CITY COLLECTION: O FOR ANOTHER ORANGE

"ORANGE" is the name of another City in NJ. I have a couple of badges from this City, but no recollection as to how I got so lucky to get them. I hope the memory loss is not a sign of the onset of Alzheimer's

I do remember the City of Orange quite well. The City is the size of a postage stamp, and is cut in half by Interstate 280. I'd like to say that this community is a quiet suburban town, but that would be a huge stretch of the imagination.

This City was a fun town: They had a bar on almost every corner. At one time Rheingold Brewery was located there - right next to the Interstate. The beer was decent, but the Miss Rheingold Contest's were great. Those are pleasant memories.

I guess it was a good 40 years ago that I visited some night spots in Orange. One joint was said to be frequented by "Two Ton" Tony Galento. He was a boxer and a colorful guy. In the 1940's, into the 50's, he owned a bar in this City. Later he was a bar tender and a community hero. He was still a legend in the 60's when I was just learning about "whiskey and women."

Galento fought Joe Louis, and boasted before the fight that: "I'll moider da bum." He became pretty famous for that line. He also became a legend for knocking Louis off his feet. Despite that famous knockdown, Galento lost the fight.

As a boxer he had a style that has been reported to make "Mike Tyson look like Lord of the Princes." Tony Galento could have been the SWAT Team if he were a Cop. That brings me back to the badges from Orange in my City Collection.

Looking in the case where the majority of my "City Collection" is housed, there is an old traditional style "Officer's Badge" from Orange, N.J. It is in excellent condition, and carries the number 80 in the lower panel. The top panels are marked: "City of Orange" followed by "Police." I also have a Lieutenant's badge that is a real relic. This one is in pretty good condition. The paint in the letters is somewhat worn. The State Seal was placed in the center of the badge prior to plating. The overall finish is still very good.

As noted above I don't recall how I obtained this badge. I am very happy to have it, along with some good memories relating to this City. I am also glad that I no longer think I am in the early stages of Alzheimer's.

CITY COLLECTION: E IS FOR EAST ORANGE

E IS FOR EAST ORANGE. It sounds like it should be an orange grove in my Naples, Fl. backyard.

It isn't an orange grove, and it isn't in my backyard! This is a Major City in New Jersey, and one of the twenty City badges in the collection pictured above. Old number 50 is number four in the top row.

Back to Oranges - The City of East Orange is one of four municipalities, all in Essex County, bordering on each other and having "Orange" in its' name. Two, Orange and East Orange, are Cities. My birth certificate says I was born in E.O. at the General Hospital some 100 years ago - maybe a little less. I guess that makes me a native son.

A number of my relatives were born and raised in this City. One worked in the Tax Collectors Office. The other was cop. His name was Sam. He was a jovial guy who loved his job. It was said that, even after he retired he walked his beat. At least he did at Christmas time. That's dedication. I wish I had his old badge, but it's M.I.A.

This City has a population of just under 70,000. It is know as the "Cross Roads of New Jersey." It had that name long before the Garden State Parkway crossed Interstate 280. The County probation department, where I worked, had an office in this area (9th and Grove).

Thinking about that area I recall one of the officers, who worked for me, in that old office. He was an Italian kid. I called him Geronimo because he had a bow and arrow in his vehicle. One midnight he decided to test his skill by shooting arrows into an abandoned apartment building across the street from our office. I think he was sending a message, but I never got his point. Today that incident is just a great memory.

I have a couple of nice badges from this City. One is an officer's shield and the second is a detectives badge. I have had them a good 40 years, and they were old when I got them.

The Officer's badge is a real nice traditional shape item. It is nickle plated and in good condition for its' age. It simply reads: "East Orange - Police." In the center are the applied numbers 50. These numbers may not have been the originals. There is discoloration on them and also on the badge around them.

The second badge is housed in an other display I have. It is the same shape as the New York Captain's shield. This one is in very good condition. It is gold finish with blue letters spelling out: East Orange, Police, Detective. In the center is the N.J. State Seal in a circle of blue.

Both of these items have a fine home under glass in my home. When I see them they always bring back some very special memories of relatives and that kid I called Geronimo.

CITY COLLECTION: B is for BAYONNE

B IS FOR BAYONNE. In my collection of "City Badges," Bayonne is the third badge hanging under glass on my wall. I have Twenty "City" shields in my display including, eight of the top ten.

The City is home to approximately 60,000 people. It is located on both New York Bay and Newark Bay. That may sound inviting, but this is definitely not a "Shore" destination. Don't rush to book a room for a visit. If you do get one with a view of the Bayonne Bridge, taking traffic over the famous Kill Van Kull Waters, leading to beautiful Staten Island, N.Y. The bridge is lit up, at night in Red, White and Blue as a 9-11 memorial.

