Greenbelt News Review

Police on Duty All Night, Chief Insists
By I. J. Parker

"There is a policeman on duty during the early morning hours," Police Chief Jim Williams assured residents after a comedy of errors occurring last Saturday morning that put doubt in the minds of several residents on Southway. According to Williams, a slightly inebriated out-of-towner began looking for his sister's house in the wrong court of Southway at 3:30 a.m. Saturday. During the course of his search, he banged on doors and broke windows in one home.

County police cars converged on the scene, found the man bleeding and called for the local rescue squad. When the siren went off, Officer Joe O'Loughlin sped to the scene from his home where he was having a snack, and cooperated with county police in disposing of the case.

O'Loughlin, who was on a tour of duty from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. had called the county dispatcher and informed him that he would be at home for a few moments and would receive calls there. When the complaint came in, his message was either misplaced, forgotten or ignored, and county police were summoned to the scene. According to Williams, calls are recorded on tape, and an investigation is being conducted as to the whereabouts of O'Loughlin's message.

Earlier, O'Loughlin had tried to enter the police station in the city offices but his key didn't fit! Several employees had the same difficulty at 8 a.m. at the start of the next shift, Williams disclosed. This problem is also being investigated.

However, Williams emphasized "There is a police officer on duty all night long . . ."