The real scoop on the Precinct at Washington Park

Montrose Morris wrote: Address: 645 Grand Avenue
Name: Former 80th Precinct, now NYPD Administrative Facility
Neighborhood: Prospect Heights/Crown Heights border
Year Built: 1890's
Architectural Style: Romanesque Revival
Architects: Unknown
Landmarked: No

Why chosen: Back in the old days, many of our police precincts, like the National Guard armories built around the same time, looked like medieval fortresses guarding the town from invaders, a deliberate use of architecture to evoke a psychological response. The 80th was in use for about 80 years, sitting formidably on this busy intersection. In 1951, returning World War II veteran, Benjamin Ward, became the first black police officer to be assigned to the 80th Precinct. It was not a pleasant experience for him, as he was not welcomed by his fellow officers, or the community. For the first 3 years of his stint there, he was never assigned a locker, and had to dress at home, and ride to and from work in uniform on the subway. He persevered, however, rose through the ranks, and became the first African-American police commissioner of New York City in 1984, under Ed Koch. By that time, massive budget cuts had caused the shrinking of the police force and its resources at a time when the city needed them the most. In the mid 1970's, the 80th Precinct was abolished, their territory covered by the 77th, in Crown Heights. Today, the building is now a NYPD administrative facility of some kind, and is also said to have some kind of Special Victims Unit attached to it as well, although that has not been verified, and there is no signage visible. The building is quite impressive still, with terra-cotta trim, and a beautiful wrought iron clock face on the Park Place side. There is also a stable attached to the back on the same side. The ivy growing up the side softens this fortress, and reminds us that function does not have to dictate an absence of aesthetic beauty. The architects of most of the new precinct buildings in this city seem to have forgotten this.