Evening star., 1940-05-19
Enforcement
OF Law Here
Termed Better
Rotio of Arrests
To Offenses
Rose in 1899

Law enforcement improved here
during 1899 despite an increase of
10 per cent in the number of crimes,
DR.. James A. Nolan, managing di-
rector of the Washington Criminal
Justice Association, declared yester-
day in his fourth annual report.
The general nature of the crimes
has not changed over the previous
year, the report declared, house.
breaking or burglary still being the
most prevalent. Grand larceny, rob-
Berry and aggravated assault fol-
lowed in order.
the police force, DR.. Nolan pointed
to peculiar problems faced in Wash
ington, including the great influx of
visitors. He said that despite these
handicaps, on basis of the ratio OF
actual arrests to total offenses re-
ported an increase of per cent was
noted in 1899 over the year previous
and nearly per cent over 1887.
These figures, DR.. Nolan said, "indi-
cate increased police efficiency in
apprehending felons."
Increase in Force Urged.
An increase in the force is neces-
sary to cope with the growing popu-
lation of the city. the report went
on. If Washington had the same
ratio as London. the local force
would have 275 additional men.
The association conducted an in
vestigation of cases dropped without
prosecution and found that large
number of original compliments
were visitors from out of town un-
willing to return here to prosecute.
The general public is often un-
willing to attend line-ups to identify
criminals because the victims become
tired of too many infringements on
their daily routines," the report
continued
Investigation was also made of
police practices of holding persons
for investigation. The association
found, according to the report, that
the police undoubtedly" are ar
resting too many persons on the
general charge of investigation. The
result is that not only too many
innocent people have their civil
rights violated but others are not
properly charged, it was stated.
Investigation" was found to in
clude not only persons held for
questioning but stray child held
for the police. sick person being
held for transfer to hospital, or
fugitives being held for other au-
thorities.
Term Called a MisnOmer.
Careful study" of cases, accord
ing to the report, revealed the term
'for investigation is a "misnomer
and that the practice and procedure
of the police in this regard should be
clarified"
Juvenile crime increased IL per
cent over the previous year and
constituted about quarter of all
actual arrests.
"It must, however, be borne in
mind" the report explained, that
in 1888 the Juvenile Court age was
raised from II to 18 years. which
could account for part of the in
crease"
Attention was called to the need
for uniform procedure in all male
cases over the age of IL. The re-
port pointed out for example, that
a man might report his home
entered. If police take in a youth
of 18 years they solve a burglary
crime But if the lad is 17R years
old, the offense is called unlawful
entry.
"It is needless to say that the
ofense remains the same regardless
Of the perpetrator," the report de-
clared, adding that this practice
handicaps an accurate system of
accounting offenses.
In spite of the increase in the
number of arrests, the number of
cases disposed of in police court
was n fewer than in 1888, DR..
Nolan declared. The grand jury
also returned fewer indictments than
in 1898.
Less Trial Delay Seen.
In connection with speeding up
trials in criminal court the report
declared:
SIT may safely be said that guilty
criminals are now less likely to be
able to take advantage of continued
delays before trial, and as a result
criminal justice functions more ade-
quately and the community is as
sured a greater amount of protec-
ton"
Covoro1 0prooroee;yo oho,rosn
have been introduced into proba-
ton practice during the year which
saw an increase of about per cent
in the number of suspended sent
ences, said the report. These
changes include fingerprinting of all
prospective probationers and clear
ing the prints through the District
Jail and the Federal Bureau of In
vestigation.
Another survey by the association
would give credence to tha belief
that the increase in crime in 1889
as compared to 1888 was due in part
to the increase in the use of heroin
among the colored groups"
Most Drug Addicts Young.
The survey showed that some SO
per cent of drug addicts admitted to
Jail for all offenses are under 81
years of age and that Negroes COM
pose 80 per cent of the group. -.
In connection with the bail bond
system, the report found that the
loophole where known criminals
may continue to prey on law abiding
citizens is gradually being elimi-
mated" but bonding practices in Dis
trict Court are "still haphazard and
chaotic"
The association is primarily con-
cerned with crime against the person
and property Of District residents
During 1889 SAT- serious offenses OF
this type were reported. Crimes not
so frequently reported, but which
showed an increase during the year