, nine months ahead of his Moran's own death, appears to be the motive for the killings likely performed by Moran.

Newark Detectives were able to link the death of Moran to multiple gang related murders that took place in NJ and NY.  While these deaths were stated as "connected" to the Rothstein/Diamond Brothers feud, further investigation stalled as anyone of interest was already dead, or otherwise out of reach of law enforcement.

The pictures of the "Detective Shields" are from the same time period, as the killing of  Eugene Moran, and his boss Arthur Rothstein. They are part of my collection and are both in excellent condition.

Note that there is no color on this gold tone finished badge, with raised letters. There was never a plan to put color on the panels or around the City Seal during the 1920's. A simple gold tone finish was all that was needed back then.

Note the very low numbers on these badges - Numbers 4 & 6.  I certainly wish I had Numbers 1 & 2.  I also would like to report that one of these Badges belonged to Morris Kerwin, but I simply have no idea what his number actually was.

Hope you enjoyed the story and the pictures. They are part of our history.

POLICE HUMOR: HAVE A LAUGH

 

TRIPLETS: THREE NEWARK DIRECTOR BADGES

A few weeks ago I displayed my newest Newark Badge. It was a Directors Shield with five "Blue Stars." I was thrilled to have this Badge and related how it was 50 years of age plus or minus. I let everyone know that this Badge was created by H. Buchlien & Son in Newark. They were artists' with their work.

What I did not mention in the earlier Post was that this Badge was my "third" Director's shield. Getting one only took 45 years. Now with 60 years collecting I have "three." 

The newest badge does not have the "Blue Stars." It was made by Blackington Co. Other then the Stars, these badges are triplets by rank. 

I took the above picture thinking that this would make a great display, but I am still thinking about what I want to do. I'll post another story about these badges down the road. For now I hope you enjoy the picture.

OBSOLETE COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENTS: ATLANTIC COUNTY

 

As reported in an earlier Post, I have been collecting Badges from the Old County Probation Departments (in N.J). A substantial majority of these items came into my possession during this millennium. While I have had good luck finding them, I still do not have all 21 County Departments.

When the State assumed the financial cost of the State Judiciary in 1994,  County Judges became NJ Superior Court Judges. All their "County" functions also became State functions. So as of that date there were no more "County" Probation Officers, and their badges became obsolete. That has been their status for the last 30 years.

I started this Collection a little ahead of the State Takeover, and have obtained a nice group; but there is always a couple that are needed to make the set complete. If anyone has one of these old badges contact me for sale or trade. I have a few doubles.

That nice silver tone Badge above is from ATLANTIC COUNTY. It is Number 1 alphabetically in my display. For its age it is in great condition. 

Based on the State Seal at the center of this badge I make the judgement that it was made mid to late 1950's if not earlier. Pin and clasp are in working order. Letters are black enamel fill.

This Badge is a reminder of the great years under county rule. Each department had its own identity, and unique ways of doing their job. But the bill to county tax payers drove the movement for consolidation. The power base moved to Trenton (State Capital), with the local Chiefs now reporting to Court Administrators, who in turn got their marching orders from the "Administrative Office of the Courts" at the State Capital.

The Badges in the display case are my full collection, and the Atlantic Badge is first. I have had it well over 30 years. It was a gift from a friend who, sadly is no longer with us. 

I keep this Collection in a nice Oak and Glass display case. It catches my eye every day, and flashes me a fine memory or two.  I'll post another Badge in a month or so.

WALKING STICK - NEWARK P.D.

 

 

Remember the movie "Walking Tall?" The Sheriff was a guy named Buford H. Pusser. He was best known for carrying a "big stick." The man served as a Police Officer and Sheriff. He became a one man crusade against crime. 

During his tour of duty Pusser became a folk hero. He was definitely a macho guy, who knew how to use his legendary wooden club. Armed with his Walking Stick Buford became a legendary salesman for Law and Order. 

 In 1964 Pusser (at 26) became the youngest person elected Sheriff of McNairy County, Tennessee. He got a fine looking badge with his name on the top panel. With this title he relentlessly attacked the mob in West Tennessee. 

The Sheriff's stick was more like a small tree. In the movie he carried it to encourage the wayward to walk a lawful path. For his efforts he was shot eight times. If that wasn't enough to seek early retirement he was also stabbed seven times. Guess some people didn't like him.

Bullets and Knives could not kill this guy. Like a man on a mission Bufford Pusser just kept coming at the bad guys. Unfortunately he saw his wife (1967) become the victim of an assassin's bullet that was intended for him. Seven years later a car "accident" finally claimed his life.  

The "walking stick" pictured above is nothing like the one used by Sheriff Pusser in the 1960's. It is smaller. It is older. It is a work of art. This "Walking Stick" was finely crafted from Irish Bog Wood well over a hundred years ago. 

Once cut it was shaped and sized to be part of the policeman's accessories. These Irish Sticks were routinely made for relatives who traveled across the"pond" to find work in the U.S. Many became police officers.  

Wherever there were a large number Irish on a police force one would always find pieces of "equipment" that was made in Ireland. The above pictured walking stick is believed to have made its' way to the Newark Police Department in N.J. There it was used by officers' with rank. 

The original owner of this beautiful stick could easily have been a Brennan, a Donaghy, a Lynch, or an O'Neill. They were all part of the old N.P.D. 

At first glance one may not think too much of this black piece of wood. Careful examination shows it to be a wonderful antique, and a fine piece of police memorabilia. 

The engravings, I am told, have unique meaning. There is a "Shamrock" seems to  offers luck, and well being. There is also a "Harp" that is finely carved near the handle. One can only sense the message it is sending. 

Regardless of the messages, I am sure this "Walking Stick" holds many fine memories, and I am glad to have them in my collection.