NEW YORK CITY

At the end of the month the wife and I took a little ride (1300 miles) up North. We stayed in the Garden State, but escaped one fine afternoon over to New York City. It wasn't too crowded. I guess all the "Yorkies" were in Florida.

The first stop of the day was the Sea Port. We got there without incident via subway. I was so happy to have been able to get out of those tunnels and onto the street.

Following lunch and looking at the Brooklyn Bridge, I traveled down to the New York City Police Museum. It is located in an old precinct house, and contained tons of memorabilia. While my first interest is badges there were also many artifacts from 9-11. I saw a name I knew and was moved, and I also observed an iron cross wielded together from WTC scrap. That too was emotional.

I'll display a couple of pictures from these exhibits, and "down the road" write abut all the badges I saw.

After leaving I had enough memories of time gone by, and the police. I was ready to check out Wall Street without sirens or flashing lights. As I approached one corner I heard a strange chanting sound coming closer. As I looked up, the street was filled with over a thousand people. I quickly retreated and went around the block only to find the same thing, but further up I observed one or two of New York's finest.

It seems I stumbled onto the "International Pillow Fight Celebration." Well now that I knew what was going on I was cool. This was normal New York. Even those two NY Cops, without backup, looked cool.

While I enjoyed the day I never thought I would see a pillow fight and cops show.

NJ PROBATION COLLECTION: ATLANTIC PROBATION OFFICER

I obtained this in the 90's. I got it from a friend who worked in the department by the Sea. A few years later I got another, but it was not as nice as this one. It is a real old looking badge, with nickle finish that has lasted through the years.

It is in the writers "State Probation Badges" collection, and has a nice spot on the wall of my Den. It is the first badge in the case as they are displayed in alphabetical order, by county.

This badge, like all the rest, provides me with fond memories. I often visited this County, and worked with their officers on official business. I remember Atlantic City before the Casino' came to town. I remember the Steel Pier, the Beaches, and the Boardwalk. Those were great days.

Once gambling came to "A.C." it became a prime convention spot. I attended over 15 of these events and always had a good time. Once I give directions to someone to the Hotel where we stayed. It was like this: "Just come straight down the main drag and look for a Trump sign. I forgot Trump had at least four Hotels. That goof caused some stress back then, but today I can laugh about it, and that is good.

There are no County Probation Department's currently. They were merged into a "unified" State System a decade ago. With that merger came a new identity and new badges. I still like the old badge, and the memories that comes with it.

JERSEY HAT BADGES

Somewhere over the years I acquired these fine hat badges. I believe they are from the Newark Police Department, but I am just not sure. Must be old age.

As the pictures show they represent a "near" rank set: Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Inspector, and Deputy Chief. I am missing the "Chief." He must have kept it when he retired. I know he kept the wallet badge,because he didn't mind telling me: "This is one you're not going to get !"

Each of these badges is shaped like the New Jersey State Seal. A "horses head" is top center and distinctive. Garden State plows are visible in the center.

I never really paid much attention to Newark's' hat badges as baseball caps were the head cover I saw. I do recall my dad's dress uniform and the fact that there was a hat badge on it.

My memory on the baseball hats goes back maybe thirty or more years. Those hats never carried a badge. I think some of the special units had custom hats, and one unit (no longer in existence) had a combination of three "R's" on top. They letters stood for "Rapid Robbery Response." This was a quick and tough unit that swooped in like Batman in unmarked cars responding to Newark's numerous robbery calls. They did the job well, and as a result Newark is a crime free community today. Yeah, right.

Back to these oldies. Because these badges are shaped like the State Seal I question if they really are from Newark. Newark used a City Seal on their breast badges, so why use the State Seal on the hat badge?

On the other hand the rank of Inspector was rarely used in N.J. It was, however, a rank used in the N.P.D. So just maybe these old hat badges did come from the City.

I estimate they date back to the early 1960's before yielding their way to baseball caps. I have no idea when they were first introduced. Today they rest in an end table, that my wife allowed me to buy, and put in my den. It has a glass top so that these fine pieces are displayed in proper fashion "under glass."

THE NEWARK ENFORCER: TONY IMPERIALE

Out of the smoke and fires of the Newark Riots emerged a man who was a Giant. He was a no nonsense advocate of "law and order." He ruled the North Ward and provided "protection" for his neighbors, as well as several other community services.

He was known to all as Tony. His full name was Anthony Imperiale. He is still a legend even though he is no longer with us. Tony died Dec. 28, 1999 at the age of 68.

In life he had caught the eye of many. To some he was a baseball bat wielding racist, while to others he was a god.

Gov. Richard Hughes called his supporter "brownshirts." This was in response to Imperiales' street patrols in the North Ward. To his detractors Tony stated: "When the Black Panther comes, the white hunter will be waiting."

His patrols lasted for two years, ending only when he won a seat on the City Council. He later won a State Assembly seat as an Independent candidate, and a Senate seat as a Republican.

He established his own private detective and security service, and organized the North Ward First Aid Squad. He never denied an individual service because of race. If he could help someone he did just that.

For years Tony was a fixture in Newark's Columbus Day parades He always did something to get the crowd laughing or cheering for him such as driving a TANK on Broad Street. In another parade he dressed up as a gladiator and stood on a float with a very real Lion.

The badge pictured above is from Tony's enforcement enterprise. There are not many of these around, and certainly knowing some of the history makes it a real treasure.

NJ PROBATION COLLECTION: BERGEN COUNTY PROBATION BADGES

Bergen County is in the North East corner of the Garden State. New York is just across the Hudson River. People moved through Interstate 80 from the "Big Apple" to New Jersey, Pennsylvania and points West. On a rare occassion they got into trouble and had the opportunity to meet the fine members of the Bergen County Probation Department.

