SIEGE OF FORT APACHE (FROM READINGS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE, 1978-1979 - ANNUAL EDITIONS, BY DONAL E J MACNAMARA - SEE NCJ-47702)

• NCJ Number: 47706
• Author(s): T WALKER
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: Dushkin/McGraw Hill Publishing Group, Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINT FROM NEW YORK MAGAZINE (FEBRUARY 23, 1976)

Annotation

A POLICE CAPTAIN DESCRIBES THE PLIGHT OF OFFICERS WHO WORK IN A BUSY, VIOLENT, CRIME-RIDDEN PRECINCT IN NEW YORK CITY, N.Y.

Abstract

THE ARTICLE CONSISTS PRIMARILY OF DESCRIPTIONS OF INCIDENTS THAT ILLUSTRATE HOW OFFICERS OF THE SOUTH BRONX'S 41ST PRECINCT MUST LEARN VALUES NOT TAUGHT AT THE POLICE ACADEMY IN ORDER TO SURVIVE AND CARRY OUT THEIR DUTIES. THE LEVEL OF VIOLENCE DEPICTED IN THE ANECDOTES SUGGESTS THE ATMOSPHERE OF COMBAT AND SIEGE WITHIN WHICH THE OFFICERS WORK. INCLUDED ARE DESCRIPTIONS OF MINOR INCIDENTS THAT ESCALATED INTO VIOLENCE, INJURIES INFLICTED BY YOUTHS ON OTHER YOUTHS, A MOB ATTACK ON THE PRECINCT STATION, PARTICULARLY GRUESOME CRIMES, AND GANG WARS. THE OFFICERS' NEED TO MAINTAIN A CERTAIN SENSE OF HUMOR IN ORDER TO MAKE OTHERWISE INTOLERABLE SITUATIONS TOLERABLE IS NOTED, AS ARE THE FRUSTRATIONS OF ATTEMPTING TO MAINTAIN ORDER IN THE 41ST PRECINCT. (LKM)