From the Vancouver World 100 years ago this week

Chief of Patrol Wants That Patrol Wagon – Urges Necessity of Modernizing Local ‘Running In’ System

—March 30, 1906

Chief of Police North made an earnest plea before the fire and police committee on Thursday afternoon for the reinstatement in the estimates of an appropriation for the installation of a patrol system. This was recommended by the police commission, but turned down by council. The chief asked that at least a beginning of the system should be made this year. He would be content if only a wagon was purchased. Victoria had made a start in this way last year and was now installing ten boxes. There the wagon was also used as an ambulance and such use here would be most convenient. The installation of the wagon would result in a great saving of time to the patrolmen, who would be enabled to remain more constantly on their beats. At present, if an officer captured a drunk in the West End, it took fully an hour to make the trip to the station and the district was left unprotected in the meantime. When it was remembered that 1,400 captures were made last year, this would at once be noted as a great saving.

The committee assured the chief that it favored the plan and would make every effort to obtain a reconsidera-tion of the item before the estimates were finally settled.