This is the City that Tommy Lee Jones proclaimed: "aliens had taken over." I guess they didn't have GPS. The Ninja's called the place the "Slime Capital of the World." I am just glad they have a great Police Department.

A friend, who served on the Bayonne Police force, lived under the bridge. He had a daily view of Staten Island. The guy was built like a linebacker, rode motorcycles, and thought like Arnie Schwartzneger. Over the years he was nagged to get me a badge for my collection. Failure must have been his middle name.

Some where in the late 1980's I did get a Bayonne Badge, but not from the friend on the force. The picture does it no justice. It is an old "Sunburst" design with reverse blue lettering. It reads: Bayonne City Police - Lieutenant.

In the center of this badge is the NJ State Seal. The seal is gold finished on a blue circle. It looks a little larger then usual, but is a fine looking piece.

I used this addition to my collection as a means to further nag my buddy to find something else for me. It took a while but the other badges featured here eventually made it to my wall. One is from Bayonne Civil Defense. The other is said to be from the Navy's Military Ocean Terminal. That was the site where Robert DeNiro made the film: "Men of Honor."

The Seal on the badge is multi color and in pristine condition. It is Red lettering (CD) in a White triangle over a Blue circle. The badge is New York styled and reads: Auxiliary Police, Bayonne, NJ # 244. The item is in excellent condition. It joins a couple of other Civil Defense Badges that I have.

On the "Navy" badge the seal is an eagle carrying an anchor. It is marked N.Y.N.S. and that is believed to be short for New York Naval Station. The item is pretty well beat up and somewhat of a mystery. The belief is it is from the World War Two era, and that it has roots in the Bayonne Navy Yard. The Navy Yard in Brooklyn is also a possibility, ,but I prefer to think this item comes from N.J. The area is now a cruise port. Things do change.

All three of these badges bring back some good memories. Bayonne isn't a bad place at all. I am glad to have these badges as reminders of that community.

CITY COLLECTION: A FOR ATLANTIC CITY

A IS FOR ATLANTIC CITY. When I see this "Atlantic City Badge" it brings back memories of the New Jersey Shore. The first thought that comes to mind is the "Steel Pier." This was a national treasure, and a major attraction. It was built in 1898. My memory doesn't go back quite that far, but there are some things that I do recall from the fabulous 50's.

I remember a couple of trips to Atlantic City. It was for some special reason. Whatever it was I can't retrieve it, but I do know how thrilled I was just to go on the Boardwalk. To actually go on the Steel Pier, and then see the famous horse dive from a tower into the water was certainly a memory maker. The horse and rider always survived the jump of thirty-five feet into the Atlantic Ocean. The water was a lot cleaner then.

Once I took a ride in a Diving Bell located on the Pier as an amusement feature for daring visitors. I am not sure if it went down 20 feet or 200 feet as the visibility wasn't that good. It is, however, very clear in my mind that there were instructions to "hold on" when the thing surfaced. It came up rather quickly, and naturally I didn't listen. I learned - Follow instructions!

The pier was also home to a large theater. I understand it was the location of the Miss America Pageant. That was in the late 1930's, which was also before my time. Some major talent performed there. Frank Sinatra, a Real Home Grown Jersey Boy, played there. So did Paul Anka. I saw a star named George Hamilton IV. He sang "A Rose and a Baby Ruth." That should give one an idea of my age. I am just glad to remember these things.

There was a fire in the late 60's that destroyed a major section of the Steel Pier. That fire also marked the end of my memories associated with Atlantic City. The Pier did continue to function. It was just different after the fire.

In the 80's I again got to spent some official time in A.C. The Boardwalk was different. It was now home to many Casino's. I managed to stay in some such as Playboy, Sands, and Bally's. I also stayed in some of the Casino's owned by Donald Trump. It seems like he owned everything. I think he even owns the Steel Pier today.

During my official visits to A.C. I always had the thought of adding a badge or two to my collection from this City. I only got one. It came from a major Hotel, but that is a different memory. It took until the mid 90's before scoring the above Captain's badge. A fellow collector actually picked it up for me at a N.J. Show. I am so happy his focus is patches.

The man did a great job getting the "Captain's" shield as well as another from a city up the coast. This Atlantic City badge is number two alphabetically in my "City" collection. I have a total of twenty-one New Jersey cities represented.

The above picture does not do this badge justice. It is in excellent condition. In the center is a State Seal in multi color. It is surrounded by raised panels with reverse lettering on blue panels. It certainly is a very nice item to have in the display on my wall.

Shortly after obtaining the A.C. badge I was able to obtain another item from this City. It was not a police badge or pin, but one issued for the railroad. This item is in good condition, however I am missing its' history. It is shown for your enjoyment.

