WAVE OF VIOLENT CRIME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17662, 24 December 1920, Page 7

WAVE OF VIOLENT CRIME.

PROBLEM IN AMERICA. drastic measures taken. a. and N.Z. NEW YORK, Dec. 22. Reports from Toledo (Ohio), Chicago 2h Cm ? ' , B ° Ston ' Ph i J adeiphia and an ui™ 86 h e T cities that an unpiecedented wave of crime sweeping over the country. " Hold uds " robbenes, and burglaries? accompanied by I °„ Ce a P d minders, are reaching an un usually high number. The Chicago electors have appointed an ex-newspaper man as police commissioner, and he has revitalised the force. The police in that city now shoot down all criminals caught thJ n h - , The com missioner states that Chicago has not had an unsolved murder for six weeks and during that period there has not been one hold-up. 1 his is considered a record for the citv. In New York the police force has been increased by 1200 men to cope with the situation. Robberies and murders continue, however, in spite of the best efforts ot the police to counteract them. The police in both New York and Chicago have adopted a scheme of using high-powered motor-cars carrying sharp I shooters who served with the United States army in Europe. These men are armed with repeating rifles. They patrol the cities and shoot down thugs and robbers. The District-Attorney of New York (Mr. Meldeberger) has" issued an appeal to the public to form citizens' leagues to suppress crime. The Mayor (Mr. Hylan) . has ordered the citizens to arm themI selves. In the newspapers there are j large advertisements giving the people J advice how to avoid robberies. The in- | surance companies declare that if the [burglaries continue they will be com- | pelled to give up their insurance against thefts. The judges throughout the I country are increasing the amount of bail i in all cases where criminals are arrested. They are also hastening trials and giving the maximum sentence in each case where proved. The banks in New York and the shops irr the fashionable thoroughfare of Fifth Avenue are fortifying their premises against robbers, and have appointed guards comprising ex-army men arm°d with firearms. The explanation of the crime wave is that the war taught people the use of firearms, and unemployment. is adding to the psychological effect of the late war.