NEWARK BOMB SQUAD TO THE RESCUE

 (This is a re-post of an article published several years ago. Enjoy it again.)

NEWARK POLICE BOMB SQUAD TRUCK

Wow, if the last picture I posted, with those single headlights mounted on the fender looked old, check this one out. There doesn't seem to be any headlights.

This is supposedly from 1911 (plus or minus). It is of a vehicle that was used by the NEWARK BOMB SQUAD.  You would think they would want to see the road, and a its pot holes. One little "bump" could make one huge "boom."

What was surprising to me when I obtained this photo was that the City of Newark would actually dedicate funds to purchase a vehicle for this purpose.

I have since looked for "bombings or explosions" in Newark's History. I was able to find an article that reported a huge explosion of unknown origin in 1880. The location was the Celluloid Manufacturing Co. located on Ferry St. The blast killed three instantly, destroyed an entire brick building, and burned two additional men so bad, that their recovery was impossible. 

I am sure there were other incidents before and after this major explosion. Thus the need for officers and a vehicle designed to handle explosive situations is well documented. 

A friend of mine was once assigned to the "Bomb Squad," and he told me their motto was: "If you see me running, try to keep up!" That gives you an idea of how dangerous this job is. 

Hope you enjoyed looking at the photo.

 

FOUR TABLES LEFT FOR ORLANDO BADGE SHOW

Attention Everyone - We have jut received notice that the Vacation Capital Badge and Patch Show in Orlando has just FOUR tables left.

If you have an interest contact Doug Sarubbi at:     

sarubb@aol.com

Hope to see everyone

LAST CALL FOR ORLANDO SHOW, SCHEDULED SEP 4TH

 

It's time to sign up or the "Vacation Capital" Police Collectors Show in Orlando this coming September 4. There still are a few Tables available.

As in the past the Show will be held at the Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Dr. Orlando. Rooms are available to Show Registrants for a discounted rate. Free parking is also included.

There will be 90 Tables available and are offered at the rate of $30.00 per Table. Contact Doug Sarubbi for Table Reservation 

The doors will be open to the Public, however there is a $5.00 charge for admission.

"VACATION CAPITAL" POLICE COLLECTOR'S SHOW RETURNS - SEP 4TH

 

It's time to sign up or the "Vacation Capital" Police Collectors Show in Orlando this coming September 4.

As in the past the Show will be held at the Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Dr. Orlando. Rooms are available to Show Registrants for a discounted rate. Free parking is also included.

There will be 90 Tables available and are offered at the rate of $30.00 per Table. Contact Doug Sarubbi for Table Reservation 

The doors will be open to the Public, however there is a $5.00 charge for admission.

GUATEMALA REVISITED

 
 

In September of 2014 The Wife and I took a trip to Guatemala. On my return I told the story of my visit to the local police station in the City of Antigua. Of course I acquired a badge for my collection. I still have it. The post below is the original story for present day reading. Enjoy.

 

COURTESY CALL - GUATEMALA 

 

Don't ask me why, but the wife and I took a trip to Guatemala in late September (2014). By now everyone who knows me, should know, the important question is: "Did you get a Badge?"

Well of course the answer is, "Yes."

We had the good fortune of being the only people on this tour so it didn't take too much effort to have our guide take us to a police station. He found one in the City of Antigua.

Before getting to the police  station I pumped the guide for all the information I could get about this City. Let me share some facts and work  my way up to headquarters.

I learned that Antigua is the oldest City in Central America, and it served as a capital during Spanish rule. It is quite a colorful City. Unfortunately it was built on a fault line, making it a land that shakes. It also has survived these tremors in the ground.

Many of the homes and buildings were facades from older days. In many cases all that was left from earthquakes was an outside wall or two. From these ruins present day homes and businesses were built.

Some of these buildings have walls that are over a foot thick, and you should see the wood doors that they have. Guaranteed they did not come from Home-Depot. A good number of these doors are over a hundred years of age.  

The streets of Antigua were wide, and made of cobble stones. For the most part they were clean, and solid. Most vehicular traffic was small cars, motor scooters, and an  occasional horse and buggy. 

I learned that electric here is produced from hydro-electric plants. The Country is self sufficient in electrical production. Distribution, on the other hand, is a problem. 

Electric is transmitted to the town by overhead wires. If it weren't for the telephone poles, carrying these electric wires, I would have thought myself lost in time. With them, I still got the feeling of being somewhere in the twilight zone.

