Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-08-06
Prince Georges
Citizens Call
For MorePoIice
Also Urge Action
To Control Floods
Near Peace Cross
By ChorIes A. McAIeer

By Cherries A. McAleer
Enlargement of the Prince Georges
County police. force to provide
ample protection" for county resi-
dents was urged last night by the
county Civic Federation.
Meeting at the County Service
Building, Hyattsville, the group
named a 12-member committee to
study police needs and to determine
how enlargement of the force may
be financed.
The federation acted after Ralph
w. Brown. county police superin-
tendent, described difficulties of the
present force because of being I'M
dermanned. He told the federation
he would like to see" 100 men on
the force, instead of IS as at present.
The civic group also advocated
immediate action to control flood
waters at the Peace Cross, Bladens-
burg.
Praises Police Force.
In his appeal to the federation
for more men, Chief Brown praised
members of his force, but added.
I'VE can't give the protection we'd
like to give"
He explained that Montgomery
County has almost 100 more police
men than Prince Georges, even
though the population Of the former
county Is smaller.
Because of the small force, 1t
sometimes Is necessary to have only
one scout car on duty, Chief Brown
said.
Chief Brown suggested the posi-
bility of consolidating or replacing
town police forces with county po-
lice. Asserting some town police are
good men," Chief Brown added
that the majority have other jobs
during the day and the only time
you can get them is in the evening""
Five Towns Have Police Radios.
Police of only five towns, Hyatts-
vile, Mount Rainier, Brentwood,
Colmar Manor and Bladensburg,
have cars equipped with police ra-
dos, by which they can keep in
contact with county police, Chief
Brown said. But the county police
often have to assist in those towns
as we'll as the rest of the county, he
added.
A larger, centralized force under
one command would provide moro
efficient protection, the superin-
tendent said. But, he warned,
people who want larger force must
also agree to pay more taxes for it.
The majority of those present
last night were In accord with his
recommendations. and stated they
would be willing to pay increased
taxes. Walter F. Mulligan, fedora
ton president, estimated that an
additional 81 men on the force
would mean about $155,000 more in
the county budget and about 9 cents
more on the county tax rate unless
other means are devised to raise
the money.
Two Possibilities Suggested.
Members of the group suggested
two neutrality-suspicious. OF a
liquor dispensary system similar to
the one in Montgomery County and
the legalizing of gambling. Discus
sion of both suggestions was de-
ferred until the September meeting.
Named to the committee which
will investigate all aspects Of the
ed hnfnra a
before the Prince Georges County
commissioners were Daniel M.
Greene of Avondale, chairman;
Charles F. Luebner, University
Park: Frank Fierstein, Bladensburg;
George w. Bowen, District Heights;
George L. Ickes, Bowie; Mrs. Gene
We've Stewart, Riverdale Heights:
Mrs. Betty Tayman, Cheverly: Mrs.
Dorothy E. Sousa, West Hyattsville;
Mrs. Catherine Bull Jordan, Avon
dale; Albert F. Bird, Temple Hills;
DR.. Herman Dubuy. Berwyn, and
Mr.. Mulligan, also of Berwyn.
Mr.. Ickes told the federation that
twice during the past weeks heavy
rains. the Peace Cross area has
been flooded.
The federation voted to seek the
aid of Senators Tydings and O'Conor
and Representative Sasscer, all DEM
ocrats of Maryland. for immediate
action at Bladensburg instead OF
waiting for long-range plans" to
curb the floods. The group also in
structed a committee, headed by
Fred w. Cast of Cheverly, to con-
tact the Army engineers Office in
Washington and the Maryland State
Roads Commission in regard to their
f1ood control plans.