October 14, 1924
Authorities Believe Bandits Can Be Discouraged if “Necking” Parties Are Broken Up
Jailing spooners as a means of protecting them from bandits, who make a practice of robbing couples on “lovers’ lanes,” is one solution of a holdup problem that is being considered by county authorities.
By braking up automobile “necking” parties in spots where stickup men can operate with comparative freedom, it is believed by the authorities bandits will be discouraged and the average motorist relieved of the danger of being robbed.
Bring Complaints
Secluded and dark spots, which offer ideal sites for “petting” along Wombie boulevard, North Mesa avenue, the Newman road and the Country Club road. They also have brought frequent complaints, according to Commissioner Bob Oliver.
On motion of Commissioner Oliver the commissioners’ have instructed county speed officers to warn motorist parking their cars along the county roads at night without lights that they are violating the state highway law. A warning will be given for the fist offense. But arrests will follow a second offense, it was said.
A ride down to the county jail with an enterprising motorcycle officer should be enough to cure spooners of all future desire to disregard safety regulations and provoke banditry by parking in the dark, it is believed.
A woman lost her watch and rings and a man $10 in a “beside-the-road robbery” last week. As in the majority of such cases the holdup was not reported to the police and was only discovered by accident.
Fear Exposure
Fearing ridicule or exposure, couples who are being robbed by highwaymen under such conditions seldom complain.
“The nusance has been growing worse since the opening of new county roads,” said Commissioner Oliver.
“On receiving a complaint about one car last week I found the machine parked a little way outside the city limits, with two girls and two boys in it,” said Officer Falby. “They were apparently from well-to-do families. The girls insisted that their parents knew where they were, but when I took them to the home they changed their minds. After giving them a good scare we released them.”
"After giving them a good scare we released them.”
Ah the old days. Thanks for this article.
Posted by: 2myeye | January 26, 2010 at 11:40 AM