We wrote the other day about Kennedy’s visit to Baltimore at Patterson Park. Well, we found another story related to that visit in 1962, with a darker side. This is an article printed in The Baltimore Sun on October 11th, 1962.
Following a threat to kill President Kennedy during his Baltimore visit, police yesterday afternoon arrested a 27-year-old man near Patterson Park where the President’s helicopter landed.
The unarmed suspect was picked up in the 400 block South Linwood avenue about 3 P.M. as police and Secret Service men converged in the park to prepare for the President’s arrival.
-ad 107-He was taken to Southeastern Police Station and booked for investigation. Police continued to hold him last night without placing any charges.
The arrest followed a telephoned threat on the President’s life that was made to a newspaper earlier in the day.
A man with a husky voice said, “I’m going to shoot President Kennedy tonight in the parade.”
Police said the man in custody first claimed to be an undercover agent, then said he was a newspaper reporter. They were unable to link him immediately with the threatening phone call.
-ad 108-More than 1,400 local policemen were on hand to protect Mr. Kennedy during his brief Baltimore stay.
Wow … 1,400 policemen for the President? That sounds like an unnecessary army.
