CARRIBBEAN CRUISE

I ended 2021 by taking a cruise on Princess' "EMERALD PRINCESS." It sailed from Nov. 29 to Dec. 6.

This was a nice way to escape from Covid Lockdown. I was anxious. You should have seen me wheeling across I-75, better known as Alligator Alley. I felt like a race car driver on an empty track. No Alligators, and no Smokies either. Drove right up to the ship.

The "Emerald" was about 50% capacity. That made it nice. Real nice. The Crew was especially accommodating. Good Covid precautions were in place, and on return there was no reports of any flu like symptoms.

The ships first stop was Nassau. I haven't been there since I had a fabulous time a few years earlier with the Commissioner of Police - Ellison Greenslade.

I decided to go visit the Police HQ again and do a recheck. When my Taxi pulled up it, it looked like an Official Officer Recognition Ceremony was in progress. I made my request, and was patient.  Sure enough I was greeted by a Deputy Commissioner, who was Ellison's brother. 

We had a very nice conversation, and naturally we did the picture below (if proof is needed). I was even invited back, but had to get on the big boat again. It was a good visit, and another I will add to my Collection of Memories.   

 

          

After Nassau the Cruise Ship docked in Cartegena. I took the required Town Tour,  and certainly liked the high rise condos by the Bay. What made a smaller impression was the vehicles used by the local police. I managed to take the pictures below for your enjoyment.  They really do have vehicles that are larger, but this is cool enough.

 

 

TITUSVILLE COLLECTORS SHOW JAN 29, 2022

 

Hey it didn't take that long for 2021 to come and go. Now another year on my weary bones, but I am getting ready to go to TITUSVILLE for another show.

This show is in, or close to its' 35th year. That is a long time.

If you haven't seen the announcement you need to contact Steve Bridges to  register!

 Make table reservations by calling: 321-302-1983 (cell) or e-mail @ csteveb170@gmail.com.

Confirm your reservations by mailing table fee to Steve Bridges, 1535 Justin Court, Titusville, FL 32796.

END OF WATCH

 

Another year has come, and gone. It's time to give a Moment or Two to Remember Friends who have passed on. Yet one way or another, they are still with us.

It has been a few years since one of my Friends answered His Last Call. His grand-daughter drew the picture below. I have published it before, and continue to think it is a nice gesture,  so here it is once again

In addition to this Officer, there are Others  who have passed away in 2021. They leave Us, and their FAMILIES Behind. 

They will always be Remembered.  

Miss you guys!

NEWARK - It ain't Kansas

 

 

In addition to collecting "Badges" for over 50 years, I also collect photographs or posters regarding my home City of Newark, NJ.

I have had this poster size picture about fifteen years, and did a blog article on it back around 2011. I figure it's time to show it again. 

It's clear that even "Dorothy" knows her geography.

CITY COLLECTION: BAYONNE, NJ

I recently obtained this Bayonne, NJ Badge from across the pond. It is a beauty and fits in my N.J. Major City's Collection.

First I need explain by using the word "Pond" I am referring to the Atlantic Ocean, and the English expression that  they use when traveling. Clarity is needed as the City of Bayonne is located on a pond if its' own.

The Waters that makes up the three sides of this City are: Newark Bay, Kill Van Kull, and New York Bay.  It's a short swim to both Newark, Staten Island and Manhattan. 

In the Bayonne's early days it was known for Yacht building. Today it is known for Cruise Ships, and a great view of the Statue of Liberty.

In actual area Bayonne is a little bigger then a postage stamp with an actual land area of eleven square miles. Sixty-five thousand people call it home.

The badge that traveled to my collection is a traditional New York- New Jersey Shape. It is seen quite frequently throughout the Garden State in various Towns, The Big Apple, and on "Blue Bloods."

The shape, size, panels and seal are quite common, yet, to a Collector such as myself, all of this is mesmerizing. It makes this addition a trophy for sure.

The shield itself is silver tone, with two panels, and a number box. In the middle is a reverse side stamped N.J. State Seal. The panels read: "City of Bayonne" and "POLICE." The letters "NJ" also appear underneath the numbers.

I have given this badge a very proper place in a display containing several community's that are designated "Cities".
Like all of my displays they fill the walls of my Den, where I am able to view and salute them every day. 

Included in that view is this Bayonne Badge of another era. That one has a distinct "City Seal" at center point.

 

I am fortunate to have both of these badges in my collection. I am grateful, and most happy to share through these two pictures with other hobbyists.

NEWARK DETECTIVES INVESTIGATE BEGINNINGS OF TONG WAR 1930

In an attempt to rid myself of some of the boredom I have had, due to Covid Restrictions,  started reviewing this old scrap book I purchased a year or so ago. I blogged about it last year.  I purchased the book after a New England couple "found" it in a pile of trash. The book contains news clippings of crimes in Newark. City Detective Morris Kirwan is mentioned in almost every article, so the presumption is, This was his Book. My wife thought I was crazy to buy this old book of someone else's memories.

The Book was originally a Newark Police Desk Blotter. Det. Kirwan pasted his news clippings, photos, and letters over the original pages. Some pages included photos from different crime scenes.  These pictures were re- printed onto the pages of The Newark News, and make for very interesting reading. 

