WHERE IS MY CAR

Well I know exactly where my Buick is at the moment. I take good care of it and lock it up real good at night.

When I was younger and working I had some real worries about my vehicle. It seems like no car was safe in Newark. I believe Newark had the dubious distinction of being the Stolen Car Capital of the US.

The problem started early in the 1900's as my "Stolen Automobile" report and the "Newark Police Bulletin # 61" indicate. These reports, now antiques, are framed and usually taken to the various Shows for display. I am quite please with these documents as they are in pretty good shape.

The documents date back almost 70 years. One might guess the most popular car in Newark at the time in terms of the theft measurement was the FORD. But what was the second most popular vehicle stolen back in 1922.The report indicates it was a "TOURING" model of either Studebaker, Mitchell or Stevens automobile.

Remember to always lock your car even though America is safe no matter where you are!  At some locations our friendly citizens stand by corners just to wash you cars' windows and flash you a smile.

Don't forget to tip ! 

ORLANDO, THE VACATION CAPITAL, HOSTS POLICE COLLECTORS AT ROSEN PLAZA HOTEL

This is certainly a regular event for yours truly. I love the Show, but wish they could move Orlando closer to Naples.

Well after my ride up the Gulf Coast and then inland to Orlando the wife and I checked into the Rosen Plaza Hotel. These guys have been the regular hosts over the years, and they certainly are doing a good job for the exhibitors who took up Ballroom "B."

I took a couple tables and put out some of my Jersey Collection. I focus on Newark and tried to balance the display with a little of everything.

I had badges and patches, but that is what I always bring. I added some hardware, pictures and "paper items" that I have, for no other reason than, I like it. Take a peek at some of the better pictured items below. They include a "Stolen Car Report" from 1921,  a B>O>L>O> Card, with picture and finger prints, and an Electric Bill from 1896.

I also brought some unusual badges to put on display. Give a look at these non-police shields of authority. They are part of my "Unique Newark Items".  Back in the day if you messed around the "Inspector, Bureau of Streets," could grab your butt and turn you over to the "Foreman, Division of Sanitation" who in turn would drive you over to the "Plumbing Investigator" who would hose you down, before locking you up for the night in the care of the City "Stable Supervisor."

After making sure my items were arranged right, I left the wife in charge and told her, to have a good time and, only sell my Cleveland Lieutenant Uniform. Its pictured in here somewhere. You will have to hunt for it.  I went off to see some old friends and exhibitors.

Doug Sarubbi and his daughter were the hosts and Guardians of the Door. They checked my name off, as usual, and then sent me to my tables.

I stopped to chat with old friend  Chad from Jacksonville, and then onto Keith Bushey. There were more Collectors there and I gabbed as much as I could. While on the prowl, I met John Doran who is pictured below shaking hands with me. John is from Scotland. He was nice enough to allow a picture of his badge. It is marked "Semper Vigilo".

As I walked, I enjoyed all the exhibits and just talking about them, the history and that magnet that pulls us all together. It's special and I hope you all know what I am talking about.

Now take a look at some of the items I saw during my visit to the 2016 Orlando Police Collectors Show.

  

That Seal above, comes from a real important Office, in our good old USA. I understand that the current office holder was invited to view our Show, but had a prior date for golf,  and he would not be able to break away. That left Doug Sarubbi to call the names and make the presentations to this years winners. They are:

Best Badge Award went to Steve Srozinski for his eight table display of Jacksonville Police Department, Duval County Sheriff's Office and Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Florida badges

        

                     

Best Patch Award went to George Manosis for his display of US Customs, DEA, Border Patrol and Foreign patches.

                        

                                      

Best Overall Display went to Jeff Peeler for his awesome display of Florida Highway Patrol badges, patches, photos, cars, license plates and memorabilia

The lucky winner of the patch drop with about 35 cool patches was Paul Goldstein

                                

This was a great show and we hope to see everyone again in 2017.

RUTHERFORD MARSHAL

I have been fortunate this year to be able to find some Marshal Badges that can go in my unique Jersey Marshal Collection. I started my focus on these Municipal Marshal Badges over the last couple of years.

These Badges issued in certain communities between 1880's and 1950's. They were the predecessor of the local police department.

