Evening star., 1931-11-29
Conditions in Prince Georges.

HeGeQL GeVelOpulcIllS AGAIN CLIlpld~
size the unique problem faced by the
good citizens OF Princes Georges Coun-
ty in providing themselves with ade-
oIate police protection, and it is not
in the spirit of criticism that some OF
the aspects Of this problem can be
pointed out. A nasty murder and q
gun battle that has left several of the
wounded In hospitals occurred within
the past week at tea house" operated
on land adjacent to high school, and
the investigation Of that affair throws
light on the true nature of this estab-
lishment and becomes an indictment, of
a sort, against officials Of the county
who permitted its operation. The con-
viction of a notorious gambler, whose
establishment in Prince Georges County
was apparently known for years by
everybody except the law enforcement
officers, raises the embarrassing ques-
ton Of how this gambler could have
reaped the rich rewards Of his illegal
pursuits and escaped every penalty ex-
cept that provided for Federal tax
dodgers. Federal officers recently de-
cended on a resort in the county that
evidently enjoyed wide patronage from
liquor buying Washingtonians.
There are vice dens, gambling estab-
lishments and speakeasies in Washing
ton. Those who live in the Districe can
not afford to throw stones at Prince
Georges. The citizens Of the county
are able to take care of their own house
cleaning once the need for it becomes
apparent. And the nature Of develop
ments indicates that If the need has
not become apparent already it soon
will.
Prince Georges has become q pop
ulous suburban community. 1t invites
home-loving, substantial citizens, but
offers inducements to others as well.
It lies adjacent to the District of Co
lumbia, across q line that more sharp
ly divides law Jurisdiction than the
usual boundaries between city and
suburbs. Its area is more than four
times that of the District, its popula-
ton Is one-eighth Of the population Of
the District. Yet it depends upon po-
lice protection from a force Of only
eleven uniformed county officers, q
group Of constableS and the sheriff,
with q number of deputies that varies.
Its uniformed police force is less than
half as large as that Of neighboring
Montgomery County, which is smaller
in population. There Is friction be-
tween the sheriff's ofdce and the uni
formed county police that Is openly
acknowledged and q lack Of co-opera-
ton that is generally deplored. The
commission Of any important crime
within the county boundaries means
that the investigation must be turned
over to other agencies or left to be in
adequately performed.
It Is not believed that the conditions
now existing reflect any approving
sentiment among the citizens and tax
payers. The difficulty lies in the fact
that the county, with an organization
for self-sovernment that suburban de-
velopment has made archaic, has been
slow to undertake changes. Nearby
Arlington County has decided to substi-
tute centralized authority for the out
worn county machinery. Montgomery
County has enlarged its police force
and by legislation removed the possibil-
ity Of jur1sdictional disputes between
the police and the sheriff. Prince
Georges County citizens must soon face
the choice between becoming a relative
ly safe gathering place for undesirables,
or undertake the necessary reforms
that will be In keeping with its po-
tential development as fine suburban
community.