NEWARK POLICE TELEPHONE OPERATOR BADGE

Today we use cell phones. They're usually small and fit right in your back pocket. They are really terrific, being able to: google info, take and send pictures, store notes, and, yes, make a direct call to your wife, your girlfriend, or HQ. 

To really appreciate the modern cell phone, you should look at the history of the "old land line" and its' roots. You will see that your calls worked through Desk and Wall Phones, Pay Phones and miles of Telephone Lines. It didn't take long for hundred's of calls to flood certain numbers (such as MI 2 5400).

In order to deal with call volume businesses, and the Newark Police Department, used "Switchboards" to direct calls to specific Officers. The city cops used Telephone Operators to route all their calls. They were the forerunner of today's "911" Operators.

In the 1930's a Badge was actually issued to the staff assigned to telephone duty. I obtained one, and reported on it years ago. Now it is time to look at it again.

This badge is old. It is in pretty good condition. It is definitely cool!  Hard to believe that Newark Police issued a Badge for the "Telephone Operator." But the did!

It is a badge that is built over a Sergeant or Lieutenants Badge. The necessary changes were accomplished by adding two panels to the original version of the badge. 

The top "new panel" reads "Telephone," and the bottom "new panel" reads "Operator." The number 22 is also on a separate, small number box on the bottom. 

The sections of the badge that read "Police" and "Newark, NJ" are part of original badge. Those letters are stamped into position from the rear and have a raised appearance.

In the center of the item is a Seal from the City of Newark. It looks to be set on the badge prior to plating.

This particular shape badge was rendered obsolete in mid 1950's. Little else is known about it, but it definitely is worthy of display. Today it is under glass, and hangs in a nice display in my museum.

 

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED !!!

  

Now here is a neat piece of history, even if it isn't a badge. 

This is an "Official Warning Ticket" that was used by Officers of the  POLICE DIVISION of the (NEWARK)   DEPARTMENT of PUBLIC SAFETY. 

This "Warning" was authorized by John A Brady, who served as Assistant Supervisor of Public Safety. That means he was the N.P.D. Chief's boss.

It is estimated that this "Warning" dates back to 1950 +/-. This would be when Newark still had a Commissioner Type of Government. The Mayor-Council Type of Government came into being between 1967-75.

The item is in very good condition. It is 3.5" inches by 7.0 inches on printed on a heavy manila paper. The word "Warning" is centered so you can't miss it in bold (half inch) black letters. 

When I worked in the Essex County Probation Department I obtained a few pieces of  Newark paper on my windshield. I never saw the word Warning on any of those tickets, but then again I never saw the 'signs' that read "No Parking." Those things are just bad memories, but the document pictured above is a nice piece of History that I am pleased to have, along with other Newark items, in my collection, that I have written about in the past. They are good memories.

 

WANTED

 

 

WANTED!  BY NEW  JERSEY COLLECTOR

Looking for  Badges, Handcuffs, Whistles or Pictures from

Municipal Police or County Probation Departments with

a particular interest in all items from City of  Newark.

 

Contact:

DENNIS BEYER 

 email: denb22@GMAIL.COM

Collecting 50 Years, and Producer of

"badgecollector.blogspot.com"

TRENTON, NJ'S CAPITAL CITY

 

As a Badge Collector my focus, after fifty years in the hobby, has been centered on my home City of Newark. On the way to completing that collection I have created some displays that are other NJ Municipalities.

I never emphasized TRENTON which is the Capital City. One reason is that I just never found many of their badges to trade or purchase.

Over the years I did stumble on two early Badges from New Jersey's Capital. They were acquired as far back as 30 years ago. The oldest is number 60. The newest is numbered 33. 

These two badges are almost identical. The differences is slight. Number 33 has a little wider body. It also has add on numerals. They also are set on a slight angle. They look like they may have changed a few times before this badge went its' merry way to the collectors world.

Both badges are somewhat worn, with number 60 still in excellent shape.  Despite the wear you can clearly see, in raised letters, "TRENTON CITY POLICE" around the centered City Seal. 

