Evening star., 1957-12-02

Local experts agree that
maintain that trend.
II was only months ago Il
rising rate OF delinquency. bl
current situation is peaceful.
Washington is the only ma
jor city in the United States
that can point TO a steady
reduction in juvenile delin-
quency." noted Inspector John
E Winters. who heads the ju-
venile division OF the city's
Police Department.
The inspector pointed out
that juvenile crime repeaters
in the District average less
than IS per cent of the total
number Of juvenile cases. This
compares with ~ per cent
nationwide. he noted.
Flower at Children's Center
Also significant is the sharp
reduction in the number Of ju-
veniles admitted to the city's
Receiving Home and Children s
Center.
The home. where offenders
are retained before they are
sentenced or released. admitted
1872 boys in October this year,
compared with 236 in October
1856. During September ana
October this year 280 boys were
admitted. compared with 40
nearly so per cent more
during the same period last
year.
Welfare Department figures
show a reduction exceeding
one-third in the number Of
young offenders committed TO
the Children's Center, COM
pared with last fall.
City activities against the
spread OF lawleSs activities by
gangs in all sections Of the COM
munity have been headed by
the Area l. program OF the
Commissioners Youth Council,
More than a year ago this area
board which covers a congested,
slum- ridden Second Precinct
area. undertook a campaign to
halt delinquency's rise.
Why Delinquency Is Lower
Delinquency combatants agree
on the following reasons for
the retreat Of juvenile crime in
Area l. and elsewhere:
/. More than a years care
ful work by a pair Of city de-
tectives.
2. The introduction of adult
supervision Of juvenile groups
personified in the work of an
ex-boxer who won the conf
dence Of the gangs in the juris-
diction Of Area L-rated the
toughest in the city.
3. The introduction of recre-
alton facilities for many youths
who previously limited their
exercise to rowing aimleSsly but
dangerously in packs.
4. Persistent publicity. mostly
through the schools. condemn
ing law breaking and the un-
savery aspects of gang life. The
gangs. prodded by the continual
publicity. became unfaShion-
able in some sections of the city
But the tensions and troubles
caused by several GANGS months
ago can rapidly return. Inspec-
tor Winters warns.
Workers in the delinquency
field agree that adult Supervi-
sion Of youthful activities is the
No. ! requisite to preserve the
gains. They potint out num-
erous examples.
Boys Club Center Cited
One is the Washington Boys
Club center at Seventeenth
street and Massachusetts, ave-
nue. Sc. Its director. Charles
REYNOLDS. began work with the
Saints, well-organized and
troublesome gang. early in 1856.
BY the fall of last year. many
Of the Saints belonged to the
center's football team. Others
joined the center's boxing.
swimming and other recrea-
tional programs.
I'VE don't have an instance
OF boys here back in trouble.
The Saints are out Of exist
ence." Mr.. Reynolds declared.
At other centers. gangs have
been encouraged TO play as
teams TO permit the members
to retain their group-oriented
sentiments. but under adult
supervision,
Major adult supervision of