TENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY. FRANK M. RITER, Director. Philadelphia, February 1, 1897. HON. CHAS. F. WARWICK, Mayor of the City of Philadelphia. DEAR SIR: In accordance with the Act of Assembly I herewith transmit a summary of the operations of the Department of Public Safety, together with the reports of the Chiefs of the several Bureaus embraced therein, for the year ending December 31, 1896. You appointed me and I took office as Director of the Department of Public Safety on the Seventeenth day of February, 1896. The Hon. Abraham M. Beitler, my predecessor, surrendered to me a thoroughly organized Department, its various Bureaus working in harmony and a fine morale pervading them all. Bureau of Police. On the evening of April 29, 1896, a street railway strike was ordered by the Central Board of Street Railway Employees. Precautions were taken for the preservation of order. Viewing the strike from the standpoint of a public disorder this strike was a subsidence of the disturbances which took place in December, 1895. No unusual care was required after May 1. The total number of arrests for all offences during the year 1896 was 58,072, showing a decrease of 2,365 from the year 1895. Arrests for intoxication, and intoxication and disorderly conduct were 23,107, showing a decrease of 3,970 from the year 1895: Forty-nine thousand four hundred and thirty-eight lodgers were accommodated at the various district station houses during the year, being 3,650 more than on the previous year. These unfortunate men and women are universally treated with kindness by the police force and everything is done that can be to make them comfortable during the night. Many of the station houses in use are inadequate for the purpose and the needed improvements should be made. A number of additional station houses should be built which comprehends, of course, a marked increase in the police force. An increase of about seven hundred patrolmen would I believe meet the needs of Philadelphia for some time. The total number available for street duty at present is 2,037. The beats are much too extensive to be properly covered. There is a marked absence of sufficient police force in the centre of the City to which comes during the day or night so large a percentage of the moving public of the City. At the earliest moment possible an effort will be made to remedy this by increasing the Reserve force covering Market and Chestnut streets, from the Delaware river to Fifteenth street, and increasing the force in the districts comprehended in this vicinity, so that all persons and property therein may receive adequate protection. While there are now twenty-two police patrol stations, this number should be increased so that each district station may have its separate patrol service. The mounted service beyond its present use. should be extended considerably They are of the greatest service to the rural districts and upon an occasion of unusual disturbances have proved themselves to be invaluable. The use of the bicycle has taken such rapid and firm hold upon the community, being used so extensively in the pursuit of health and pleasure and in business that it has somewhat disturbed prior conditions affecting travel. Many of our greater highways are paved with asphaltum and in certain seasons of the year are almost a parade from early morning until late at night. This has necessitated the formation of a bicycle squad of the police force, which it is my intention, as far as possible, to materially increase. The unusual number of vehicles (this to be used in its generic sense and to include bicycles and all other kinds of conveyance) has made travel by pedestrians across some of our broad thoroughfares at points attended with danger. The confusion thus arising, it is hoped, will grow less with the permanent use of the bicycle and recognition by the few reckless riders of the dangers to which they are subjecting themselves as well as others. The work of the detective force has been in the main most satisfactory. It is small and it has had to be augmented by detailing a certain number of patrolmen as detectives. These men have been selected for their efficiency and intelligence and it is the natural and legitimate school for promotion to the detective force. An Item should be inserted in future annual appropriations providing the legitimate and necessary local expenses of this force. Vacant houses increase the difficulties of the work of the police force. During the summer months 10,466 houses were vacant. Forty-six of these houses were at different times entered and goods amounting in value to $4,120 were stolen. Goods to the value of $2,470 were recovered. The number of patrolmen employed at different times throughout the year for quarantine purposes was 1,104. The profits of pool selling are supposed to be so great and the public so ready to risk its money, that it has required the greatest vigilance to keep the rooms in which bets are taken upon races, from proceeding with their demoralizing business. Every effort has been made, and with great success, to prevent them from carrying on their illegal trade. It is impossible to successfully carry on pool rooms without the employment of telegraph and telephone apparatus, and I am glad to be able to inform you that I have received assurances from the responsible managers of the respective telegraph and telephone Companies in this City, that they will not supply the service to carry on this unlawful occupation. In substance the same may be said of "speak-easies." The constant vigilance of the police is directed to prevent this evil. It is with great pleasure that I am able to state that I find a ready disposition on the part of the police force to pay greater attention to the arduous duties imposed upon them. In all the difficulties of responsible work they have my greatest sympathy. The medical emergency corps have developed into a body of great activity and usefulness. The following members of the police force have been commended for meritorious conduct during the year: Also the officers and crew of Delaware Harbor boat No. 2 (Visitor), who on Sunday afternoon, May 10, 1896, rescued four persons from a capsized yacht off of Greenwich Point. The Woman's Branch of the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals presented medals to the following officers: Patrolman Mark Reeves, Twenty-ninth District, Gold Medal. Fire Marshal. The total number of fires was 2,612, an increase of 580 over the preceding year, and a loss sustained of $2,439,531. Being an increase in loss of $798, 644.00 over the prior year. But one person has been convicted for arson and that was for setting fire to the building No. 212 South Eighth street, Benjamin F. Steiner, was convicted and sentenced to two years in the County Prison. Other arrests were made but were followed by acquittals. Meat Inspection. During the past year 135,189 head of cattle were inspected and of this 172 were condemned and killed as diseased animals; 142 from Tuberculosis and 5 from Acti |