1914-12-02

“The extent of want and poverty in this city is hardly realized by the majority of citizens. At least, such is the opinion of the police officers of the east end division.”

          Hamilton Spectator.  December 2, 1914

          The large police station located on the east side of Sherman avenue, just north of Barton street was still, in December 1914, a relatively new location for Hamilton police officers assigned to what was termed the east end division.

          Times had been tough all over Hamilton in 1914, a prolonged economic turndown had thrown large numbers of workers off the payrolls of most factories and workshops. The hard times were especially devastating to what was the far eastern part of the city, north of Barton street, where conditions were challenging for many people, even before the economy had faltered.

          The Hamilton policemen who patrolled that area knew all too well how difficult life was for many of the people, especially for families with children :

          “These chaps are in a position to become acquainted with the situation as it really is and are doing all they can, in their own way, to relieve the distress and aid the deserving ones.”¹

               ¹ “Five Hundred Poor Kiddies in East End : Policeman’s Santa Claus to look After Them : Little Folks Will Receive Christmas Gifts : Officers Have Discovered Many Pitiful Cases”

          Hamilton Spectator.   December 2, 1914.

          Beginning in November, 1914, several of the officers in the east end division, with the help of several volunteers, began to take steps to help the neighbourhood however they could :

          “Sewing circles have been organized, church organizations interested, and a deliberate, co-operative attempt made to ease the situation somewhat.”¹

               The policeman were addressing the conditions they saw on their beats with a charitable intent, but there was some anger at what was being done by the municipal government to assist the needy as well.

          The policeman not only just visually observed the hard conditions, they would also engage with residents to learn more about what was being faced:

          “Many a pitiful tale is told by the east end officers. These tales are actual experiences which have been carefully investigated. Each case has been reported to those who have volunteered to assist, while on one or two occasions help has been received from the city relief committee.

          “The police, however, do not ask the relief committee for much assistance. They do not think very highly of that committee, and don’t hesitate to say so. It is their claim that, while those in charge of the city relief are doing the best they can, they are not equal to the job.

          “The system is antiquated, too much red tape holds it up, with the result that often  the desired relief is not received in many cases days and often weeks after the cases have been reported.

          “The police have come across case after case where the need for immediate relief is most urgent. Communication with the relief office brought the sharp reply : ‘Tell them to register and we’ll investigate.’

          “It is this investigating which arouses the ire of the police for the simple reason that the investigation is a slow process at the best and may never take place. The police have come across incidents where assistance has been given to families who are not deserving of it, while really needful cases are turned down.”¹

               As well as mobilizing church groups and well-meaning individuals to render help to those east end residents in need, the police felt the urge to start doing things themselves as well:

          “In the meantime, the men of the east end division are doing a good work. In addition to interesting many families and organizations in the matter, they have installed a Santa Claus box in the police station on Sherman avenue.

          “This box, secured at the suggestion of Sergt. Hawkins, is in the nature of a contribution box to which every visitor at the station is asked to contribute his mite toward a fund to be used ‘to make some other homes happy,’ as the inscription on the notice over the box reads.

          “The officers have also had small cards printed containing the following appeal – ‘Help. There are over 500 kiddies in the eastern part of the city who will not be able to have their usual Santa Claus this year. The police have decided to be his substitute. Anyone who can spare a nickel is asked to turn it over to the officers at the Sherman avenue police station, where there is a box to receive all donations.

          “ ‘A committee, consisting of Sergt. Hawkins and Constables Ince and Hill has been appointed to look after the fund. The box will be opened a few days before Christmas and the money used to purchase suitable Christmas presents for the kiddies., who are being placed on the Santa Claus list by the relief workers of the east end. The police know just who is deserving of a call from the policeman’s Santa Claus and they intend to see that some Christmas cheer is injected into more than one home in Hamilton’s east end on Christmas eve.

          “ ‘On duty and off duty the officers are busy rounding up contributions and they expect to have a tidy sum to spend on the kiddies. Their example has been followed by the men at the central police station, where a box has also been installed.

          “ ‘It is safe to say that it will not be with fear that the door is opened to admit a burly policeman on Christmas eve.’ ” ¹

(Other parts to this effort by the east end police are in progress)