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Edward KocheEdward Koche
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Session:         Page of 617

Q:

Well, actually you got into two issues in this story -- the crime issue but also the parks issue, which had always been of concern to you from the time you got into politics.

Koch:

Correct.

Q:

Maybe topically we should deal with the parks.

Koch:

Well, Washington Square Park: a very interesting situation. It's the heart of the Village. I'm not sure if I told you of my recent correspondence with Captain Fortune concerning Washington Square Park.

When I go through that park (I only live a block away), it hurts me, particularly in nice weather when the park is filled with a lot of people. The park has now been taken over by blacks who don't live in the area but who come down, putting it very candidly, looking for trouble, people who are militant and dissheveled looking. I want to tell you: they intimidate. And not only that -- there you can say that's subjective, but there are some objective aspects to it. There's gambling in the park. It's the largest open air casino in the world. People, particularly these blacks -- they're running dice games and shell games and card games. We never had that. Now, I don't happen to be against gambling, but I am against gambling in public areas where the constituency doesn't want it. You may say, “Gee, is





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