AMERICA’S CRIME WAVE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16307, 23 December 1920, Page 7

AMERICA’S CRIME WAVE

CITIZENS ORDERED TO ARM. HX-ARMY SHARPSHOOTERS. CRIMINALS SHOT DOWN, By Telegraph— Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. (Received December 23, 9.5 a.m.) NEW YORiK, December 21. Reports from Toledo, Chicago, Cincinnati. Boston, Philadelphia, and other large American cities, indicate an unprecedented crime wave of hold-ups, robberies and burglaries, attended with violent murders reaching an unusually high number.

Chicago, appointed an ex-newspaper man as police commissioner, who revitalised the police force. They now shoot down all criminals caught in the act. The Commissioner declared that Chicago has had no unsolved murder or holdrup for six weeks, which is considerocf a record.

The New York police force has been increased 1% 1200 men to cope with the situation. Robberies and murders continue, however, despite tho beat efforts of the police. Chicago and New York have adopted the scheme of utilising a high power motor-car carrying ox-anny sharpshooters with repeating rifles to patrol tho city, and shoot down thugs and robbers.

The United States District Attorney, Mr Mildobergcr, of New Y'ork, has issued an appeal to the public to form a citizens’ league to suppress crime, and Mayor Hollan lias ordered.citizens to arm themselves. The newspapers carry largo advertisements counselling the populace how to avoid robberies. Insurance companies declare that if the robberies continue tbey will bo compelled to give up anti-theft insurance'. The judges throughout tho country aro increasing bail for apprehended criminals, speeding up trials, and giving tho maximum sentences. Local banks and Fifth Avenue shops aro fortifying against robbers, and employing special armed ox-sorvicomon as guards. An explanation of tho crime wave is that the war taught the uso of firearms, unemployment, and tho increasing psychological effect of the war.