MOST police precincts in NYC display two green lamps at the entrance. The tradition of green lights dates back to colonial times. According to the NYPD website, “It is believed that the Rattle Watchmen, who patrolled New Amsterdam in the 1650’s, carried lanterns at night with green glass sides in them as a means of identification. When the Watchmen returned to the watch house after patrol, they hung their lantern on a hook by the front door to show people seeking the watchman that he was in the watch house. Today, green lights are hung outside the entrances of Police Precincts as a symbol that the “Watch” is present and vigilant.” I remember that before NYPD patrol cars were painted blue and white, they were green and white, and MTA buses were also green. Lots of green around in the old days.
Here’s a look at the 72nd Precinct on 4th Avenue between 29th and 30th Streets in Greenwood Heights, originally part of “South Brooklyn.” The station is modern and appears to date to the 1960s or 1970s. There are two lamp stanchions at the entrance, but at first glance there appears to be no green glass there. However: a closer look reveals that the words “72nd Precinct” on each globe are painted in green.
Curious about police precinct buildings in Brooklyn? Police NY has photos of some of the old ones.
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10/17/24