Chapter 10
Law Enforcement, Part 2
Andover Police
Department
In simple terms for simpler times, the Andover Police Department in
1900 was "the enforcer of traffic laws and town ordinances and the
keeper of the peace."
In 1891 the police department and town jail were located in the
lower hall of the Town House. Crime was low and in the town's 1894
annual report, Police Chief Cheever notes that he did not think, "A
glass of liquor could be bought in this town at the present time."
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Chief Mears, center, posed with the police
force
in 1896 during the town's 250th Celebration.
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| Andover Crime Log 1900
Crime at the turn of the last
century was termed a bit differently from what we hear about
today. Some are no longer crimes.
Assault
Assault & Battery
Assault Intent Murder
Bastardy
Discriminating
Disturbing the Peace
Drunkenness
False Alarm of Fire
Insane
Larceny |
Malicious Mischief
Peddling without a License
Safe Keeping
Tramps
Trespassing
Unlicensed Dog
Vagabonds
Violation of Town By-Laws
Violation Liquor Law
Violation of Lord's Day |
Most of the terms
can be easily interpreted, however two need further
explanation. "Bastardy" as we can decipher is not following
through on child support for an illegitimate child. "Safe
Keeping" could be protective custody.
Other violations
included: adulterated milk; adultery; bathing in Haggetts
Pond, evading fare, fishing in Haggetts Pond, loafing at the
depot, riding bicycle on sidewalk, stubborn child, and
stealing milk.
Disposition of
Arrests included "placed on file," Committed to Lyman
School, Committed to Danvers Insane Asylum, Committed to
State Farm, Discharged, Paid Fines, Committed to Jail, Bound
over to Superior Court. |
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In 1896, Police Chief George W. Mears was the only full-time
employee, at an annual salary of $600. The balance of the town's
annual police department personnel cost of $460 was divided among 12
part-time me. Officers patrolled on foot and even the police chief
took the streetcar to work. As late as 1920, the department hired a
car from W.J. Morrissey when transportation was needed. Prisoner
transportation was by horse-driven carriage. The challenges of
patrolling the outlying area of Andover were demonstrated in the
account of the Pole Hill murder case as Edward Janifer surrendered
himself to a town selectman who took him to his own house while he
called the Police Chief to come to Ballardvale from Andover center.
We don't know how the Chief traveled to Ballardvale, by horse-drawn
carriage or hired car.
In 1899, the police department was small. For a population of 6,813,
the annual personnel budget of the police department was $1,450. by
1904, the budget had risen to $2,400 and Chief Frye recommended that
two more night officers be hired. In 1910, Chief Mears noted the
difficulty in patrolling the outlying parts of town, including
Ballardvale, and especially on Sundays. By the 1920s, the police
department had grown to 14 officers. In 1946, the force included the
chief, two sergeants, eight regular policemen and several reserve
officers.
In 2008, with the town population at over 31,000, the police force
includes 52 officers including the chief, one commander, five
lieutenants, eight sergeants, and 37 patrol officers. In addition,
support staff includes one network administrator, one animal control
office, 1.5 parking supervisors, eleven dispatchers, and 5.5
clerical staff.
To be
continued, next edition, Sep. 27, 2008
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