“Butler Suspected of Robbing Editor”
“Horse and Wagon Slid Down Dump”
“Real Irish Point Lace was Not Real”
“Man with Many Names Held as the Lard Thief”
Page from the 1948 Scrapbook
These are just some of the gems hidden within the scrapbooks, meeting minutes, and criminal complaint dockets that were recently donated to the Montclair History Center by the Montclair Police Department (MPD). Sergeant Michael G. Luzzi found these books tucked inside a storage room at the Police headquarters on Bloomfield Avenue and Valley Road. He took special interest in these historical pieces and saw their significance in telling the story of the MPD.
In October 2025, Luzzi brought over to MHC eight scrapbooks dating from 1894-1953, one book of meeting minutes from 1895-1909, and one criminal complaint docket from 1917-1920. The scrapbooks contain various newspaper articles related to the Montclair Police Department, including the gems mentioned at the top. In the criminal complaint docket, one can find the names of the accused along with their address, the crime that allegedly took place, and the date of the warrant. And the meeting minutes contain summaries of the Police Committee meetings including violations, charges, and votes.
From left to right: MHC Board Member Donato DiGeronimo, MHC Collections Manager Erin Benz, and MPD Sergeant Michael G. Luzzi
While Sgt. Luzzi and the team at MHC enjoyed browsing the many newspaper articles, names, and hand-written notes, we knew there needed to be an easier way for people to explore the contents and find information. The Albert Payson Terhune Foundation generously granted MHC funding to digitize the books into text-searchable PDF formats, allowing researchers and curious readers to find specific information within the hundreds of pages. Digitization also prevents staff and researchers from having to physically handle the material, thereby helping preserve each book for future generations. Now, names, businesses, addresses and more can be searched for with the click of a button and without needing to touch the physical books. The Albert P. Terhune Foundation also provided funding to store the scrapbooks in archival-quality boxes and tissue paper. This improved storage will better protect these books against moisture, pests, light, and other exterior forces that could damage the books, allowing them to be safe and preserved for years and years to come!
Cover of the Criminal Complaint Docket, 1917-1920
Page from the Criminal Complaint Docket, 1917-1920
These new scrapbooks and booklets capture the every-day routines, actions, cases, and issues encountered by the Montclair Police Department. With the digitization of these books and their new storage, researchers can now explore the history of the Department, from its origins in the late 1800s to today.
What will you discover within these pages? Take a look for yourself! Click the button below to start exploring.