In the mid seventies Richard Nixon, after leaving office, purchased a hacienda in Saddle River located in this North Jersey county. I am not sure if he knew what a probation officer was or did, but as a pillar of the community, he had no contact with the fine officers from Bergen. That was his loss.

These guys were a good bunch. They could play softball, bowl and drink with the best. They were also very much into enforcement and looking out for John Q Citizen.

By the mid eighties this department had grown and among many needs were new badges for the troops. The Chief ordered a single sunburst style for himself, Assistant Chiefs, and Officers.

H Buchlien, in Newark was the maker, and produced a very fine badge that was gold in color, and had a NJ multi color seal at the center.

These badges stayed in service to 1994. At that time the State Judiciary combined all county departments into one State agency. Shortly thereafter the State issued their own badges to officer across New Jersey.

With the "retirement" of these county badges I can safely display a rank set. They are numbered 1, 2, and 4. Number 3 got away. These badges are in pristine condition. Naturally they are in a nice display case and are hanging on a wall in my den.

POLICE IN PERU: LIMA, CUZCO, & MACHU PICCHU

December 6th I took a break from blogs, badges and beer.



The wife and I got to do a two week trip around South America. It was guided tour, which was good as I didn't bring "my compass." into the jungle. Getting lost was easy at Iguassu Falls.

These falls are on the border of Argentina, and Brazil. Paraguay was just a couple of miles up the river. This is a long way from Rio de Janeiro where the trip originated.


Iguassu was spectacular. It was spread out over several miles. In that respect it wase seven times larger then Niagara Falls, and is a candidate for listing as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. They get my vote! But I must note Niagara Falls is much closer to home.

After spending the night with nature I was guided by Ollie North to a remote airport. We then flew to Buenos Aires, which is not in the jungle. Here I slept in a Sheraton Hotel, saw Eva Peron's tomb, and the got hauled off to a cattle ranch to partake in a "Fiesta Gaucha" in the heart of the Pampas. Here I saw Gauchos, and ate their grilled beef.

At the end of the day it was "good bye ranch" and back to civilization for Tango lessons. The instructor was cute so I was motivated, but I only learned one dance step. That was when I held the girl in my arms. I didn't need to learn anymore moves. Naturally when things are going well the time in Argentina came to an end.

The next stop was Peru. Arriving in Lima the idea of checking out the local police hit me. I figured I could get a badge, a hat or at least a picture. I had a mission.

When I had a chance I discussed my thoughts with the Guide assigned to us in Lima. She discouraged me from approaching the police. I was on my own, and would not be discouraged. I notice several of Lima's finest near one of the million cathedrals that were on the itinerary. When the group headed for the big old Church, I moved in for a picture.

Now look at the basic patrol car that I found parked just outside the Church's gates. I had no trouble getting a picture of it, and I even got someone to take my picture too. As I moved closer to what might have been a station house the Guide found me. She made me go to Church for I had sinned. I also noted an officer in the rear of his vehicle stand up with a machine gun. The Guide was right. It was time to go to Church.

The next morning I flew to Cuzzco, about an hour, by air away, from Lima. Here a new Guide was assigned to us, and she was sympathetic to my mission. She intervened with several officers and made sure I got that picture.

Around the City Square I was fortunate enough to get a couple of officers to let me use my camera up close. The young lady smiled quite nicely for me, as did the "officer in charge." Things were looking better. I had some pictures, but no badge or hat.

The next stop was Machu Picchu. Here I learned that this location was more than a "Lost City" on top of a mountain; but a real City (hamlet) at the base of the mountain.

The Guide, knowing the language, did make a pitch for me with the local constabulary, explaining that I was a collector. The officers smiled, and shook hands, but requests for more than a picture met with the response: "Adios". That's Spanish for "No badge or Hat."

I did mange to learn that the state run police do not earn a good deal of money. The pay is in the area of $200. a month in US dollars. Teachers earn about $100 more a month. The farmer earns a fraction of these salaries. Bottom line is even with our economy that has gone "d.o.a." it is still good to be home. This was a good trip, and trying to get these pictures added to the fun. Hope you enjoy them.

NJ PROBATION COLLECTION: RANK SET OF ESSEX PROBATION BADGES

Essex County (N.J.) is where I grew up. It was where I started a career in probation in 1965. I had to purchase my own badge, due to budgetary issues, back then. Over the years I bought more than one. It is only natural that I obtained these badges from this department as part of my collection.

The four shields pictured represent the rank groups that were authorized badges. The four ranks are: Officer, Principal Officer, Assistant Chief, and Chief. These were the only badges issued in a uniform manor, with appropriate record keeping in place.

Prior to this issue of the pictured badges a few shields were purchased by the department, or officer, and recycled. This practice died in the 60's. From then until the late 80's everyone was on their own. Some officers did not have badges, but most purchased 'something.'

Uniformity was non existent. Officers purchased what they liked or what they could afford. The department maintained no records of these private purchases. In the late 1980's that changed, as the department approved the design in the badges pictured here. Records were also kept.

H Buchlien & Son made the badges in this rank set. They made the official badges from the mid 80's until 1994. Hard to believe that was fifteen years ago when the County probation departments became part of a State run system. The State took about a year or so to issue their own badge rendering these beauties obsolete.

There are not many collectors of probation badges. That makes obtaining them extremely difficult, but it also makes those that have been acquired a true treasure. These four have a prominent spot, under glass in my museum, and certainly bring back fond memories.