Mayor Cobo at home washing dishes

[Ray1936]

Miriani was the mayor who instituted "The Big Four" goon cops who rode around harassing black citizens.

I used to fill in on the Cruiser [[Big Four) in the 2nd precinct in the early 1960's before I transferred to the Motorcycle Traffic Bureau. Nice to learn that my partners were goons. Or, perhaps, that I was. All we looked for were felonies, which, I guess, is goon work.

For what it's worth, Miriani had nothing to do with instituting the Big Four car. That started in the early thirties in response to the Purple Gang.

[Michael Hojnacki]

Ray1936 is Jack O'Kelly still around? He would be in his mid 90's by now. Richard Vicelli did an interview last year that was on youtube but it is now a private video. You can look for it on the Detroit Historical website. The media never tells how The Big Four's primary objective was to go after the hardcore criminals such as the bank robbers, murderers, rapists. They didn't conduct raids on gambling or prostitution, The Big Four went after the hardcore criminals and Jack O'Kelly was usually the first one to enter a house on a raid, he'd kick the door down. O'Kelly was injured over 40 times during his career. It would have been interesting to hear stories from him. He said in the early 70's what he feared most was contracting T.B, they would get spit at or a criminals blood on them. When that squad ended the crime rate shot up in the city because the criminals were no longer in fear.

[Ray1936]

Ray1936 is Jack O'Kelly still around? He would be in his mid 90's by now.

I think he passed away some years ago, but I'll poke around and try to confirm. He was a legend. And, yes, all police officers worry over contracting disease from spit or blood. And it happens. I would suppose the worry today would be more from AIDS, but that was practically unknown in my time.

[Cincinnati_Kid]

I used to fill in on the Cruiser [[Big Four) in the 2nd precinct in the early 1960's before I transferred to the Motorcycle Traffic Bureau. Nice to learn that my partners were goons. Or, perhaps, that I was. All we looked for were felonies, which, I guess, is goon work.

For what it's worth, Miriani had nothing to do with instituting the Big Four car. That started in the early thirties in response to the Purple Gang.

Nothing personal Ray, not calling you a goon per se, but there are bad cops everywhere. You're ok with me, but it's been documented that that's what some did. My older brother [[ 17 at the time) was harassed, with two of his friends just walking home from the corner store.

[Ray1936]

Nothing personal Ray, not calling you a goon per se, but there are bad cops everywhere. You're ok with me, but it's been documented that that's what some did. My older brother [[ 17 at the time) was harassed, with two of his friends just walking home from the corner store.

Well, God only knows what the circumstances might have been at that instant in time. Whatever, be assured I was more amused than offended by the goon monniker, and I'd be absolutely lying if I said there had never been any goons in the DPD! Most were weeded out quickly. Some made it to Chief. Go figure.

[Michael Hojnacki]

Well, God only knows what the circumstances might have been at that instant in time. Whatever, be assured I was more amused than offended by the goon monniker, and I'd be absolutely lying if I said there had never been any goons in the DPD! Most were weeded out quickly. Some made it to Chief. Go figure.

Ray, I just wanted to mention that Jack died in 1973, less than two years into retirement.

[Ray1936]

Ray, I just wanted to mention that Jack died in 1973, less than two years into retirement.

Thanks for that info, Mike.