ORLANDO - "VACATION CAPITAL POLICE COLLECTORS SHOW"

As Phil Rizzuto, the Ex Yankee, would say, "Holly Cow."

I actually said more then that when it was announced that my New Jersey Exhibit won the "Best Badge Display" trophy. This was totally unexpected, but certainly very much appreciated.

I took over one hundred badges in cases to the show. On the first tripod I had twenty cities represented including most of New Jersey's largest. They are displayed in alphabetical order starting with the little city of Absecon. There is also one from Elizabeth, a major city, where Rizzuto resided.

On the table was a huge case holding fifty badges. This group represents those communities in N.J. that are not Incorporated as a "City." I started hanging on to badges in this group years ago while trying to satisfy the quest to have a New Jersey City Collection. They too are in alphabetical order starting with Bayonne, and ending with Wyckoff.

Next to this case are two small displays. they are not (unfortunately) rank sets, but do represent some nice old badges from the Village of South Orange, and the Township of Union.

Before the day was over I had the good fortune of adding a nice old badge from the City of Paterson, and a Chief's badge from the Borough of Fort Lee. These were nice badges but I had a problem acquiring them I didn't bring a check or enough cash. Thank God my wife, who served as my deputy at the show, had a check. I won't say she gave it up gladly, but she DID give me the money. All I could say was "Holy Cow."

On the second tripod in my exhibit were two cases representing the City of Newark. One case hold quite a few "unique badges" from the City that I obtained while searching for the few gems, in the second case, from the Newark Police Department.

There are so many more that are needed to complete the collection. I think I need something like 500 more for the Towns, Villages, and Boroughs section alone. I could probably use a half dozen more for the "City" group, and God only knows what would satisfy my thirst for Newark badges. If I ever got them all I don't know who, Rizzuto or my wife, would be calling me "Out at Home." I guess there is always a limit.

At the show I limited one badge to a single case. I displayed it along with a picture (1934) of the Newark Police Band. I am particularly proud of this item as my father was the last Commander of the N.P.D. Band. As a boy I held a brown paper bag containing a couple dozen of these badges. Now I have but one.

It took me forty years to acquire these badges now on display on the four walls of my den. I treasure each one, along with the story behind obtaining it. Having the collection recognized by others in the hobby warmed my heart and makes me very proud. When Sgt. Doug Sarubbi presented the trophy I think I broke his hand when we shook.

Sarubbi was the sponsor of this show, and he sure made me feel good. Of course he wasn't around when it came time to take the exhibit down, and load up the car. I am sure he will help next year when we meet again.

REMEMBER AIR RAID DRILLS AND CIVIL DEFENSE

The Fire department badge is a little smaller than the one given out by the police. The one pictured here is in mint condition, and is finished with gold tone plating. It has recessed blue lettering that states: "Deputy Chief, Newark Aux. Fire Dept." In the center is a nice blue circle, with that "triangle" filled in white and the well known red "CD" in the center. This is a very nice item.

In addition to the badges my Civil Defense Collection includes a couple of other items. One is an "old armband" that is marked with the red, white and blue circle. This one is marked on top with the word "Warden." On the outside of the triangle are the letters "D and C" while inside is the traditional "C and D." I am not sure what the "D/C" is all about, but I got it from a person in Newark so I display it with the badges.

The last item, a twenty pound hat, is my wife's favorite even though she was very concerned and said: "Where are you going to put that." I found a spot, even though it wasn't my first thought. It sits on top of the hutch on my desk. The wife was surprised and inquired: "Your not going to put that up there, are you?" It fit, and I think she likes it now. I do. It's history and brings back those memories of when I was a kid hiding under my desk, during an air raid warning test, back in grade school. A great memory.

These items go back a long way.

I was in grade school when every once in a while we had to hide under our desk, or march down the hall to a "safe" location. There were these warnings posted all around the school, as well as outside on telephone poles advising in case of an alarm get to a safe location. Some people even had bomb shelters.

If memory serves me correct the warning signs were a triangle sign. It was yellow in color. To a kid it was 'kinda' scary. Was someone really going to drop an A bomb on us kids up in Newark, N.J.? Who was going to help us if there was an attack?

The answer to the question was the Civil Defense people. All around the country civilian volunteers were trained and ready to assist local police and fire department in a variety of ways: Crowd control, traffic management, and medical services.

Almost every community had a Civil Defense unit. As a kid I didn't know that. Due to my focus on Newark memorabilia I learned that these units and there "triangle" identification, with colors red, white, and blue, was nationwide. I've seen Civil Defense badges, from other States, and the "triangle" is on everyone. They can be a nice focus for badge collectors, however, My interest is only Newark.

Over the years I have acquired a few "CD" badges and other items. The badges featured here are all similar shape whether issued by the police department or the fire department. It's easy to see which department had more money to spend.

The badges issued by the police are bigger, so that makes them more impressive under the "bigger is better" rule. They are finished with black recessed letters on a silver tone finish. They read: "Auxiliary, Civil Defense, Police, Newark, N.J." Each badge has a four digit number on the bottom panel.

Funds must have been short as the center seal is nothing like the seal on the fire badge, or on the seals seen from other communities. All read police, but only one has a slightly different presentation which is obvious from looking at the pictures.

LOW TECH RADIO

This item is from the N.P.D. It is an early low tech "radio." It carries the number 75 on its wood stock.

I think it is kinda cool as my Dad was one of the first real radio operators in the Newark Police Dept. He had a license to operate radios, but He probably never saw this type. It was used long before he was born.

In reality this item is really a signal Rattle. It was used in the 1800's. It was definitely made and used before Marconi, broadcasting at 77.7 clickohertz.

