New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-16
NEW POLICE HEADQUARTERS.
THE OLD 18TH REGIMENT ARMORY TO BE
USED.
THE EXTIREi INTERIOR TO BE REMADE-NO
MONEY At PRESENT AVAILABLE 80 THE
. PRESENT OFFICES INVOLVEMENT
AND INADEQTATE.

Three or four months ago Police Commissioner
Leonard r. Weiles was instrumental in securing the
consent OF proper authorities to the use OF the
old 18th Regiment Armory as the headquarters or
the Brooklyn Police Department The armory build
ing at Fla tbushave and Hanson Place, was vacated
hv the regiment early in the summer for the new
armory in Sumner ave. between Putnam and Jener-
son ayes The building the property OF the
county but by OF the Board OF Supervisors It
was turned over the city for the purpose mem
toned.
Since then Commissioner Welles has had plans
made FOR changes In the interior Of the building 80
as TO M IL for the uses Of his department. As the
building stands 1t is a she'll consisting OF side
walls and a roof As far as the interior is con-
cerned II has practically all TO be made When com
pleed it will to al nents and purposes be as we'll
arranged as police headquarters az If an entirely
new building constructed. The plans made
under the direction of Commissioner We.es were
drawn by officials Of the Department Of city Works
The estimated OF the proposed improvements is
from $4,000 10000, the difference depending on
whether brick steel and iron used In the par
tiions etc. After the plans were made they were
sent back for modification, with the idea OF lower
ing the roof and thus providing additional light for
the building They still in the hands Of the city
Works Department.
No expense has been involved in the drawing OF
the plans and there is money available at pres
ent for making the necessary changes In order to
ft the structure for police uses. If the Board OF
Estimate consents to make the needed appropriation
and it Is believed that 1t will not hesitate to do 3d.
in view Of the cramped and inadequate quarters Of
the Police Department at present-t will not be
available for until next year, and in the opinion
OF Commissioner Wees there is no probability that
the armory can be got in readiness for occupancy
before the autumn Of 1885, The Commissioner is far
from satisfied with his present quarters. and will
naturally do all in his power to hasten the removal
of the department 10 the remodelled armory. This
will also furnish Offices for the Excise Department.
OF which the head OF the Police Department is also
president. The departments being closely
connected there is special propriety in housing them
under roof In building Whch snail De devoted
to their alone.
The present police headquarters In Brooklyn are
in the Municipal Department Building which was
erected about sixteen years ago. and Is unique
municipal construction in that II was built and made
ready for occupancy for the amount Of the original
appropriation 900 Accidentally the building
is no credit to the city-ndeed well-known
citizen who is a competent judge in such matters
has publicly proposed that II should De RACED to the
ground-and considerable repairs have been neces-
sary from time to time in order to make 1t fit. san
tary and otherwise, for the OF the officials who
occupy It. The building accommodates-in feeble
fashion, IL is true-besides the Police and Excise De-
partmerts the City Works Department. the Tax De-
partnen the Arrears Department and the Depart
ment o. Assessment. Some OF them. notably the
Police and City Works. badly crowded. The
Police Department occupies parts of three floors and
the Offices addition TO being scattered. badly
arranged The removal OF the Police Department
will provide needed additional rooms for the Depart
ment OF City Works A side entrance TO the build
inp was proVded for the exclusive use OF the Police
Department but II has never been used 10 any ex-
some OF the privileges which 1t would enjoy II II
were in building by Itself. on the whole. the plan
of police headquarters In "A building used for large
number Of other purposes has not been found 10
work we'll
headouarters a day orstwo ago Commissioner Welles
said:
II think that the situation Of the armory building
makes II a very desirable place for police headquar
iers II is as near the Of the city IL l.
tlcab'e TO pace such building, and In my judgment
ON The whole, will be better 10 have head
ouartcrs there than close by the City Hall. ] am
firmly convinced OF the desirabty OF having the
police In a building by Themselves though. or course
on account of relations with the Excise Depart
ment Il Will be advisable, II not necessary, 70 have
are much pressed for ROOM and besides we are
scattered oyer three different floors. FROM the
arory building All parts of the city WIZ be- within
easy reach. We shall have direct access to Coney
island and East NewYork. and also by the lines OF
elevated road to the Eastern District and practically
direct connection with New-Utrecht. In case Of
riot or any serious disturbance would be able
10 keep 800 policemen right In the building. and gould
place Them part OF the city In about half an
hour or a little more. As the building stands there
are practically only the walls and roof the whole
Interior yet TO be made 1t will be laid out In
three stories and special pains will be taken to &C
commodate all branches OF the department. In the
best way In fact. have no doubt that when COM
eted IL will be the finest police headquarters In the
Country. It u unfortunate that the city 70 short