Oct. 6, 1964 - New York Police Commissioner Michael J. Murphy plans to increase surveillance of Greenwich Village to curtail loitering and solicitation by homosexuals.
He is also considering assignment of policewomen in plain clothes to Washington Square Park to halt annoyance of female patrons by drunks and hoodlums.
Murphy has communicated his intentions to Edward I. Koch (right campaigning this week with Robert F. Kennedy), the Democratic leader of the Village, who heads a drive to rid the area of degenerates and other undesirables.
In the last few days, two policemen have been on duty in the park at all times. In the past, men on patrol have covered it as part of a beat.
Koch disclosed today that Murphy had discussed his plans with him Monday in Police Headquarters and informed him of the measures already taken.
“I told him that I understood the great demands that are made all over the city for additional police,” Koch said, “but I pressed the position of the Village as an area which requires a larger share than would ordinarily be the case because of the tremendous daily influx of visitors.”
Koch said Commissioner Murphy had assured him that more “effective” measures would be taken to curb activity of homosexuals in Village Square at Eighth Street and Avenue of the Americas and along Greenwich Avenue, as well as annoyances by drunks and hoodlums.
Koch expressed disappointment at the failure of Park Commissioner Newbold Morris to answer a request he had made for measures to limit drinking in Washington Square Park.
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