For years the badge and train pin were the only items I had from New Jersey's Casino Town. A few weeks ago the above patches made their way into my den. They were gifts from an officer with a hideout just north of my home in the Everglades. He knew of my special interest in another City in the Garden State. and gave me a badge (that will be another story), and two patches from an area he treasures. Both patches are pictured with this story. The day he gave me these items we confabulated (look it up) like we were long lost friends. Hopefully we will continue this friendship, and share many more memories.

COLD CASE FLAW

A while ago I noted a costume flaw when Lil was shown, in a flash back to her rookie days, wearing the blue uniform - with a New Jersey hat badge. Several weeks later I noticed the Philly PD officers were all using the same hat badge. I wonder who is the supplier for Cold Case uniforms. I like the NJ stuff, but really some more realism is needed. I will still watch the show and certainly keep a very close eye on Lil. I'll even watch those uniform HATS !!!

CITY COLLECTION: A FOR ASBURY PARK

A IS FOR ASBURY PARK. I once got to see the Newark Police Band participate in a parade at the Jersey Shore. It was in the City of Asbury Park.

Asbury has been called home by many famous people including Bud Abbott and Danny DeVito. The town is best known for its' wonderful boardwalk. It is world famous.

In 1934 Asbury Park's beaches made world news. It was on September 8Th that a luxury liner exploded off shore. One hundred thirty seven people died that day. At the time this was the largest, peace time, marine tragedy.

In September of this year the City of Asbury Park will mark the 75th anniversary of the S.S. Morro Castle beaching on its shoreline. The burning luxury liner attracted thousands of people looking for a memory.

I recall my father showing me a huge picture he took of the wrecked ocean liner. The picture is lost, but not my memory of it. The print was something like 10" x 18", and you had to roll it out on a table just to see the entire thing.

The above picture was found on line when researching this story. There are also some excellent photos of this tragedy which may be viewed on line at: www.asburyparklibrary.org/morrocastle/gallery

As a kid I recall staying overnight near, but not in, the famed Berkley Hotel. I enjoyed the thrill of walking 'the boards' and running on the beach looking at the ocean. The reason for one trip, in particular, to Asbury Park was to see my Dad, and the Newark Police Band. The group marched in a parade hosted by The City Of Asbury Park.

There are no pictures of that day, but I do have two that relate to the Newark Police Band. The first was from 1934. In this one my father is in the second Row, extreme left. The other picture was taken in the 1950's. My Dad is in the center of the three officers. It is his Police Band Badge also pictured with this article.

I liked parades back then. I liked seeing soldiers, tanks and fire engines roll down the street. I was thrilled to hear the bass drum give that sound that signaled that the N.P.D. Band was approaching and ready to play. The music was usually something by John Phillip Sousa. Regardless of the musical selection the presentation electrified the crowd. I can still hear it.

As they approached my eyes were surprised to see that the Drum Major, a giant of a man named "Cookie," was not in his usual position in front of the marching officers. Leading the band in this parade was a Drum Majorette! She was twirling a baton, and threw that thing a mile into the air. She then caught it without missing a step. This was a performance that made the crowd clap their hands and yell with approval.

These thoughts were dormant for many years until one day I found the pictured Asbury Park Badge for sale at a Badge Show in Coconut Creek, Fl. It's an older style badge that I have placed with badges from "Cities" in N.J.

There are twenty other "City" badges in that collection. This one is the first in alphabetical order. More important it is the daily reminder of some fine memories.

NJ PROBATION COLLECTION: "E" IS FOR ESSEX

In the alphabetical presentations of New Jersey Probation Officer Badges the first two County Departments, Atlantic and Camden County, have been presented in earlier stories.

The next letter in the display is "E." That is "E" as in Essex County.

Essex is the largest county in terms of population. At times it could feel like a million people are on the streets, in the stores, at the airport, or by the port. At times it could also feel like half the population was involved some way with the probation department. Fortunately that was just a feeling.

The first probation officer badge that made it into the hands of this collector is a real old timer. It once belonged to a man named Mulligan. He owned this badge in the 1950's prior to becoming Chief of the department.

The seal on this badge is the County Seal. When the State "took over" the twenty-one County Departments the State Seal became the official center piece. When that happened the appearance of those multi colored seals put the new badges in the "big leagues." At least that was the thought.

The County Seal is plated with the same finish on the badge. When H Buchlien & Son made this particular badge that was how they did the job. Multi color seals were not even on the drawing board, which gives one an idea of the age of this item. I estimate it to be 70 years old. The Seal is just a big cuddly old lion standing up with its' two front legs looking to whack someone. If one did not know this Lion belonged to Essex County they would only have to read the name printed on the outside of the circular County Seal.

As the picture reveals this is a gold finish badge with an eagle on top. It is simply lettered: "Probation Officer, Essex County, #14." Despite the age there is hardly any wear, making its' condition excellent. This is a one of a kind, and one that always brings back some great memories.