In my initial review I found a couple of very interesting items in the book, which I have since sold. I made a nice return on my investment, so My wife can't say I am crazy any longer. One of those items was a Piece of Mail,  from the Crime Scene of the murder of Charles Lindbergh's baby son in 1932.  The Second item was a "AP Teletype with Original Pictures" of three NYC Detectives, who were shot, pursuing a felon, in 1931.

In this same time period, I found a news clipping of a homicide story.  In addition to the news article there was  an "original photograph." The picture is a 4" x 6," black and white print. It shows four men in an old convertible. Condition is good.

Original Picture showing Low Sung Hung before his murder

This looks like a staged photo. I can only guess that the Detectives found this picture, and used it to aid in their investigation. It is assumed that Det. Kirwan marked the name "Low Sung," onto the photograph, which is now 90 years old. It is in excellent shape, and finding a nice home in my Newark Memorabilia Collection.

The news story reveals that Mr. Low Sung Hung was found dead in an alley, near midnight (date believed to be in 1930). He was shot twice, and stabbed once. 

Detectives feared that this murder was the "...fresh outbreak of War between the rival gangs Hip Sing and On Leong Tongs." Their investigation revealed the victim to be age 35, employed as a Cook, and affiliated with the "Tongs."  Police also found a nearly complete letter to his Mother.  It indicated he expected someone to kill him, and "Cut out His Stomach."

Three arrests were made the same weekend as the murder, but there is no information about a trial or convictions. The news clipping follows below.

Pictured is of a News Clipping from circa July 1930. Photo by Dennis Beyer

When I located this scrap book, I inquired as to other souvenirs from Det. Kirwan's career. Sadly I was told his badges were located, but distributed to unknown family or friends.

The badges below are representative of those in use in the 1930's. Det. Kirwan's badge would have looked like one of these. They are almost identical to the current Detective Shield, but without a "blue enamel ring" behind the letters. The Newark "City Seal," with a hand holding a hammer," is prominently located at the badge center point.

Photo by Dennis Beyer

Photo by Dennis Beyer

Photo by Dennis Beyer

The three 1930 vintage N.P.D. Detective Badges Badges shown here are now part of a display in my Den. They are part of my collection, and often taken to Police Shows in the Florida area. I have a deep fondness for these beautiful badges, and the history behind them. Certainly the story above has contributed to my memories, and my visits with city history.

 LARGE TURNOUT IN ORLANDO OR "VACATION CAPITAL POLICE BADGE AND PATCH SHOW"

by Doug Sarubbi & Dennis Beyer

 

The ROSEN PLAZA HOTEL was the location for the Sep. 4, 2021 Vacation Capital Police Badge and Patch Show. Hobbyists from across the Country used over 100 tables to display vintage badges, patches, and other Law Enforcement collectibles.

There was a positive response to this year's show even with covid still on the scene. The hosts were Doug Sarubbi,  and John Holmes.

Collectors seemed to have a twin focus at this years' show. First, was the obvious interest in the displays' and items for sale or trade. The Second, was the simple conversations regarding the impact of the covid pandemic on our hobby.

In the previous year we dealt with physical health issues, and the related strain on our emotions. Stress and turmoil ruled our lives, but this years' show was a major step forward bringing us out of the shadows of the plague that impacted our lives.

Every display at the 2021 Show was a reflection of a lifetime investment in the hobby. Each display had a story. Each item had a story.

The Badge below belongs to Ron Bartholomue. He has been a Collector for 50 years. He has every Presidential Inauguration Badge since 1935. He proudly displays his collection, and is happy to talk about each badge. The shield below was the first issue, and was made, not by a governmental department, but by the Shriner's in 1935. This was during Franklin Roosevelt's Presidency. 

 

In another corner of the Rosen Plaza Hotel's Ballroom there were multiple tables used by Jeff Peeler. He is a regular at Florida shows, and is also happy to tell the story about his Florida Highway Patrol Collection. The item below is a nicely framed and labeled grouping of the various ranks for Troopers.

 

 

Looking around the Ballroom several Displays had other items of Law Enforcement Memorabilia. Some fine examples are pictured  below. The first photo is of an antique Hat, and Red and Blue police car lights. The second photo focuses on Jacksonville Police Department and Duvall County Sheriff's Department. It includes uniform shirts and a rare photo of uniformed officers.

 

 

 

At the Noon Hour the Show was called to order and awards were presented by the organizers. Doug Sarubbi made the announcements and presentation of the 2021 trophies. Doug's daughter, Meghan, assisted with the photography.

Below are photos of the winners, with the Hosts of the Show. They are:

 

1. Jeff Peeler        for BEST PATCH DISPLAY

 2. Dennis Beyer  for BEST BADGE DISPLAY

 3. Gary Teragawa  for BEST OVERALL    DISPLAY  

4. Mark Weinstein for Honorable Mention

5. Sam Goldstein Won the Patch Drop

 

In conclusion take a look at this picture of two old license plates. The top plate carries a message - ARRIVE ALIVE. That is a very positive thought. Keep it in mind when thinking of 2022, your future endeavors, and next years' Show.