As I approached the police station I was wondering if we were at the right place. I quickly learned not to judge a book by its cover.

The police station was small. It was colorful. The color of choice was appropriately blue. I loved it.

It was easy to find out who was in charge. I had the guide introduce me as a retired officer. I then offered my own "Buenas Tardes." It was nicely received with a smile and handshake.

The police had their own translator. He made conversing nice and easy. His command of English was very impressive. I injected my Jersey Spanish every now and then, and we hit it off quite well.

My explanation for being there was simple. I write for Police Collectors News. I told them all I wanted was a handshake and a smile for a picture or two. I let it slip that I also collect Badges. 

From our introductory remarks, I was rewarded with great conversation, some nice pictures, and a fine badge from "El Jefe's" shirt. I have it home now where it is displayed under glass. It serves as a fine memory of a great afternoon in Antigua.

The State Police Officers who made my day were Freddy Chavez Gomez (Officer in Charge), and Inspector Carlos Villatoro,  (translator).  They were terrific Gentlemen. I made sure to get their pictures for my friends at PC News.

Outside in the small court yard area of HQ, I was introduced to a Detective, who also was very friendly, and eager  to show off the badge that he carries in his work.  

Just down the street from HQ, I ran into a man who spoke English fairly well. He told me he was a retired  Philadelphia PD Officer.  Bill Shetz now works with  the American Legion. He advised me there is a community of retired US Police Officers working with the American Legion. They help the police and the local community. I was feeling at home here.

At that point my wife reminded me of the volcano, that was puffing, and our need to go shopping, so I gave Freddy and Carlos a nice Jersey Hug and a handshake. They showed me a great time, and their hospitality was truly enjoyed. Gracias, mi Amigos. Hasta Luego, and Thanks for a great memory.

ORLANDO SHOW SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 4th

It's time to sign up or the "Vacation Capital" Police Collectors Show in Orlando this coming September 4.

As in the past the Show will be held at the Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Dr. Orlando. Rooms are available to Show Registrants for a discounted rate. Free parking is also included.

There will be 90 Tables available and are offered at the rate of $30.00 per Table. Contact Doug Sarubbi for Table Reservation 

The doors will be open to the Public, however there is a $5.00 charge for admission.

WEST NEW YORK IS WHERE?

The above two badges are a matching set. As one can see they are clearly from "WEST NEW YORK," but where exactly is that?

I am sure some TV trivia guys are speculating that this is the newer land mass added to the original waterfront of "The Big Apple" back in the 1800's. But to find it, you have to go further West,  and across the Hudson River,  to New Jersey.

So lets say you start your journey to find West N.Y. at the Intrepid Museum. The retired Aircraft Carrier is tied up at the current edge of Manhattan. Directly across the river is Jersey City. From  there take a hike on JFK Blvd. up the cliff's,  to a speck of land just over a mile squared, and you found the second highest populated area in  New Jersey. There are over 50,000 people living here.

This is a community that has a view of the Big Apple like no other. From its' high point of 150' it has a view up,  down, and across the beautiful Hudson River into Mid-Town Manhattan.

Just off its' shoreline was the scene of Capt. Sullenberger's dramatic "Water Landing," of Flight 1549. This took place Jan. 15, 2009. Public Safety and Emergency workers deployed from West New York and were among the first to arrive at the scene to help survivors. Only a decade ago we all watched a major motion picture that followed this event.

There is a Police Dept in this Community on the Palisades in New Jersey. They are roughly 120 strong. They do a fine job for their citizens and stay out of the public's eye  for the most part. Their assistance in the "Water Landing" of Fl 1549  brought them positive recognition ten years ago, and the same positive approach to the job continues today.

The set of badges I obtained at a Titusville Badge and Patch Show several years ago look like they are identical to those in use in NYC. The style is the same, but of course the wording is different. Also the "Seals" are different. The WEST NEW YORK Badge has a "N.J. State Seal" stamped into its' body.  Note that there is a distinctive "Horse Head" located at its' top. Looking closer, at the Badge, and on the bottom you will note that there are letters - "N. J."     

The Hat Badge is basically, in the shape of the State Seal, but carries a number box at its' bottom. This is a common design in New Jersey. In this case the number is 101, which corresponds with the number on the breast Badge, completing the Set.

I have both badges "under glass" in a display case that hangs on my wall. I try to give them a daily look and to conjure up some memories of days gone by. My collection is a great source of those memories and I am very pleased to have them both.