Please: Be Precise! An Edmonton police officer's story from the 1950s, by John Reid

Date: 1950s

It took years to learn, but I learned my lesson well. It was not always so, but after many costly mistakes, I can teach my children and others that being precise is not always accomplished. I remember one occasion; back in my early years as a new Police Recruit. I was standing at 101st Street and Jasper Avenue. I was on day patrol and this was part of my beat. I wasn't expected to know everything about the laws of the land, but surely I was to know how to assist people with proper directions to everywhere they wanted to go.

In those days, The Edmonton Radial Railway, a forerunner to the Edmonton Transit System, had streetcars that ran on tracks or rails. These cars went to most districts, but they all serviced the downtown area. The cars were distinguished by small color-coded signs. These metal signs were located in a frame on the front and rear of the car. There was the Red, the Red and Green, the Red and White, the Blue and the Blue and White, the White and Green and the White. If one lived in the Highlands District, you just had to know that you caught a white designated car, going eastbound on Jasper Avenue, and if you stayed on the car you would end up at the end of the line in the Highlands. If you caught the White car going westbound on Jasper Avenue, you would cross the river on the High Level Bridge, and end up in Bonnie Doon. If one caught a Red and Green, you would always end up in Calder.

Returning to my story: a man approached me, he handed me a newspaper clipping. I read the paper and it indicated MEAT CUTTERS WERE IMMEDIATLY REQUIRED, apply SWIFT PACKING PLANT. (66th Street, 125th Avenue) SEE THE GATEMAN. The man said he was a Butcher and would like a job. He said that he was a new Canadian and could get along with the English language, although not very well. I explained to him, where to stand, and to wait for a blue signed streetcar. I told him that he must catch a Blue Car, as the Blue and White would only take him part way. I told him again to take a Blue Car and get off at the end of the line. The end of the line is where Swift Packing Plant is located. I then left the man, as I was required to walk to the other end of my beat. When I returned to 101st Street and Jasper Avenue, one hour later. The man was still standing at the spot where I left him. I went over and spoke to him and he indicated that there were not any Blue Street Cars, every car that passed him was painted Red. I had not made it clear to him!

I then asked to see the clipping, and read it further. There was a time mentioned on the clipping, it clearly stated that applications would be accepted from 9.00 A.M. to Noon. I visualized that if the man waited for another streetcar he would hardly make it by noon. I asked the man to follow me and took him to Jack Hays Taxi Office, where I explained my plight. Jack Hays (Senior) was on duty. He stated the fare to Swift's would be $1.15. I reached in my pocket but only had .85cents on my person. Jack Hays said, " I will pay the remaining .30cents. The man was happy as he left with the Taxi Driver. So ended the lesson.