Mile End Vigilance Committee

[Tom_Wescott]

The committee was made up of local businessmen. Their objective therefore, along with trying to capture the killer, would be to help the police keep order rather than to be rabble rousers themselves.

Quick reality check about the WVC. They were in it to make money. Nothing wrong with that, but let it be said. They had three objectives - petition the public for money, petition the government for reward money, catch Jack the Ripper. If they catch Jack they get all the money, if they fail to catch Jack, then keep the public's money. In the interim, they publicized their own businesses. It was a win/win for them.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[mariab]

The WVC's major objective was also to become able to “stand on their own feet“ and to get subsidized.

And to To Adam:
No worries, no one's basing their perception of the Ripper case on non-documentary TV miniseries, Michael Caine nonwithstanding.

[ChrisGeorge]

It really should be remembered that Lusk and the MEVC were not the fire-burning, rabble-rousing, gang attack mob that they have been portrayed as in the past, notably in the 1988 mini-series with Michael Caine.

Very true, Adam. The committee was made up of local businessmen. Their objective therefore, along with trying to capture the killer, would be to help the police keep order rather than to be rabble rousers themselves.

Chris

[Tom_Wescott]

He is the Vigilance Committees expert without peer on the boards.

Without peer, you say?

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Supe]

Yankee Sergeant,

Do take Monty up on his offer if you have not already. He is the Vigilance Committees expert without peer on the boards.

Don.

[Adam Went]

It really should be remembered that Lusk and the MEVC were not the fire-burning, rabble-rousing, gang attack mob that they have been portrayed as in the past, notably in the 1988 mini-series with Michael Caine. They did well to organise themselves as they did. Receiving the kidney and "From Hell" note in the mail obviously had a major affect on Lusk though, which is completely understandable.

Cheers,
Adam.

[YankeeSergeant]

Vigilance

Here is one report from the Evening News, October 8, 1888.

Extraordinary precautions had been adopted by the police to prevent or detect any repetition of the horrors of last week. Not only are members of the regular force displaying the utmost activity, but in their arduous labours they are receiving valuable aid from the volunteer police of the Vigilance Committee. Last night, and on Saturday every nook and corner of the district was watched, and persons of at all suspicious appearance were tracked until reason for suspicion had been cleared away. The police and the men employed by the Vigilance Committee work very well together. As a proof of the thorough way in which they have respectively been carrying out their duties, it may be mentioned that in several instances some of the plain clothes men who were strange to the neighbourhood were watched by members of the Vigilance Committee, while they in their turn came under the scrutiny of the detectives.

http://www.casebook.org/press_reports/evening_news/18881008.html?printer=true

If you click on the 'Press Reports' in the column on the left of your screen you can use the Search feature which is exclusively for the Press Reports.
Enter 'Vigilance' you get a host of articles.

Wickerman, Thanks! I just came across the information they patrolled in an article by Adrian Phypers on Public houses "The House Where Jack Swilled" Whilst looking for information on the Crown. I'll be checking the press reports as well. Again thanks,

[Monty]

Neil,

If you require more info, just mail or PM me.

Monty

[Wickerman]

I was on yesterday looking for information on George Lusk and a thought occured that in everything I've read I don't remember reading anywhere exactly what the Mile End Vigilance Committee did .........

Here is one report from the Evening News, October 8, 1888.

Extraordinary precautions had been adopted by the police to prevent or detect any repetition of the horrors of last week. Not only are members of the regular force displaying the utmost activity, but in their arduous labours they are receiving valuable aid from the volunteer police of the Vigilance Committee. Last night, and on Saturday every nook and corner of the district was watched, and persons of at all suspicious appearance were tracked until reason for suspicion had been cleared away. The police and the men employed by the Vigilance Committee work very well together. As a proof of the thorough way in which they have respectively been carrying out their duties, it may be mentioned that in several instances some of the plain clothes men who were strange to the neighbourhood were watched by members of the Vigilance Committee, while they in their turn came under the scrutiny of the detectives.

http://www.casebook.org/press_reports/evening_news/18881008.html?printer=true

If you click on the 'Press Reports' in the column on the left of your screen you can use the Search feature which is exclusively for the Press Reports.
Enter 'Vigilance' you get a host of articles.

[YankeeSergeant]

I was on yesterday looking for information on George Lusk and a thought occured that in everything I've read I don't remember reading anywhere exactly what the Mile End Vigilance Committee did besides request the home office to lift the government ban on offering rewards and raising a reward of their own. Did they patrol the east end or actively try to find Jack teh Ripper or was it basically petitioning the government and holding meetings at the Crown Public House?