First off, did you know that 9-1-1 was initially advertised widely as nine eleven? Call nine eleven for all your emergencies. You might remember that and wonder why they changed it to nine one one. You're not going to believe the answer. Had to change it because too many people complained that there wasn't an eleven on their telephone. If I'm lyin', I'm dyin'.
Before even that happened, in the fifties, Naples and Collier County had their own systems. Naples lone indoor theater, on Third Street South, was owned and operated by Mr. Arnold Haines. He also owned the popular sundries shop, The Beach Store, next door. And, Arnold was a City Councilman, the one selected to be Police Commissioner. That required Arnold to keep track of the cops.
So, a plan was put in place that when things got slow, the cop on duty would go into the movie theater, grab some popcorn, and enjoy the latest black and white Bogart epic. If trouble reared it's infrequent head, just call ol' Arnold and he'd send the usher to get the cop.
Collier County had even a stranger system. In Immokalee there was a light on a pole near the Sheriff's Office. Course the Sheriff's Substation was closed after dark. It was only occupied when the lone deputy assigned duty there would drop by to use the restroom or maybe even put someone in jail.
If you needed a deputy, you'd flick on the light. When the deputy, in the course of his rounds, saw the light flashing he'd know someone needed his services and start looking. The customer usually waited nearby.
Not as sophisticated as today's electronic communications but, at the time, a grand way of doing business.
Before even that happened, in the fifties, Naples and Collier County had their own systems. Naples lone indoor theater, on Third Street South, was owned and operated by Mr. Arnold Haines. He also owned the popular sundries shop, The Beach Store, next door. And, Arnold was a City Councilman, the one selected to be Police Commissioner. That required Arnold to keep track of the cops.
So, a plan was put in place that when things got slow, the cop on duty would go into the movie theater, grab some popcorn, and enjoy the latest black and white Bogart epic. If trouble reared it's infrequent head, just call ol' Arnold and he'd send the usher to get the cop.
Collier County had even a stranger system. In Immokalee there was a light on a pole near the Sheriff's Office. Course the Sheriff's Substation was closed after dark. It was only occupied when the lone deputy assigned duty there would drop by to use the restroom or maybe even put someone in jail.
If you needed a deputy, you'd flick on the light. When the deputy, in the course of his rounds, saw the light flashing he'd know someone needed his services and start looking. The customer usually waited nearby.
Not as sophisticated as today's electronic communications but, at the time, a grand way of doing business.
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