The Washington times., 1920-03-24
Washington PoliceWomen;,
Ho1U They Work, Told By
Chief of WOman's Bureau
By FRANCIS de SALES RYAN.

I'm UGH of the work of the
MI woman's police bureau is
A'A preventive" remarked
Mrs. Van Wrinkle. in the course OF
her interview with The Times rep
rese.ltative. az do not think that
the public realizes how much pre-
ventive work is done by the police
department OF a large city.
THE more we study the problem
of crime the more we come to real
iZe the Importance OF preventive
rather than punitive measures. IL
is particularly true that women
are needed in the police department.
to introduce and to carry out many
preventive measures In view OF tue
constantly increasing number OF
women and girls In PUBIC lie anu
industrial work.
In our preventive work we con-
slider that the supervision and gem
eral survey of moving pictures
dance halls, skating Kinks, railway
stations, parks, and large Pubic
gatherings have a legitimate place.
Also we have special workers who
have charge of delinquents and
suspects on probation-keep them
lodged, find positions for them, al
wise them as to associates, amuse-
ments and so forth.
1--WE have a long list OF girls on
probation who keep diaries which
they submit to us once week,
giving an account of how and
where they spent their time and in
what manner. their money was
spent. The Officers visit these
girls, too, and in many cases sim
cere and stanch friendships have
thus been formed that have been
extremely beneficial to the girls.
Urge Church-Going.
There is one rule which we fol-
low in these cases that has brought
excellent results. 1t is this: II
girl has once been a churchgoer
we strongly urge her attendance
every Sunday at a church of the
particular denomination to which
she belongs, and we encourage her
to form the acquaintance OF the
women workers in that particular
church.
The woman's bureau places the
greatest emphasis on case work."
continued Mrs. Van Wrinkle. Thor
auently brings to light many facts
at variance with what is commonly
supposed to be true.
investigations which the bureau
made during the last year revealed
conditions that warranted our Civ
ing special attention to ninety cases
of delinquent girls that were placed
on voluntary probation - that Is,
they were told they could choose
between being charged with their
ofrense in court or reporting regu-
larIy to the womcn's bureau. They
decided to report to the bureau.
our follow-up worker found
homes during the year for fifteen
girls, secured positions for fifty
other girls returned six to their
own folks In other parts OF the
country, and has now under her
caro- i've unmarried mothers. fff-
teen girls who were unhappily
married-eleven OF them under
eighteen years OF age-nre report
ing TO her now. Fifteen girls need
ing merely friendly guidance and
some disciplinary influence, and ten
protective cases are also being
looked after by this worker.
The yiolntor--.
~Only ten girls have violated the
probationary confidence placed in
- and after much patient care
= ympathy seven OF them had to
be placed in the National Training
school for Girls. -Four of these
were under sixteen years Of ago
and destitute OF suitable homes.
-Four OF the probationors were hap
PLY married"
At no time. said Mrs. Van win
kic. has the woman's bureau report
ed any girl TO the Juvenile Cctrt