NJ PROBATION COLLECTION: M IS FOR MERCER

Time to change gears again, so back to the "NJ Probation Collection" that I have been working on for a lifetime. I believe the collection has reached the optimal point with thirteen of twenty-one counties represented. Thank God I have a couple of rank sets included on the wall.

The item pictured above is a "Chief's" badge from the now defunct Mercer County Probation Department. It is the only one I have managed to find over the years, but it is a great find, and in great condition.

Mercer is a major county. It is on the Delaware River and scenic Pennsylvania. This is the area where General Washington rowed the boat a couple hundred years ago. There are historic tributes to him on both sides of the river.

The Barracks in Trenton are still in decent shape and offer history buffs something to see. They are located South of "The Crossing." They just may be included in the list of places Washington spent the night.

The City that developed here is Trenton. It eventually became the State Capital. That was a while ago - 1790 to be precise. The City also served for a brief period as our National Capital in the 1780's.

The Hughes Justice Complex is located in Trenton. It has a River view that is impressive. It is where the Supreme Court is located, and all of the Court's Administrative Offices. In 1994 the Court took over all judicial functions, including probation, from the county governments. With this occurrence the county departments became defunct agencies.

This badge is from the old Mercer County Probation Department. It has been obsolete for 16 years, and was perhaps used as long ago as 20 years. It is a sunburst design, with blue filled enamel in recessed letters with a multi color State Seal. It is a item this writer is proud to have in the collection.

CITY COLLECTION M IS FOR MARGATE

This marvelous badge is from the Great City of Margate, N.J. It certainly isn't a major City by any means, in fact this writer never realized that the place by the Jersey shore was an entity of its' own.

Fact is Margate is one of the places around the Jersey shore that does have City status. It is a sleepy little place that was once part of Atlantic City.

It gained its' own identity in 1885 as South Atlantic City, but twelve years later became the City of Margate. This sprawling metropolitan area ranges about eight to 10 blocks long.

If one likes to do travel and research this is a great place to visit. You certainly will get a good idea where all those "monopoly names" came from. Remember "Marvin Gardens". It's right here in Margate.

The City is well know for architecture. This is a fact that I forgot. As a kid I was dragged here to see "Lucy the Elephant." She is actually a wooden structure that is some 65' tall. It was built of wood in 1882 by a man named Lafferty and used as a hotel. Today it is a landmark. Woodrow Wilson stood inside it once.

Because of "Lucy," and the need to protect 8000 residents, there is a strong Police presence in this community. The Elephant probably gives them little to worry about. Friends tell me that the guys do a great job keeping the City a safe place.

The badge came along way to the "City Collection." It is the traditional badge that has been used by so many NJ Departments over the years with the plated State Seal set over the number box showing "22."

For an antique this item is in fabulous condition. It is only out shinned by the memory of that Wooden Elephant named Lucy. I can't believe I never wanted to really take a good look at that site. For now I'll just let the badge remind me of it.

CITY COLLECTION: L IS FOR LINDEN

L IS FOR LINDEN. I never knew Linden was a "City" until I got this badge a decade ago. The place formally became a City in 1925, on New Years Day. Before that date it was a Borough, or Township in Union County, New Jersey.

I always thought this place was just that - "A Place," but it was "A Place" with one big oil refinery.

The Refinery is just across the water from Staten Island. It's called Bayway Refinery, and it is a major employer. Some have said it is a major polluter. I always thought the smoke above the refinery was a landmark that gave new meaning to the phrase "heading south," or going to the shore.

The area around the refinery is not the place where you would want to reside. The place however is nicely cut apart by major highways such as US 1 & 9, and the NJ Turnpike. On one side is "Cancer Alley" and on the other is a fairly nice residential area.

There are just less than 40,000 people living and cutting grass here. Linden does not make the Top Ten Cities (by population) in N.J. It is, however, most likely in the top fifteen cities. This means it fits in my top twenty collection very nice.

The citizens of Linden have a fine law enforcement agency. It is not a "Car 54 Where Are You" operation. They have a full compliment of good guys in blue. These officers do their job and keep their citizens safe.

They are well organized and even have at least one Captain. The vintage badge pictured above is no longer in use. It has been in the collection for well over a decade. It is a fine looking badges, and in very good shape.

It is an unusual shield. It resembles the design that is more likely associated with fire professionals. Linden is not the only "Place" to use this design for its' Police Department.

As one can see it is gold finish and has black recessed letters. The rank of Captain stands proudly at the top of this item. Just below it are the words: Police Dept., Linden, N.J. The State Seal is in the center and also is gold finish.

Gunther Toody and Francis Muldoon would be proud to have this badge in their collection, along with their old Car 54. I am also very happy to have this badge. As to that old police car I'll just settle for the memory.

FIFTY YEAR OLD PICTURE

This picture is from an old poster that was created after the Newark Riots in 1967. I believe it was an answer to a changing attitude in the City. Newark was a dangerous place in the late 1960's . This poster gave fair warning to some, and was also seen on shirts and coffee mugs.

OLD MEMORIES HERE: N.P.D. ANNUAL REPORT 1893

I recently acquired this old book entitled: REPORT of the POLICE DEPARTMENT of the CITY OF NEWARK, N.J. - 1893. It is quite a piece of history.

The good news is that there is nothing in it about me, or anything I could possibly remember. I guess that made 1893 a good year.

