“The Fighting Ninth” rises again! This isn’t just a slogan. It is the nickname of the 9th Precinct. Today we stand before the Ninth Precinct Station House. It is located at 321 East 5th Street. The station serves the East Village and surrounding neighborhoods. These include Alphabet City, Loisaida and NoHo.
But first, let’s take a quick look at the history. The building we see now wasn’t always here. The precinct was originally the 15th. A new station was built in 1912. The numbers “15” were carved into the sidewalk. In 1929, the city renumbered its precincts. The 15th became the 9th.
The station house was closed in 2002. It was demolished to make way for a new building. However, the original facade was saved. The Ninth Precinct moved temporarily to 130 Avenue C. It shared space with a Housing Police unit. In 2007, the “Fighting Ninth” returned home. The original stone facade was reinstalled.
Look closely at the facade. Hoppin & Koen designed it. This firm was known for city residences. They also designed the New York City Police Headquarters. You can see Beaux Arts influence in the station’s design.
The facade has appeared in many TV shows. “Kojak,” “Cagney and Lacey,” and “NYPD Blue” all filmed here. “Castle” and “Person of Interest” also used it. In “NYPD Blue,” the precinct is called the 15th. This is because the sidewalk pediment still shows those numbers. The film “Glitter” also used the station house.
The 9th Precinct covers a small area. It is just three-quarters of a square mile. Its boundaries are East 14th Street to the north and Broadway to the west. East Houston Street lies to the south. The East River is to the east.
The precinct’s area has seen many changes. It includes Tompkins Square Park. This park has been the site of riots. The Astor Place Riot and the Tompkins Square Park Riot both occurred here. The precinct was also involved in the New York Draft Riots.
The 9th Precinct has a rich history. It has seen crime decrease significantly. Between 1990 and 2018, crimes dropped by 78.3%.
The Ninth Precinct is more than just a building. It represents the history and the people of the East Village. Its facade tells a story of change. It also shows resilience. The “Fighting Ninth” continues to serve and protect.