![]() Photo Credit: Milwaukee Police and Fire Call Box The report listed the police communication system had 250 miles of telephone wire either underground or aerial.īelow are examples of the different police call boxes in Milwaukee over the years:Įxterior view of pre-1911 Police Alarm Call Box The private boxes included the chief of police’s residence, and the mayor’s residence. Per the 1899 annual report, 193 patrol boxes and 5 private boxes were in service in the City of Milwaukee. The banks that were connected in 1899 were First National Bank, Wisconsin National Bank, Marshall-Ilsley Bank, National Exchange Bank, Northwestern National Insurance Company, Marine and Fire Insurance Company Bank, and Milwaukee National Bank. In 1899, the department hooked up a single circuit to banks in the downtown area which would be the beginning of the hold up alarms. In the late 1800’s, the police department installed large boxes named “police call boxes” through the city. Overall view of the Police Telephone and Signal SystemĬlose up view of the Police Telephone and Signal System Depending on which selection the officer made, a signal went back to central station that dispatched help accordingly. The crimes listed were thieves, riot, drunkard, murder, robbery, accident. This communication system allowed the patrolman to turn a dial corresponding to the crime taking place. The department needed a modern way of communicating with the beat officers so a communication system was installed in the sentry boxes that were similar to telegraph machines used in ships. ![]() The patrolman stored their rain gear, extra clothing, and lunches in these mini offices. They were also referred to as “straw boxes” where officers could go to rest. In the 1800’s, the Milwaukee Police Department had constructed “sentry boxes” for the roundsman or patrolman to utilize while they walked their beats in the neighborhoods.
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