It is the "Seal" that tells you this is an authentic badge from Trenton. Of the five hundred (+) New Jersey Municipalities, most use a "State Seal." Trenton uses their distinct City Seal. 
 
On the back of number 33 you can see that the pin at some point in time was replaced. It is held together in a "mound" of solder. It certainly does not look like the manufacturers work, so probably a  do it yourself repair job. The "C" catch also looks to have been replaced. It too has excess solder holding it in place.

 My first Trenton Badge, number 60, is in far better condition, both front and rear. There are no issues with the pin, clasp or numerals.

Both of these fine pieces of history have found a home in what I call: City Collections Display. My goal (a long, long time ago) was to obtain the Top Ten N.J. Cities. Along the way to that goal I got a few more.

In that quest, for the "Big Ten," I have obtained a representative from 30 different Cities. I certainly like them, and I am proud to have them. They are all under glass in a nice display case that hangs on my wall.

All the badges hanging  in my den give me a nice feeling every day when I look at them. Most of them tell a story or tweak a memory. Guess that is why, after fifty years, I still collect them.

TITUSVILLE 2022, AFTER 35 YEARS THIS SHOW IS FLORIDA'S OLDEST MEMORABILIA ATTRACTION

January 29 was Show Day. It was a long journey, for the Wife and I, complicated by population growth, and traffic. We used the Interstates, I-75, I-4, & I-95. They reminded me of "urban crawl" which, in part, motivated my move to Florida twenty-two years ago.

When I arrived in Florida the TITUSVILLE BADGE & PATCH SHOW  was only a decade old.  Since its' very first year it has continuously been hosted by Steve and Karen Bridges. Hats off to them for keeping this Nationally Known Show alive for thirty-five years.

This year the Show Room was filled at the North Brevard Senior Center. There were Collectors from all over the U.S. with many familiar faces in particular from Florida. 

I checked the floor and saw Doug Sarubbi, John Holmes, Sam Goldstein, Jeff  Peeler and Chad Harris. All, as usual, attended with their great displays.

I brought some of my Treasures to put on display. Below are a couple that I like to show as they are quite rare. 

The Emergency Patch was worn on the back of a jacket and in use in 50's & 60's.

The Detective Shields are from the 30's & 40's. They pre-date current Shield. I am fortunate to have accumulated a total of five of these beauties. 

My father was actually issued both Police Officer Shield while working. The Gold-tone Detective Shield was his retirement badge. The revolver was on hand in post retirement years.

Away from my exhibits there were sales, and trades as usual. This took up most of the morning. I picked up two badges for my collection.   

Back in the 1940-1960 era this beautiful Gold-tone Badge was used by the "Top Dog" of the Fair Lawn, NJ (Animal Control Office). Today the Title of "POUNDMASTER" no longer exists longer exists.

The Summit N.J. Badge below is from a City that is home to one of my daughters. The price was right, and couldn't refuse it, so here I am with a good condition shield to add to my collection. I would date it as 1950 time frame. It was used by "Special Police" hired for specific job locations. Today this design is obsolete.

Following the lunch break, Steve Bridges called everyone to order. He presented awards to  Display Winners. After that it was time to pack up and say "Good Bye". Another great show was in the books.

Let's stay Healthy and Plan to see each other in 2023.

AUCTION SITE

A new auction Site has been advertised in PC News in the Jan.-Feb. Edition.

The site is for collectors of Law Enforcement Memorabilia. It is a nice looking creation, and already has over 800 members.

The Address is:  http//auction.collectors-badges.com

WANTED

 

WANTED!  BY NEW  JERSEY COLLECTOR

Looking for  Badges, Handcuffs, Whistles or Pictures from

Municipal Police or County Probation Departments with

a particular interest in all items from City of  Newark.

 

Contact:

DENNIS BEYER 

 email: denb22@GMAIL.COM

Collecting 50 Years, and Producer of

"badgecollector.blogspot.com"