‘Vigilantes’ To Curb Camden Vandals Suggested to City


Camden Courier-Post – June 29, 1933

North Camden Group Would Have Citizens’ Committee and Junior Patrol Up to Mayor Stewart

Formation of a “Citizens Committee” to curb vandalism and the development of a “Juvenile Patrol” to encourage young boys to co-operate with police, were suggested last night at a conference in the office of Police Captain Arthur Colsey.

The committee, it is proposed, would, comprise special officers with authority to make arrests in the absence of patrolmen. The idea will be presented to Mayor Roy R. Stewart today by Captain Colsey. The latter has instructed Sergeant Richard Middleton to visit the various city playgrounds and organize groups of children into juvenile patrols.

Mrs. Stephen Pfeil, of the North Camden Civic Association, proposed the citizens’ committee. She heads a group of the uptown association, including Miss Elsie A. Stein and William Couglin, which recently made a survey in Camden and estimated that more than $500,000 damage has been caused by vandals. Others who attended the conference included Mrs. Grace Riggins, superintendent of the Camden Juvenile Detention Home; J. Louis Kollin, an attorney, and Joseph Munger, also of the North Camden Civic Association.

Mrs. Riggins suggested the civic, group send speakers to schools to address students on good citizenship and to point out “the absolute unfairness of damaging property.” She advised the message also be imparted to parent-teacher associations.

The conference will result in regular meetings of the civic leaders and police, Mrs. Pfeil said.


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