The badge featured above is from the Borough of Rutherford, NJ. That is the home of Giant Stadium where Jimmy Hoffa was rumored to be buried. Other then that sad story Rutherford is a nice community located in northern N.J.

It is a "bedroom" community with a population of 18,000. Its a short ride over the (GWB) George Washington Bridge to upper Manhattan. When Mom and Dad are at work the Rutherford Police patrol the community and make sure all is well. They have their own, newer badges.

The item pictured above is an older badge from the time of the
Marshal. It is a beauty, and in excellent condition.


The badge is silver tone designed as a large circle covering the body of an Eagle. The birds head is very large at the top, while there is a tiny number panel covering the tail. This one has number "165" recessed with black fill. In the outer edge of the circle is the word "MARSHAL" over the name of the community "RUTHERFORD."

At the moment I have twenty-two municipalities represented in my "Municipal Marshal Collection." This badge has found a home. It resides in a nice display case covered with glass. It looks good on my wall and always brings some nice memories to enjoy on a daily basis.

DO DRUGS - THEN REGISTER WITH POLICE

It was the law!  If you did drugs you had to register with the police. I don't know what they do today. Probably like fishing - Catch and Release !

Newark took this seriously back in the day. They almost put Kodak out of business due to all the film they used to take photos of all the fine upstanding people that filled their narcotic registry in 1950.

The card above shows six head shots (mug shot) of an individual with his name and gallery number. There also is a small folder to hold and protect the picture. This one was taken on July 18, 1952.

I have this original mug shot framed and ready to go to the Orlando Show to use as as one of my display items.

NJ TURNPIKE

For all these years posting pictures and telling stories about the badges I have collected I never mentioned the New Jersey Turnpike in any detail. God knows I wouldn't have been able to travel South or North in my Garden State. Still I didn't mention it.

The Pike was built in my life time - 1949. I guess they started construction just after WW II. That sounds like it was created as a job maker rather then travel necessity.

It begins in Fort Lee, NJ at the George Washington Bridge, and travels to its' terminus at Carneys Point, NJ. That is a course of 123 miles. With all the Cars, Trucks and Buses it is the 6th busiest road in our good old United States.

The Turnpike uses State Police for its' enforcement needs, however (the reason for this entire article) The Turnpike Authority maintained its own police force. Toll collecting was the primary job.

So (getting closer to the point of this story) with a police unit there had to be uniforms and a command structure. Of course there would be Badges. I have a rank set (that's the point).

Here is what the collection looks like as a group. At the top is the "Captain" badge, with his lapel pins for his rank. Underneath and working down are the breast and hat badges for: "Lieutenant," Sergeant," and "Toll Collector."

Naturally each badge shown is unique because, at the bottom of the circular panel, is the number "1949". That represents the year the Turnpike Authority was created.

Below the badges are shown up nice and close. They look nice.

I can't say this is a display I always craved having. The badges are nice and do trigger some nice memories of drives in the summer to various points on the Jersey Shore. The main attraction was Atlantic City. That triggers even more memories.

It looks like I am beginning to get "trigger happy' with those memories and such, so I'll stop and put the display away. It can keep me tuned into the world sitting next to the rest of my collection.

LAST CALL FOR ORLANDO SHOW

                                     ROSEN PLAZA HOTEL

        9700 INTERNATIONAL DRIVE

CENTRALLY LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE TOURIST DISTRICT. CLOSE TO UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, SEA WORLD, WALT DISNEY WORLD AND TWO WORLD-CLASS FACTORY OUTLET MALLS. EASY ACCESS TO ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, INTERSTATE 4 AND THE FL. TURNPIKE.

85 TABLES ARE AVAILABLE AT $25 EA.

SET-UP BEGINS AT 7:30 AM

SHOW OPENS AT 9AM.

A SPECIAL ROOM RATE OF $95 IS AVAILABLE FOR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS. CALL 1-800-627-8258 FOR HOTEL RESERVATIONS.  

 PLEASE MENTION THE “OCSO-Doug Sarubbi"

VACATION CAPITAL POLICE SHOW” BY NAME.

FREE ON-SITE PARKING FOR ATTENDEES & GUESTS.

Awards will be presented for Best Badge, Best Patch and Best Overall Display.  Admission is $2.

APPROPRIATE FOR THE DAY

This was passed on to me. The sender knew I would enjoy it. I am sharing it with you and trust you too will like it.

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