This Day In History: 1931-03-28

Chief Smith of the Mahwah Police was always being called to do things which were out of his jurisdiction.  On this date Oriel Ennels called him to collect a debt of $65 that someone owed him.  Smith told Ennels to sue the other person.  One the 14th John Warhol called about a West Mahwah man who was acting strangely in his store.  He wanted him committed.  Chief sMith told him there was nothing he could do since the County Physician had declared the man sane a few days before.  On the 21st, Chief Smith was summoned because a West Mahwah man had beaten up his wife and aunt.  Smith could do nothing since neither would sign a complaint.  When a neighbor demanded that the offender be locked up because he was afraid of him, Smith again refused.  You have to wait until he does something to you, before you can sign a complaint.

(Bristow)