Evening star., 1932-11-06
BROWN CONSIDERS
REST OR|NG TWO.
POLICE STATIONS.
Southwest and Central North
west Inconvenienced, Say
Civic Groups.
AREAS FORMERLY SERVED
BY OLD NO. 2 AND NO. 4
First Precinct Station Change to
More Central Location Also
Held Desirable.

Recommendations for re-establish-
ment of several police precincts wiped
out about a year ago in the reorganlza-
tion of the Police Department were con-
sidered yesterday by Maj. Ernest w
Brown, superintendent.
Various civic groups have appealed to
Maj. Brown to revive the old second
and fourth precincts on the ground
that the existing set-up has deprived
Southwest Washington and large por-
tion of the Central Northwest area OF
q convenient police station.
The precinct station for the South
west section, formerly No. 4, Is now In
the Southeast, whereas the old second
precinct was merged with the eighth
which resulted in the transfer of the
precinct station from Fifth street, be-
tween M and N streets, to U street, be-
tween Ninth and Tenth streets.
These changes, Maj. Brown was told
removed the police stations too far from
residents and business interests in the
areas previously covered by the old pre-
cinctS.
Would Change First.
Mai. Brown also has been urged to
find a more central location for the
first precinct, which, since its consoli-
dation with the old sixth precinct,
covers the area between North Capitol
and Fifteenth streets and Pennsylvania
avenue and K street. Some of the
downtown business men nave pointed
out that the present first precinct sta
tion, on New Jersey avenue between D
and E streets, Is not close enough to
the business area in the event of an
emergency.
establishment of the old second
precinct, Maj. Brown said. would not
be practical since the station house
has been remodeled and turned over
to the Woman's Bureau Of the Police
Department. He does think, however,
it might be possible to revive the old
fourth precinct for the convenience of
residents in Southwest Washington,
but finding a more central location
for the first precinct station was said
this time.
Location Temporary.
Location of the first precinct head
quarters in the old No. station house
on New Jersey avenue originally was
intended to be only temporary, since
plans had been made to erect central
police station in the municipal center
area. Development of the municipal
center project has been deferred. how
ever. on account Of existing economic
conditions, and police officials fear it
may be 10 years or more before the
central police station becomes a reality.
In the meantime, No. / headquarters
will remain at the New Jersey avenue
station house, unless steps are taken
by the Commissioners to find more
central location. Lack of funds will
prevent the rental of private building
in the business area, and police officials
said they knew Of no municipal-owned
property in the business section avail
able for Police Department use
Abolition of the old precincts was
brought about by the introduction of
the military plan of organization of the
Police Department proposed by Maj.
Gen Herbert B. Crosby, Commissioner
in charge of police. At that time the
precincts were grouped into three in
spection districts, and police inspectors
assigned to the command of each
district.