Evening star., 1922-03-23
GUARDED
AGAINST CRIMES
BYPLAYGROUNDS
Less Juvenile Delinquency
Prevails in Sections With
Adequate Play Sites.
HEALTHY MIND AND BODY
RESULT FROM EXERCISE
Dangerous Influence of Street
Gangs" Prevalent Where Youths
Are Denied Proper Facilities.


Juvenile delinquency prevails in higher
percentages in those sections Of the Dis
trict without Fairgrounds than in those
parts Of the city where the kiddies have
wide and sufficient recreation spaces and
some one to supervise and direct them
in wholesome play to occupy their active
bodies and minds. figures compiled by
the children's bureau show. 1t is a
noticeable fact In the figures gathered
by those who have made surveys Of the
Fairgrounds situation here that the per-
centage Of Juvenile delinquency de-
creases in proportion to the increase in
the number of Fairgrounds in the vari-
Gus police precincts.
Blame for this juvenile delinquency is
not placed wholly on the lack Of play
grounds in certain sections, however, as
home environment has much to do with
it. But the figures seem to point to the
fact that the utter lack OF or inadequacy
Of playground space is 3 large contrib
uting cause to the increases in child
crimes. However, if these kiddies in the
built-up sections could have some play
space wlere. for the greater part Of the
day. their exercise and play would be
directed in wholesome manner, the
point of view OF life they would receive
under the instructors would largely
counteract that which they find in their
homes.
Danger in "Gangs."
Young District of Columbia is no
different from the rest of young
America. His little body and brain
are active and alert He is Just flow
ing over with action. and If there are
no Fairgrounds where the outburst-
ing of this energy can be directed he
gathers with the gangs" on the curb
stones, in the streets and, worse, up
in the alleys, where rascality Is
hatched.
While the outlying sections now
have fair playground facilities, there
Is the eVer-present possibility that
some of these privileges may be with
drawn at any time. A large number
of these playground spaces are lent
by private individuals, and may be
withdrawn at any time unless provis-
ion is made soon for their purchase
for child recreation. Other play
grounds are on large open spaces ad-
joining schoolyards. These may be
taken away by necessity due to the
erection of new buildings on the plots
OF the portables or additions neces-
sary to take care of the rapidly in
creasing school population. This
rapid increase in the school popula
tion in itself, it is pointed out, in
creases the needs for play spaces.
Distribution OF Delinquency.
Studies made by the children's bu-
reau Of the Department of Labor of
juvenile delinquency In a number Of
the sections. where the poorest liv-
ing conditions prevailed. In this re-
spect Washington was no exception.
Police precincts numbers two, four and
six. which include the greater part OF
the downtown section of the city, had
the highest percentages of delin-
quency. being 3.3. 3.5 and Al. respec-
lively. In general. the result of the
inspections by experts shows that the
sections having the poorest play IA
cilities also had the greatest amount
of delinquency.
Precincts Nos. 2 and s, which, to-
gether with Precinct No. 4. show the
greatest percentages Of delinquency,
have but two Fairgrounds for the
1887 white children. of whom 180, or
the Juvenile Court in the year ending
June 80. 1920. the last year for which
figures are available. Both of these
Fairgrounds are in precinct No. 2.
Precincts No. 2 and 6 have no play
grounds for 4.163 colored children,
Of whom 232. or Sc per cent, were
before the court.
Influence of Playground.
Precinct No. has less delinquency
than the adjoining precinct. No. 2, but
covers a much larger area and has
but two Fairgrounds, one of which is
very small and has been open but q
short time. In this precinct there
are no Fairgrounds for colored chill
dren, of whom 2.s03 live in the sec
ton. including 112, or per cent, who
were DELINQUENT during the year
studied. The same may be said of
precinct No. S, which has but two
Fairgrounds for the white population
and none for the colored children, in
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