RELICS FROM DEFUNCT ESSEX COUNTY PARK POLICE

Behave in the Park or the guys in blue will get you. 

Essex County, N.J. is a small geographic area, but it has many parks. Branch Brook Park, and Weequahic Park are two well know pieces of real estate located in the City of Newark.

Each year there is an annual Cherry Blossom festival. The park has around 4000 trees. That's a lot, and that is the reason this festival is the largest in the entire U.S.

The design of the park was by Frederick Olmstead. Mr. "O" had some good experience having created Central Park in New York City. He did not create the muggers that enjoy all of these parks.  

Weequahic Park is on the South side of Newark. It was the centerpiece for what was a very nice neighborhood. It has a lake, and in its 'hey day' even had a race track for trotters.

The County Park Commission established a police force to protect all county parks. The officers' authority was limited pretty much to inside the borders of the county's parkland. On many a day the officer had to drive from one park to another. 

Things change and in the 70"s the County created the Essex County Police Department. They had jurisdiction now over Roads, County Property, and the Parks. 

You can see how jurisdiction may have had its conflicts within the municipalities, who had their own police forces. There was also a conflict with the County Sheriff's Department. As a result it was possible to have three cars on a scene representing three police departments, all paid by the same taxpayer.

After the new Millennium  this jurisdictional problem went away as the County Police were absorbed into the Sheriff's Department. Now there are only two cars at a crime scene.

This all means you might see some "County Police" badges floating around for collectors. I don't have any. What is pictured is from the original Park Police. They are in great condition and remind me of many stories involving the Parks in Essex County.

They warrant their own display case and are part of my museum (den). Sure I like them, and I am very happy that I can remember some of this history. My father, a Newark Officer was awarded a National Life Saving Medal for pulling a man out of the lake in Branch Brook Park. As noted above that is in Newark, but not my father's jurisdiction.

I trust Mr. Olmstead would be pleased with my recollections regarding the history and political yarns reported here. I certainly enjoyed the memories.

LAST CALL FOR TITUSVILLE SHOW

This is a reminder that there will be a Show in Titusville, Fl. It will be at the Elks Club on January 25.  See earlier post for all the details.

VILLAGE OF SOUTH ORANGE

These fine old items come from a municipality known as South Orange. Since I have six of these badges they are displayed separately from my other Municipal Badges.

South Orange is certainly unique. Originally there was one community with this name, but the lower portion pulled away after the Civil War seeking its own identity. It took over 30 years, but the NJ Legislature in 1904 formally created The Village Of South Orange.  The other piece of this original community just dropped their claim to the name and became Maplewood. It's confusing as to why this happened.

Today the "village" is one of four villages in New Jersey. There is  a Village President instead of a Mayor. The community is home to just over 15,000 people. You can add another 5000 when  Seton Hall University opens its campus. 

The University has its' own police, however once in the while the locals come in for an assist. That's called cooperation. The need is minimal as this is a great school in a great little Township (technically correct as the Village adopted the Township form of government in 1981). Now that is confusing.

Today the Police Department is around 60 officers. The head of the Department is a Police Director.

The badges above are around 60 -70 years of age. At the top is younger "Special" Officer badge numbered # 11. 

Following are: Patrolman, Lieutenant and a Captain badges.

The last two are from the head honchos' They are Chief Badges. One is Chief of the Police Reserves.  The last is a Chief of the Police Department.

These badge have been with me since the early 1980's. I am very pleased to have them as part of my collection and have had them under glass in my home for close to twenty years now.

The remind me of many memories I had as a kid. I could ride my bike to the Village and often played baseball at Cameron Field. In the winter my friends and I would sleigh ride down the hill at the same park. That was cool. So cool it makes my bones ache. I like the memories, and there is no confusion about that.

2013 YEAR END MEMORIES AND SALUTE

Another year has come, and gone. It's time to give a moment or two to remember friends who have passed on. One way or another they are still with us.

It has been a couple of years since one of my friends answered his last call. His grand-daughter drew the picture below. I published it last year and think it is a nice gesture so it is here this year too. It makes a very nice memory.

In addition to this Officer, there are others who have passed away in 2013. They leave us and their FAMLIES behind.  

Miss you guys!

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, SOME INTERESTING ACQUISTIONS

I have had the above four badges 30 years or more. I have them assembled into a single display as the top picture reveals.

The first badge I obtained in the late 70's. It is the design that was replaced by the badge on the bottom, or the 4th item. Note the change in the State Seals. On the bottom there is a "Blue Ring" which has been modified now to full color seals. So with one and four you have "new" and "old."

Take a look at the second badge in this series. First note the huge stamped seal that takes up almost the entire center area of this beauty. It says, " I am an antique."  Another thing to note is the words "Reform School." I am sure, to be politically correct, you can't say that anymore. My guess is this dates back to the 1940's or earlier.

The third badge, "Outside Guard" is interesting. The words are no longer used on the current badges that I know of. The badge is similar in shape to the one on the bottom, but look at the huge difference in State Seals. This one is certainly old too.

I believe these items came from institutions named for their municipal location: Rahway, Jamesburg, Trenton, and Rahway again. Today these institutions take their names, to be politically correct, from points on the compass.