An Irish Cop I knew, and a member of the Italian American Police Society of NJ, once told me that I would find history about "my family" if I ever got the opportunity to read one of these documents. I was filled with skepticism about that. I imagined a book, probably 1588 pages or more long; but then I read it. I got a fair idea as to what crime was like back in 1893, and then I found some "roots."

First let me present the crime facts from the man in charge who boasted that crime was down! Police Superintendent William H. Brown wrote that arrests in the City "...were but six thousand six hundred and five, a falling off of over four hundred." I guess that is good information to know. He should see Newark today.

Superintendent Brown further reported that there was only "one murder" in the City during 1893. "The homicide case, the killing of the poor old recluse, Miss Petty, was the most serious offence brought to the attention of the department." He got my attention.

Brown wrote that the perpetrator of this murder had not been arrested, but pointed out that officers are working the case hard to bring about an arrest. "If they are not successful it will not be from a lack of zeal upon their part, but rather to the manner of the woman's mode of living." This guy was way up front protecting his guys. I could almost hear the words coming out of his mouth. This too was neat information, but still I wanted to find something related to my family.

Every officer (287) in the Department was listed in this book. This section looked good. Reviewing the names was the purpose in getting this book. I wanted to check out names to see if any fit in the family genealogy picture.

Officers were presented according to their duty assignments. Here I found the name of Patrolman Herman Beyer. Coincidentally that was my father's name, although he was born in 1903. The officer listed in this book could possibly be his father or my grandfather. Their names were identical. On the next page I found Patrolman William Loftus who my cousin says is her Uncle.

Patrolman Beyer, in 1893, was assigned to the "First Precinct." They covered the Broad and Market Streets' business area. According to the annual report He was "Detailed - Broad St. Depot, C.R.R." That was a long time ago. Both He and the Central Rail Road (C.R.R.) are long gone. I never knew him and that is unfortunate.

Just reading the report, and appreciating the language of the day, coupled with the names of some relatives made me pleased with this addition to my collection. It took me on a trip through time, and enabled me to collect some more memories.

CITY COLLECTION: J FOR JERSEY CITY

J IS FOR JERSEY CITY. I have one nice badge from there in my City Collection. If you are not from New Jersey you probably think this "town' is the State Capital. It isn't, but it plays a huge role in elections. It has been said that more than double the population comes out to cast their ballot.

The place is on the Hudson River. It is just across from NYC and many memories. I remember the Circle Line and the trip around Manhattan. I remember the old Madison Square Garden, Times Square, New Years Eve, Forty-Second Street, and on and on. The best view of the Manhattan Skyline is across the Hudson River from Jersey City, N.J.

Searching through the cobwebs in my mind I remember some moments that at the time didn't seem like much. Elvis came here and had a problem with "the establishment." The spokesman for the local guys in blue was Police Commissioner Lawrence Whipple. He probably never liked "The King" but did "OK" in law enforcement circles, ultimately becoming a Federal Judge.

On the sports scene my favorite baseball team, The Dodgers, displayed their 1955 World Championship Flag over Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City. Pee Wee Reese scored the 1200Th run of his career here. That was 1956. The "Bums" also played here in 1957.

Today my Dodgers have long since moved West. Roosevelt Stadium is gone, and the New York Skyline isn't quite the same anymore. We all know what is missing from the above picture of the Skyline. I don't need this picture to remind me of those towers that I took for granted each day as I drove to work and viewed them on the horizon.

The sun still rises over Manhattan before shinning its' light on Jersey City. This badge shines like the sun in gold tone. It has a typical NJ multi color seal in the center. The letters of gold lay in a blue field that states: "Jersey City Police - Sergeant." It is believed to be authentic and has been in my hands a good twenty-five years. It is under glass in my den and is a constant reminder of many memories involving Jersey City.

NJ PROBATION COLLECTION: H IS FOR HUDSON

Hudson County is a small but very important county in New Jersey. It can trace its roots back some 400 years when Captain Henry Hudson sailed what now is the NY-NJ Port area.

Separating Hudson County from Manhattan is the Hudson River. The many communities here all have a great view of The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, The George Washington Bridge and The Empire State Building. There use to be a great view of the World Trade Center, but that has all changed.

Jersey City is the County Seat. It is where the first probation office in New Jersey opened in the early 1900's. It is still in business, but now as a State agency.

Richard Stevens was the first probation officer in the State. He made his rounds in Hudson County and was recognized for his efforts with offenders involved with alcohol abuse. The guy came from a wealthy family, and used his social status very effectively. This writer is not sure how successful his work with alcoholics was, but does know that today there are an inordinate number of bars in the county. Maybe that's a tribute to the man.

The badge, pictured above, was acquired in the late 1980's. It isn't Mr Stevens' badge for sure. It isn't even a probation officer shield. It has the title Investigator on it. In fact it reads "Senior Investigator."

It is a nice looking shield, and still in very good condition. The center has a multi color State Seal which looks impressive on the gold finish. The lettering is recessed blue enamel spelling out: Hudson County Superior Court.

Since Hudson is one of the major counties in New Jersey I would sure like to obtain an "Officer" Badge. They are difficult - to impossible to get. I've tried for 40 years without success. If anyone wants to make a donation I know exactly where to place it. For now this item will be the "Hudson" representative in my Jersey Probation Collections.