New Police Observation Booth To Monitor Central Square

Sixteen hours a day, seven days a week, police officers will man an anticrime observation booth in Central Square, city officials announced yesterday.

The booth, which opened yesterday amid pomp and circumstance, will serve as a "visible deterrent to crime," Deputy City Manager Richard C. Rossi said yesterday.

The booth, to be manned by one officer from 8 a.m. until midnight, will cover the neighborhood during its heaviest crime period each day, according to City Councilor Saundra Graham.

Rossi explained that the project was suggested by the Central Square Committee, a community affairs group of local businessmen, residents, and politicians.

"For a long time now we have been considering the problems of rampant crime, litter and street people," said City Manager Robert W. Healy.

"It's not to serve as a precinct station or an extension of the main office, but it's there to provide a defineable location where police help can be gotten with little difficulty," Healy added.