Evening star., 1950-01-30
Police Shortage
In Rock Creek
Park Studied
House Group Told
Of Increase in
Sex Offenses

Sex Offenses
The problem of adequate po-
licing for Rock Greek Park, in the
face of an increase in sex Of
fenses, has disturbed members of
House appropriations subcom-
mittee.
Hearing testimony made public
today revealed the concern.
II know that we do need more
police, in that there has been an
increase in crime here" Repre-
sentative Fenton, Republican, of
Pennsylvania, said.
Representative Jackson, Demo-
crat, of Washington, agreed that
crime had been on the upswing.
Al More Police Asked.
FRANKIE T. Gartside, assistant
superintendent of National Capt.
tai Parks, asked the subcommittee
for Al more park policemen. DR..
Fenton noted that funds for 40
more policemen had been pro-
vided in the last appropriation,
but that all weren't on the job yet.
mo, sir" Mr.. Gartside admit
ted, 1--WE started the process of re-
cruiting them. However, we have
been able to put on mounted po-
lice at isolated sections and give
the public much better protection.
There has been only one mur-
der case since we were before the
committee last year. We show a
reduction there. There has, how
ever. been an increase in sex
crimes. -" think that is
recognized generally all over the
country
Mr.. Gartside recalled the sub
committee had been told last year
that the 40 additional policemen
asked would represent "only
about so per cent of our real
needs"
Progress is Reported.
eve have made considerable
progress against perverts in our
elimination program" he said.
But increasing population and in
creased use of the parks has left
the crime problem generally "un-
solved to a large extent" he
added.
During the last fiscal year,
Park police arrested 120 perverts,
sent 120 cases to Juvenile Court,
handled 16 cases Of rape or at
tempted rape, II cases of aggra-
waited assault and "a robberies,
Mrs. Gartside told the subcom-
mittee.
We'll. I certainly am in SYM
pathy with the proper police
force" DR.. Fenton commented.
Il think you should have it"
In its budget estimate, the Ma
tional Capital Parks Office has in
cluded' requests for money to:
Widen Constitution avenue
from Virginia avenue to Twenty
third street; provide improved
tourist camp facilities: modernize
lighting systems of the Washing
ton Monument and Sylvan The
ater; lay out picnic areas in Fort
Dupont Park; buy a mobile sound
projection unit; do surfacing work
on the Rock Creek parkway be-
tween Calvert street and Blagden
avenue and on Randle drive in
Fort Dupont Park.
Funds Shortage Cited.
Because of a sharp increase in
park use and insufficient funds,
the National Park Service "is
steadily falling behind" on it's
job of providing adequate facili-
ties for the public in the national
parks generally, Newton B. Drury,
director of the service, told the
committee.
To catch up, it would require
appropriation of $17,Ooo,0OO a
year for parkways, $17,5O0, 900 a
year for roads and trails and $14,-
100000 year for buildings, utili-
ties and other facilities-all for a
period of 10 years-he estimated.
The budget estimates for the
next fiscal year recommend only
S6,750,000 for parkways, $780,
600 for roads and trails and 81
100000 for buildings and other
construction, he noted.
Visitors to national parks to-
tailed 10.500,000 in 1945; 21,70O,-
600 in 1916 and 31,900,0OO in
1949, he stated.
There are insufficient park
rangers for proper protection of
the public. Mr.. Drury said.