Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-04
POLICE STATISTICS
Decrease in the Number of Arrests
for Intoxication.
WORK OF TEE EXCISE BOARD
Not So Many Licenses Given to
Drinking Places.
ANTI SALOON LEAGUE


cases of arrest. it must not be concluded
that crime is on the increase in the Dis
tr1ct of Columbia. The swelling of the fig
ures is due to the steady additions to the
numerical strength of the force and closer
vigilance and renewed activity, which re-
suits in larger number of arrests for mi
nor offeHses and misdemeanors"
During that year, as shown by the same
report there were 24,3I2 persons arrested
for all causes, and of these 4S29 were
charged with intoxication Gncluding intox-
1cat1on, lntoxication and disorderly, and
ha61tuai drunkenness.
In his report for the next year 1891 he
says:
The showing made by the police statis-
ties for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1891,
with reference to crimes and misdenean
means diScoura ging"
In that report he shows that 25166 per-
sons were arrested for all causes and of
these 4.S93 Were charged with intoxication
In his report for the year ending June
80, 1872. he says:
During the year which closes JUNE 30
1872 the police records contain larger
number of arrests than during any pre-
vious period of the Department. organiza-
ton"
There were 26,6GG entered upon the reg
lster. The increase over the pre-
VlouS twelve months was 1850 cases. ~
1T is not strange that with an en-
lafged population and police force, addi-
tonal patrol service, and an improved re-
spect on the part of the members of this
department for the rules governing them
greater vigilance, labor and results should
follow. 1T should be borne in
mind at the same time that the swelled
figures do not neCe ssarily prove an increase
in crime but rather that those who COM
nit it We're apprehended and brought to
TRIAL. 1T marks an improved po-
lice service"
OF the 26,6GG persons arrested that year,
Sill were charged with intoxication.
In his next annual report he says:
The largest number of cases recorded in
the police department of the District since
its organization was made during the fiscal
year 1881 This NAV be ascribed
to the appointment of an additional num-
per Of policemen, the average augmcnta-
ton Of population. and more jealous work
on The part of the officers
This report shows that 21,24J persons
were arrested for all causes, and that Of
these 4.S2O were charged with intoxicaton
The Anti-Saioon League of the District
of Columbia was organized on June %.
1893 ard Immediately began its work of
reducing the number of licensed drinking
places. The superintendent Of the police
does not recognize this fact iii his suisse
quent reports, but he does mark, and re-
mark upon. the change from the thereto
fore constantly increasing number of ar
rests.
In his report for the year ending June 30,
1894, after showing the remarkable record
made by his department in finding and re-
covering lost and stolen property, he says:
while such effective results prevail with
regard TO lost property, strange as it may
seem. there was falling off in the total
l lumber of arrests to the extent of 2922
there being 21,2i5 cases recorded in 1885,;
and 24,3g' in the last year. Ii we may
judge by the diminution in the number of
arrests for the higher crimes and for in
toxication, intoxication and disordery, and
1icfr 1a ri vir fIa
responsibility for most of them are on the
wane in this community. This diminution
might be ascribed to laXity on the part of
the police. Such argument would not hold
good. when we consider that for the first
time under the present form of government
the lost and stolen property recovered was
two-thirds the value of the amount report
ed lost
police figures is fact due, in the first
place, to a high standard of discipline;
coupled with an increased force: and in the
second. to the new liquor law and it's rigid
enforcement by the police y
The fiscal year just closed shows but
1919 cases CT disorderly conduct $50 less
than in 1892, and 1Gii less than during the
preceding year. Cases cf intoxication num-
beEed 2,S23, OF 30 less than in 1892 and
not So many by Ala as in 1893 A COMPARE
son with years prior to those given taking
the Numerical strength of the police force
into consideration, more than substantiates
agant use of intoxicants''
In his report for the year ending June, 80,
1898, he says:
Crime in the District of Columbia dur
ing the last fiscal year, basing the asser-
ton upon the police 81 atistics of arrests
and complaints from citizens, has increased
in some and diminished in other respects,
the reduction more than offsetting the ia
crease Under normal conditions
they tcrimes and misdemeanors) advance
with population. This department
has reason for ccngratulation when, in
closing the business of year. the facts
and figures show such a favorable condi-
ton of affairs within it's Jurisdiction. 49,
The cases of disorderly conduct aggregated
3,US for last year, as against 4,S49 for the
previous year; intoxication and disorderiy
tone charse), SOB, as against 1850; intoxi-
cation, 2.S16 for 1893, and 2S:3 for 1894
The number of cases of arrest for
the last fiscal year was q. 1o4. or 1,2I9 less
than during the fiscal year 1884,
In his report for the year ending June 20
1885, he says:
1t may seem strange, in reviewing the
operations of the past year, that with an
increased force of police there were fewer.
cases OF arrest, but such Is nevertheless
true. -ss'
''rha year 1s9a noted @, 1O4 registrations
OF names under various charges upon the
records of the several station houses while
during 1895 there were p ,82. a decrease Of
.'i2. most creditable showing, as well in
the prevention as in the detection of in
IEactiCDS against the law" :
rms report shows that of the %, 562 ar
rests, s,'l3 were charged with intoxica-
tion against 5000 in 1895.
Mark the Ial guage In these reports In
1890: While the statistics show an increase
of arrests, 1t must not be concluded that
crime is on the increase. The swelling of
the figures is due to additions to the force
and closer vigilance and renewed activity.
IN 1891: The showing Is by no means dis
couraging.
In 1882; 1t is not strange that with an
enlarged population and police force these.
results should follow. 1t marks an i'm
proved police force.
In 1888: This may be accredited to the
appointment of an additional number Of.
policemen. the average augmentation Of
population. and more jealous work on the
part of the officers :.
In 1884: Strange as It may seem, there
was falling on in the number of arrests.
The moral improvement is due to a high
standard OF discipline and an increased
force, and to the new liquor law and its
rigid enforcement by the police
In 1885: The number of arrests was .21O
less than lsst year. Under normal condf-