By Diane Norek Harrison
PERTH AMBOY-This is from material given to me by Rose (Tarloski) and Jerry Celecki: In 1960, Perth Amboy Police Department had one chief of police, three police captains, 11 lieutenants, fourteen sergeants, three detectives and 55 patrolmen. There were three radio cars, one detective car, one chauffeur’s car, one patrol wagon, one emergency truck, the police launch and chief’s car. There were also two motorcycles and two motor scooters.
SAYREVILLE-On May 2, 1956, six new patrolmen were appointed to the Sayreville Police Department. They were: Benjamin Boehm, Ronald Connors, James Guilfoyle, Edward Rappleyea, Francis Seaman and Stanley Swider.
SOUTH AMBOY-This was told to me by the late Adam Kierst: These were famous words of Officer John “Pie” Quain, a member of the South Amboy Police Department circa 1935. “If I don’t get pie for lunch, I won’t work.” Adam also told me that the license plate of the 1930s police car was MG-7 and that there used to be a booth on the corner of Main Street and Stevens Avenue that was used by officers to operate the traffic light.
Here is a picture of South Amboy’s first police chief, James E. McDonald. Photo courtesy of a Sayreville resident.
If you have your own memories or past information for Carteret, Edison, Metuchen, Perth Amboy, Sayreville, South Amboy or Woodbridge you can email me at dianenorekharrison@juno.com or send copies of your material to me c/o CMD Media, 1139 East Jersey St., Suite 503, Elizabeth NJ, 07201.
