Babbs’s Reviews > Policing a Class Society: The Experience of American Cities, 1865–1915 > Status Update

"crime waves" and further exploration of why Chicago was not the place to be in this time period. Focuses on felony crimes and the increase in crime in certain areas due to a pull of police for anti-strike forces or to protect corporations

I really underestimated the "spitting" problem in the late 1800/early 1900's. This is the second or third book I've read recently about that period that has mentioned the issue and prevalence of public spitting

I'm gathering that Chicago was particularly horrible in the late 1800s to early 1900s. In 1950 nearly 50% had "special duty" assignments that were specific off duty work like security at a specific business, bribes or splitting of vice activity, and delivery of bribes. Patrolman pay was considered "base salary" to these additional sources of income

1910 Columbus, and 1913 Indianapolis police refused orders and mutinied. The significance of these police mutinies is not that they occurred but that there were only two in 40 years of strikebreaking activity. Physical force was ordered on not just those that were striking but on anyone in the area, including women observing the strike or trying to intervene

Police and their role in strikes: the Great Strike (1877), Haymarket (1886), Homestead (1892), Pullman (1894), Lawrence (1912), Paterson (1913), Chicago had 92 in 1904

John T Janssen, Milwaukee's third police chief in 1888 and stayed in office for 33 years

Restructure of the Buffalo police force by William S. Bull in 1894 (ending political appointments, use of the signal system, improved work hours with a three shift/8hr system) followed by Mike Regan who was anti-immigrant and anti-working class.

Commissioners in the 1890s were considered part time, but received ~3x the pay of a full-time patrolman--$2500 vs $900 ($1000 for a Sgt). The board met 2-3x/wk or 100-150/yr.

For a fee of $25 in 1881 (two weeks wages for a labor) a police call box could be installed in any residence or store and 400 were purchased in Chicago. This service rendered to the wealthy and to businessmen clearly shows the class bias of this innovation.

The "golden rule" book was tried in a dozen cities between 1907-1914, allowing petty offenders to go free. Though it was promoted as a working-class measure, it also increased police efficiency by avoiding "wasteful" arrests and allowing patrolmen to concentrate on social control. Turn-over also decreased from pre and post 1900, meaning more officers were long-term