Sergeant's Book Details History of Hillsdale Police Department

Less than a century ago, Hillsdale was a town with shootings, arsons and bank robberies.

That history has now been preserved in a new book by Hillsdale Police Sgt. Sean Smith. The book, The History of the Hillsdale Police Department 1898-1979 features historic photos, newspaper articles and other accounts of goings-on in the borough.

The book includes stories — taken from the pages of the Hillsdale Herald, Record and other newspapers — about a police chief being chased off the road by gunmen, raids on restaurants serving liquor during the prohibition era and other historic fires and floods.

Smith will be speaking about the book at the Hillsdale Library March 12 and March 19 at 7 p.m. An exhibit will also be on display through the end of the month.

The book is also available for viewing at Borough Hall or online here, where it can also be purchased.

Here are some of the headlines from articles included in the book:

• Salesman Talked So Fast Police Are Called As Result
• Two Cows Wander From Westwood Home; Hillsdale Cops Grab One
• Girl is Jailed After Drunken Attack on Cop
• Burglar Sleeps on The Job, is Nabbed in Hillsdale Home
• Mystery of Missing Steak is Solved by Hillsdale Police
• Lost Pet Raccoon Found in Beechwood Park Trap

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