SCHOOL SAFETY PATROL DISPLAY

In this post  I am showing off "Safety Patrol Badges" from a display I made last year. I was touched by, and enjoyed, the memories associated with this collection.

On TOP you will see the largest of these old "Safety Patrol Badge".

It was issued by "Trenton" which is the Capital of New Jersey. Embossed on the arm shield is a traditional police badge with the markings of  "Trenton & Police" on the two top panels. Underneath is a "N.J. State Seal" which was not the normal Seal for Trenton Law Enforcement. Most likely this badge was part of a large (State or County) purchase that allowed individual Towns to add their particular identities, and use the common State Seal.

In the MIDDLE is a "Safety Patrol Badge" purchased by the N.J. State Police. It was used in many communities without the specific identity of a Town.  The badge is generic, thus allowing communities to participate in the program with minimal financial obligation.  In the center of this arm badge is the Seal of the N.J. State Police. It is easily recognizable  with its triangle design. Since the State Police paid for these badges,  why not use their own logo.

The last of these "Safety Patrol Badge" is on the BOTTOM.  It is from my home town -  the City of Newark. In looking at the badge stamped into the arm band you will see the same traditional shape police shield as Trenton's. The inside portion of the badge is of note. While it has two panels that read Newark Police, the remainder is unique. The word "Safety" is in the City Police's traditional number box. On the sides of the box  are Pillars holding a perch for the famous Newark Eagle. that designed badge is still in use today, as it was when I wore the safety patrol identification as a young boy in Newark during the late 1950's.

My City established  "The School Safety Patrol" on May 24, 1916. In so doing Newark was the first such Safety Patrol in the United States. The idea spread not only across New Jersey, but the entire U.S.A.

In order to give these old badges proper display exposure I have placed them on an old nightstick. It belonged to deceased Newark Police Officer Walter Weck. I am not sure I have the correct spelling of his name, but I recall he was a good friend of my father - Herman W Beyer. I estimate the night stick, left to my Dad, to be 75 years old. Officer Weck carved his initials on this stick thus making sure that he too, is part of those  Memories that I still enjoy collecting. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR, 2024 HAS ARRIVED

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2024

Another year behind us, and another ahead. I wish everyone a good year, and will do my best to keep this blog alive.

I will also be celebrating my 25th year of retirement. That is a milestone I never thought I would see. Well damn I now thinking of the next 25 years.

END OF WATCH - 2023

 

Another year has come, and gone. It's time to give a Moment or Two to Remember Friends who have passed on. Yet one way or another, they are still with us.

It has been a few years since one of my Badge Collector Friends answered His Last Call. His grand-daughter drew the picture below. I have published it before, and continue to think it is a nice gesture,  so here it is once again

In addition to this Officer, there are Others  who have passed away in 2023. They leave Us, and their FAMILIES Behind. 

They will always be Remembered.  

THE "OLD COUTESY CARD" - ISSUED IN 1945

 By: Dennis Beyer

I just got "My FOP Cards for 2024. That prompted me to reflect on the one pictured above. It was issued in 1945 by the Newark Police Officers'  "Patrolman's Benefit Association (PBA)". That is 79 years ago. The card is in perfect condition and is just a couple years younger then me. I'm in almost perfect condition if anyone cares. 

The card wasn't always in my possession. In fact it was 50+ years of age when I received from a nice Irish Lass that I worked with as a Probation Officer during my days in Newark.

Career changes brought us together in the mid 1990's. Conversation led to talk about my hobby, and that brought the gift of this "Honorary Membership" (PBA) Card. 

I reported years ago about having it in my collection. It is worthy of this repeat presentation. Of course it remains framed and prominently located in my Den.  I am still glad to have it.

COP JOKE

 

An officer observes a woman standing in the middle of the street. He approaches her and asks, “Are you OK?” 

The woman replies, “Yes, but how do I get to the hospital?” 

The officer says, “Just keep standing there.”

ESSEX COUNTY PARK POLICE, RARE #2 SET, PLUS TWO MORE

 By: Dennis Beyer

This a reprint of a post completed several years ago. I heard, but no confirmed, that the Park Police are being re-established. Anyone know? 

Behave in the Park, or the Boys 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, in Branch Brook Park,  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 however 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 (that explains the hay).

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 in order to complete his rounds.. 

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 Police 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 direct jurisdiction. 

I trust Mr. Olmstead would be pleased with my recollections regarding the history and political yarns reported here. I certainly enjoyed the memories. Also allow me to note today is my fathers birthday. He would have been 120 years old. Enjoy the memories.

LOWER RANKS NPD BADGES FROM 1920'S

 By: Dennis Beyer

The picture above is my Collection of Early Newark Badges. They date roughly to 1920. My Goal is to build a Rank Set. I have been working on this for years and still have a long way to go. 

I have the following Ranks: Patrolman, Detective, Sergeant and Lieutenant.

I have assembled them, in an Oak and Glass Case, along with a vintage Newark "Triangle" Patch, a couple of Uniform Buttons, and an Old Blackjack. 

The Badge above is of the correct period as the Sergeants and Lieutenant  shield in this display. The (Patrolman # 316) design is the same as todays' NPD badges, but it also is the same as the shield first issued roughly in 1914. There is no way to determine exactly when this badge was made, but it is an appropriate fit with those pictured in the above display.

The "Detective Shield, #9, is also an appropriate fit with the display. I have accumulated several 1920's Detective Shields and there is no "Blue Ring." That section of the 1920's badge was not given any "paint".  It was all gold finishing. This particular badge appears to have been "updated" by a previous owner by adding the blue paint. If that is not the case then Number 9 would be of post WW II era (and in poor condition vs. just old).

The twin Sergeant Badges pictured below are numbered #20 and #29. The words "Police" and "Newark" are integrated  into the badge, while the rank is stamped into the top panel. Note the difference and its effect on overall wording on these rare shields. They definitely date back to 1920 era.

The Lieutenant Badge #95 is pictured below. It is identical to the above Sergeant badges with the exception of the Rank Panel on top. Those letters are also stamped into the panel with enamel fill.

I consider myself extremely fortunate to have these rare historic badges from Newark and in particular the two Sergeant and single Lieutenant Badges. I have them hanging on a wall in my den where they receive their daily inspection from me.