Looking Back to 1936: New police car and traffic cop approved

Excerpts from the September 22, 1936 Paso Robles Times

City to buy new car for police department

Publication for bids ordered; must be in by Oct 19

Paso Robles is to have a new police car. The present “open-air” prowler, which has been in use by the local department since 1929, with the benefit of countless over-haulings, refurbishings, and a change of motors, will finally be discarded from official use, according to action taken by the council Monday evening.

The board, meeting in regular session, ordered publication of a request for bids for the purchase by the city of a sedan suitable for police use, and to cost not over $1000.

Equipment inadequate

Considerable discussion preceded the council’s decision to act. It was pointed out that the present equipment is inadequate, and is becoming expensive to maintain. Police declare that the touring car is incapable of enough speed to give any kind of chase to traffic law violators, and is no longer dependable for uninterrupted service.

The matter of a new police car was discussed by the council nearly two years ago, at which time bids were advertised for. Other matters came to the fore immediately after this, however, and it was decided at that time to continue the existing equipment in service.

It is believed, however, that no such delay will affect Monday night’s decision. The city is in a better financial condition at the present time than it was two years ago and with fewer large capital outlays in prospect. In addition to this, the need for a new police car is much greater than it was at that time, it was pointed out.

It was indicated that bids must be presented to the council on or before Monday, October 19th. They will be opened at the regular council meeting that evening.

Council to appoint traffic officer for duty on city streets

The city clerk has been ordered to receive written applications to the city council for the position of traffic officer for the City of El Paso de Robles.

After a lengthy discussion of this and other matters, in one of the longest council meetings on record in recent years, the board of trustees decided to give serious consideration to the need for additional traffic regulations within the city.

It was declared that there are far too many and too flagrant violations of traffic ordinances in Paso Robles, and that a majority of these are made by local residents. The council could see no other immediate remedy for the situation than to employ an additional officer.

No specific requirements for the position, which will probably be considered further at the next regular session, October 5, were set forth by the council. It is probably, however, that the officer selected will be put “on his own” at a stated salary, and with hours of duty in accordance with the hours in which the maximum number of violations occur.

The council also discussed further, the placement of warning signs, “Stop when pedestrians in crosswalks” at the most frequented intersections throughout the city. There was no action taken, however.

Councilman Great pointed out the need for such signs, especially at school crossings on North Spring Street where an ever-present hazard exists. Both local and out-of-town motorists habitually fail to observe speed limits in the residential sections, it was pointed out, and it is believed warning signs placed in the center of the streets will be effective in slowing this traffic

The council has received several complaints regarding the removal of parking regulation signs for trucks from the downtown section. These were taken down at the request of Spring Street merchants about seven months ago, Azbell said. It was declared at that time the signs were confusing to tourists.

After a discussion of the legality of making U-turns at alley intersections, the council decided to defer action in this matter until some later time.

previous Looking Back articles

• Looking Back to 1950: Freedom Bell visits Paso Robles, rent office opening

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