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Fort Worth Texas, March 31st 1898. TO HIS HONOR,THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE -:- THE CITY OF FORT WORTH. -:- G e n t l e m e n:-
I have the honor to submit to your Honorable body my annual report of the Police department,for the fiscal year ending March 21st 1898.
The numerical strength of the department consists of a Chief, Assistant Chief, Two (2) Detectives, Three (3) Mounted Police, Twelve (12) Patrolmen, One (1) Turn-key, one (1) Patrol driver, One (1) Guard of Prison force and One (1) Clerk, making a total of twenty-three men maintained by the City,at an annual expense of $18,240.00.
When we consider that our City covers an area of 8 square miles, Ninety miles of street and a population of 40,000. people; the force at our command is absolutely inadequate to afford the proper protection which the people demand and require as a right from the officer in charge of this branch of the Municipal Government.
I feel a deep responsibility in my position,and it has been my ardent endeavor to do the best possible with the existing force at my command; but I fully recognize how much more could be done if there could be placed at the disposal of the department a reasonable increase in the force. It is gratifying however, to state, that the efficiency of the department has been maintained, and the welfare, safety and security of the citizen has been job served by the laborious, faithful and vigilant guardianship of the few entrusted to protect their interest.
The position of an officer is not a sinecure of unalloyed happiness, the criminal and the lawless classes mark him as an enemy, he is continually under the supervision of the public, and his slightest mistake in voice or action is but too often
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magnified and exagerated into gross misconduct and angerilly reported to the officer in charge. Without rigor we have maintained discipline, and I am proud to say that the compliants which have reached me were so trivial that they received little or no attention. I am further proud to say, that our force will compete with any in the State for watchfulness, sobriety and meritorious conduct and obedience.
The mounted police have become a valuable and indispensible adjunct of the department and the record shows that the active and presistent work by these men, patroling a large territory occupied as the resident portion of the City have afforded protection to the full satisfaction of the people.
Another branch of the service claims your attention, I refer to the Detective department. This arm of the service cannot be too highly commended. Through this branch aided by the whole force, the criminal at no time has been able or allowed to gain the slightest hold; crooks, thieves and suspicious characters have been arrested on sight, and the habitual vagrant driven from the City; all these classes have learned that Fort Worth is not situated in a wholesome climate for their fruitful operations. To this branch is alos accredit -ed the recovery of valuable stolen property, the amount of which is hereiwth tabulated.
For a short time our City has been annoyed by petty thieves but a vigorous espionage was established, the culprits quickly apprehended and consigned to the doom they merited.
Notwithstanding that the force is small, and considering the territory to be covered, and the lives and property to be protected, the showing made by the department is highly gratifying and creditable. The laws have been enforced, much crime prevented, and not-withstanding the thousands handled by us during teh Cattle-mens' Convention, testing the activity, intelligence and efficiency of our force, they were not found Wanting.
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The alterations in the Police Headquarters and City prison recommende by the Police comittee was a wise and sanitary measure and tends greatly to the health and comfort of the department.
In conclusion I desire to thank the whole force for their co-operation and loyal services, and you Gentlemen for uniform courtesy and support which you have extended to me, I am Gentlemen,
Yours respectfully, W. M. Rea City Marshal
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NUMERICAL STRENGTH OF THE DEPARTMENT MARCH 21ST 1898.
Chief--------------------------1 Assistant Chief-------------1 Detectives-------------------2 Mounted Police------------3 Turn keys--------------------1 Patrolmen-------------------12 Patrol drivers---------------1 Guard, Prison-Force--1 Clerk --------------------------1 Total-------------------------23
-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:- NUMBER OF PERSONS ARRESTED FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 21ST 1898.
Total number arrested------------------ 2477 " " committed to jail,---------1825.
"_o_"_o_"_o_"_o_"_o_"_o_"_o_" AMOUNT OF FINES ASSESSED, COLLECTED AND WORKED OUT. Total Fines assessed,-------------$11,816.20 " " collected, ------------$7,038.95 " " worked out, --------- 3,558.60
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"T A B L E A." OCCUPATION OF PERSONS ARRESTED.
Agents, ------------------ 3 Actors, -------------------4 Actresses, ---------------1 Architects, --------------1 Book Agents,-----------2 Bartenders,-------------9 Boiler makers,---------5 Bakers,-------------------6 Butchers,---------------13 Barbers,----------------20 Base-ball platers-----2 Bicycle riders,--------2 Brick-layers,------------6 Black smiths,----------11