Over the years I had occasion to visit these facilities of higher education. I usually spent an hour getting in and out to do a quick interview. I loved hearing the recess bell (in my head) telling me it was time to "Go Home." Definitely glad I could do that.

I can't say that there is a fond memory associated with these places, but I certainly do like the badges and give them the respect they deserve here in my retirement Casa de Napoli en Florida.

A ROYAL TIME IN THE BAHAMAS

We were gone only a week. We went to the Bahamas (Nassau). We sought a week of rest and relaxation, but we got far more then expected.

While we were there we took a couple small trips to see some historical points of interest. We saw ancient forts, the downtown shopping area, and Police Headquarters (The Old Guy was giving the taxi driver directions!).

We had a few Police Officers inquiring at their back door as to, "What did we want?" A Handshake and a Picture was the request.

Well the request, after a few more questions, was Okay-ed  by Commissioner Ellison Greenslade, after he personally checked Sir Dennis out.

Pictures were taken on the spot, and even Lois was asked to be in them. Then the Commissioner said,  "We should do this in front of HQ." After following The Boss Cop to the front of HQ, for more pictures, he invited us to lunch. Even Marvin our Marvelous Taxi Driver was in shock.

A couple of days later we were picked up at our Hotel and taken to Police HQ. There, we were given a fabulous tour of the building. It was built by the police officers themselves. It was impressive. The officers are quite proud of it. It is a tribute to their history, and their personal "special" relationship with each other.

Somewhere during this wonderful lunch, prepared by police officers, Sir Dennis was presented with a Plaque, and a book titled: The Story of the Royal Bahamas Police Force. Now he, along with the Taxi Driver, was in total shock!

Once our Mr. Beyer was revived we took another set of pictures around a fabulous Christmas Tree. An Officer of each Rank stood side by side, forming a semi-circle in front of the tree.

The Officers stood at attention, proud to show the uniform that they wear in service with the Royal Bahamas Police Force. To further top the day The Commissioner made Sir Dennis an Honorary Inspector (which, fortunately, did not cause a cardiac arrest).

Words could not express the emotions that were felt that November 18th.

If all this was not enough two days later, we were dispatched to a an Encounter with The Dolphins at Blue Lagoon Island. This was amazing. This trip is truly one for the books. My birthday is on November 22. This experience was a great present and one that will always be remembered.

I can't thank Marvin Armbrister (1-242-4567517), who took me wherever I wanted to go while we were on Paradise Island. It was Marvin who let me twist his arm to drive into the back of the Police Dept. to ask just for a "handshake and a picture." While he was a little reluctant to go where it was marked "Police Vehicles only," I got him to put his concerns aside with my best island talk with the words, "Don't Worry, Have Fun."  Thank you Marvin (marvinarmbrister@hotmail.com).

The wife and I also acknowledge and thank Superintendent Stephen Deans for taking time, from his duties, to bring us to break bread with us, and have lunch with the Commissioner. Supt Deans also got us to see the Dolphins. The  Dolphin picture below is from the Encounters Photographer, on Nov. 20, 2013. That was an absolutely fabulous  day.

For this entire once in a lifetime experience, our thanks for the memories of a handshake, a salute, and our friendship, goes to one man in particular:  Commissioner of Police (COP),  Royal Bahamas Police Force,  Ellison Greenslade.

THANK YOU !

*****

UNION TOWNSHIP

The above case is the complete group of eight old issue badges from Union Township, NJ. As one can see I display them behind glass in a locking case.

The above shield was made for a "Special" Police Office and is numbered 548.

Above is an Old Badge for a
Detective, and   numbered - 6.

On the left is a Sergeant badge.

 To the right is a Lieutenant Badge. The condition on this item is not as good as I would like, but still is a keeper.


Below in a little better condition is a Captain's shield.

To the right is another Detective Badge that is numbered - 682







Below are two Patrolman Badges that I manged to collect over the years. One is in rough shape and has a number 5 at the center of the number box, while the one in better shape is numbered 100.

Wow all these pictures took up a lot of space. I almost forgot to write my mandatory bit about the community.

Union Township is next to Newark. It is not the same place as Union City. As its' name suggests it is a Township. It is probably best know as a residential community.

There are three major highways that make this a very busy community. They are Route 22,  Interstate 78, and the Garden State Parkway. Only 50,000 people exit these roads to join there families at night.

In Revolutionary Times this was the third settlement in New Jersey. Then it was called Connecticut Farms. There is a school with that same name, as well as a Church. They are located on one of the local roads dissecting the community. It is Stuyvesant Ave. I lived on that street, just beyond Union's border, some 45 years ago.

In the same area, but closer to Route 22, is a bowling alley. I used to go there when I was a tad younger. I recall some "singing group" tried to get a gig in the bar at this bowling alley and failed. Sitting in the parking lot, they decided a name change might help change their career. They took the name of the bowling alley - The Four Seasons.

As I check my display on the daily basis I am reminded of many memories including my wedding reception in Union Township exactly 46 years ago. Maybe these badges help with that, but none the less I am pleased to have them in my collection of memories.