It has no electric cords. It has no batteries. It has no "On" or "Off" switch, or volume control. The Darn thing is made of wood, and now that wood is very old and dry. It requires a lot of TLC when handling.

The Rattle is roughly 8 inches top to bottom. It has some weight to it. So it might have had a "secondary use" which could explain some of the scratches and little dents here and there. I guess that makes it a "fun" tool too.

When the man in Blue was patrolling the streets of Newark, and had a need to communicate he would make the rattle emit a click. That sound could be heard by other officers in the same area. The sound could be received a block away. A response message could also be sent out by another officer using his Rattle.

This was an important tool back in the 1800's. The "clicks" were actually real time status reports. These sounds could alert other officers when help was needed. To this collector this early form of communication is very interesting. It is the roots of modern day communication.

Rattle #75 is now a nice supplement to my badge collection. It is proudly displayed along side of other treasures that have retired to Florida.

NEWARK'S "DREAMLAND BADGE" RETURNS HOME

This badge by itself is far from impressive. It is not a City "Police" item, but a "GUARD" badge for a Senior Citizens facility.

This writer thought he saw the last of it when he gave away to another collector, who lived some 1588 miles from sunny Naples, Fl. That man knew and loved Newark a little more than this writer.

Things change with time. After this badge had enough cold it found a way to return to its' original home down in the "glades.". It is back under glass, but this time it is with some unique badges from The City Of Newark. They are not all from the N.P.D. They are however issued by the City. That collection will get its' coverage here when time permits.

Dreamland, which is spelled out on the top of this badge, was the original name of a Dance Hall in Newark. It later became a roller skating arena. Twin Cities, also a Roller Skating Spot was located nearby in Elizabeth NJ. It was a magnet for the youth of my day.

In the 1940's Dreamland was considered "World Class" as far as skating. In the late 40's and earl 50's time did its' thing and changed the area. The skating arena disappeared. Senior Citizens took over the area. They soon learned that they needed some backup help for their "Gray Patrol." Unfortunately there simply was not enough help to hold crime down.

I learned from my friend in New Jersey that this location was a favorite for Newark Police Calls. Officers responded so much to this area that thought should have been given to establishing an outpost here.

Drugs and other crime ruined the area, but the memories have actually grown, and "DREAMLAND #1" has just become more valuable to this collector.

CITY COLLECTION: P IS FOR PASSAIC

P IS FOR PASSAIC. At one time there were two Passaic's in New Jersey. They are quite different communities.

One was a summer retreat area in and around the Passaic Valley. Over the years some of that large land area found new identities. The original area became part of what is now known as Long Hill, N.J. It should have been called Green Acres, as that is what the area was like when all this name changing took place.

The fine badge above is not from Green Acres or Long Hill. It is from the City of Passaic. The spelling is the same, and the river, with the same name meanders by both communities. That is where the similarity ends.

The City of Passaic has about 67,000 residents. Tracing its' roots one will see that this community was closely associated with textiles and manufacturing. Television can make a claim that its' origins have a strong link to this City. Network TV was born there circa 1940. I guess that means we should all thank Passaic when we watch "Law and Order."

I no longer recall how I obtained this very nice traditional badge. It was an early entry in my "City Collection." As the picture shows it is a beauty. The finish is silver tone, with black recessed letters. The top spells out: "City of Passaic, Police." At the bottom the letters "N.J." are moulded into the shield as is the State Seal.

A fine addition to any collection ! I am very glad to have it.

NJ PROBATION: M IS FOR MORRIS

"M" IS FOR MORRIS in my collection of defunct County Probation Department badges.

I lived in this County for almost thirty years. Initially it was just far enough from beautiful Newark to feel safe, and yet close enough to drive, down Highway 24, to where the job was actually located - 32 Johnson Ave. Neweark, N.J.

I doubt that office still exists. I don't plan to visit it on my next trip as I remember enough about it going back to the "Riots of 67." It was already an old two story building located in what was a fairly nice area on the South Side. Just up the street was South Side H.S. The name was changed to Maclcom X. Shabazz H.S. That took place back in those fun days of knocking on doors, and praying your car starts. It was fun to be a probation officer.

Morris County became my home in the early 70's. When I went home it was really a retreat. I lived in a place called Chatham. It was only 14 miles West of the office, but in a different time zone for sure.

Homes in this County were lived in. Street corners had signs letting you know where you were. The grass was for landscape purposes. This could be a great place to work, but that never happened.

While my career kept me for the most part in beautiful Newark I did have the pleasure of making several professional acquaintances in the MCPD. I often found a means to get to their County seat either for a meeting, court appearance, or a lunch near the Town Square.

Through these friends, and really years of begging, I finally got a donation to my collection. This was an amazing multiple item contribution that I exchanged for a good deal of work. I look at them and know I earned them.

As the pictures show these items are in great condition. They each have a multi color State Seal at center. Each one is gold tone, and represents a Title in the Department: Investigator, Senior Investigator, Officer, Senior Officer, Principal Officer, and Assistant Chief.

I am missing only one title to make this a true rank set. Nonetheless I have been very appreciative of each of these beauties, and the fine memory of obtaining them a couple of decades ago.

CITY COLLECTION: O IS FOR ORANGE

O IS FOR ORANGE. There are four communities that border on each other in New Jersey. "ORANGE" is one of two that are cities.

I have a couple of badges from the City of Orange, but no recollection as to how I got so lucky to get them. I have two fine badges, only one is in the "City Display." First, as usual, I have to write something about the City.

I remember "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 better. 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 reportedly 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. In the early 70's I believe Orange P.D. did have a cop that, alone, qualified as "The Swat Team." He taught self defense classes at the Essex County Police Academy. This 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 these fine collectible badges. I am very happy to have them, along with some good memories relating to this City.