21st Precinct 54-01-27 (029) The Kid

Summary

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Podcast Summary: 21st Precinct – "The Kid" (Episode Air Date: 1954-01-27)

Podcast: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Episode: 21st Precinct (29) – "The Kid"
Date Aired via Podcast: February 22, 2026

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Overview

This episode of "21st Precinct" centers on the struggles of a young man named Paul Hans, a 16-year-old suspected of burglary. The episode explores the tension between trust and suspicion within a family rocked by police scrutiny, and the efforts of Captain Frank Kennelly to intervene before Paul’s future is irreparably damaged. The story unfolds in the cold, tense urban landscape of 1950s New York, dramatizing the complexity of juvenile delinquency, family loyalty, and the emotional labor of police work.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Structure

Setting the Stage: The Daily Work of the 21st Precinct

[01:10–03:23]

• Captain Kennelly introduces the precinct's daily operations, the challenges posed by icy streets, and the roll call of patrolmen.
• Police officers are instructed to monitor street conditions and local responsibilities.

The Problem Emerges: Ralph Hans’ Visit

[03:24–07:00]

• Ralph Hans, a recently returned veteran and local shop owner, consults Captain Kennelly about his younger brother, Paul, who has had brushes with the law.

• Ralph is worried about Paul’s "jams" and wants the Captain to talk to him, hoping the intervention can help.

  “He’s a good kid, I guess, but he gets himself into some awful jams.” — Ralph Hans (04:28)

• Ralph admits uncertainty about Paul’s innocence, reflecting family divisions:

  "My wife, Stella, can't stand him. She thinks he's sneaky. My mother thinks he's an angel... I don't know what to think." — Ralph Hans (06:03)

Fact-Finding: Conversations Among Officers

[07:12–08:20]

• Detective Cassidy discusses Paul’s police history: the boy has been questioned regarding several local burglaries but released due to lack of evidence.
• Cassidy is skeptical:

  "The boy’s a walking corkscrew." — Detective Cassidy (08:15)

The Family Dynamic: At the Hans' Shop

[09:46–12:46]

• Captain Kennelly visits Ralph’s shop to meet the family.

• Tension erupts between Paul’s sister-in-law (Stella) and his mother over Paul's character.

  "You know that kid's been lying and stealing since he was able to walk. He's just rotten through and through. But don't quote me." — Stella Hans (10:34)
  "You know my own sons. I know them better than anybody." — Mrs. Hans (12:41)

• The mother resists having the Captain talk to Paul, claiming innocence for her boy and blaming the neighborhood for their troubles.

The Intervention: Kennelly Talks to Paul

[14:56–22:17]

• Captain Kennelly visits Paul at home, ensures that their talk is private.

• Paul appears studious and polite, claims interest in becoming a police officer and denies wrongdoing.

  • Discussion about future aspirations and the importance of a clean record.

• Kennelly delivers a heartfelt warning about the cost of error:

  "Nothing’s free, Paul. You got to pay for everything. And the hardest way to pay for it is with years out of your life." — Captain Kennelly (19:00)

• Paul promises to do better, and expresses appreciation for Kennelly’s approach:

  "If more cops would come around to kids' houses and sit in the kitchen like this and talk, there’d be a lot less trouble you’d have with ... juvenile delinquency." — Paul Hans (20:23)

The Turn: A New Development

[22:38–26:46]

• The next day, Ralph calls the precinct distressed—Paul has been picked up again. Captain Kennelly learns that detectives have found stolen property (a stamp machine) under Paul’s bed and that he has confessed to the burglaries.

• Confronted by Kennelly, Paul admits to the crime:

  "Look, I know I’ve been greasing you along... But I made a mistake, that’s all. I made a mistake and I’m sorry." — Paul Hans (26:53)

• Captain Kennelly quietly acknowledges his own mistake in trusting Paul’s assurances.

Closing Reflection

[27:36–27:51]

• The narrator offers a somber reflection on the unpredictable, cyclical nature of life in the precinct:

  "A police precinct in the city of New York is a flesh-and-blood merry-go-round. Anyone can catch the brass ring, or the brass ring can catch anyone." — Narrator (27:36)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Juvenile Delinquency and Influence:

  "He always said he wanted to be a cop. He still says it... The kid needs somebody to make an impression on him, Captain. A real impression."
  — Ralph Hans (05:42, 06:19)

• On the Emotional Labor of Police:

  "I've seen more kids than I could count sitting just like you're sitting right now. Nothing's free, Paul. You got to pay for everything."
  — Captain Kennelly (19:00)

• On Police-Community Relations:

  "If more cops would come around to kids’ houses and sit in the kitchen like this and talk, there’d be a lot less trouble with... juvenile delinquency."
  — Paul Hans (20:23)

• On False Hope and Real Consequences:

  "Well, Paul, looks like we wasted a lot of time yesterday, huh?"
  — Captain Kennelly (26:39)

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Timestamps of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:10 | Opening narration, setting the precinct scene | | 03:24 | Ralph Hans seeks Kennelly’s help for his brother Paul | | 08:03 | Detective Cassidy details Paul’s history with the police | | 09:46 | Kennelly visits the Hans family’s shop | | 14:56 | Kennelly visits Paul’s home and talks with Mrs. Hans | | 17:02 | Heart-to-heart conversation between Kennelly and Paul | | 20:23 | Paul reflects on positive police intervention | | 22:38 | Kennelly learns of Paul’s re-arrest | | 26:39 | Climax: Paul’s confession and Kennelly’s realization | | 27:36 | Final narration, episode closure |

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Tone & Language

The episode features earnest, straight-talking dialogue in the authentic New York vernacular of the 1950s, with both warmth and bluntness in family interactions and police work. The show’s mood shifts from bureaucratic routine to family tension, heartfelt warning, and finally sadness and resignation.

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Summary

"The Kid" is a poignant example of the 21st Precinct’s blend of procedural detail, moral complexity, and social commentary. The episode doesn’t offer clear heroes or villains—just people struggling against the currents of circumstance, community pressures, and their own weaknesses. Its ending is a sobering reminder that even good intentions and preventive interventions sometimes arrive too late—a theme as relevant now as in the golden age of radio.

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Transcript

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[Sergeant Burns]

21st Precinct. Sergeant Burns. What do you mean, rob? Lady held up. Oh, burglars. When did this happen? Was during the night. Yeah. Yes, ma', am.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

You are in the muster room at the 21st Precinct, the nerve center. A call is coming through. You will follow the action taken pursuant to that call from this minute until the final report is written in the 124 room at the 21st Precinct.

[Sergeant Burns]

All right, I'll send the officers right over there. Yeah, they'll be there right away. You just wait for them. What? Oh, yeah. You're welcome.

[Narrator]

21st Precinct. It's just lines on a map of the city of New York. Most of the 173,000 people wedged into the 9/10 of a square mile between Fifth Avenue and the east river wouldn't know if you asked them that they lived or worked in the 21st. Whether they know it or not, the security of their home is the job of the men of the 21st Precinct.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

The 21st. 160 patrolmen, 11 sergeants and four lieutenants, of whom I'm the boss. My name is Kelly. Frank Canelli. I'm captain in Command of the 21st. I was working my day tour. 8am to 6pm A light rain had fallen early in the morning and the temperature had suddenly dropped, making the streets icy and treacherous. At 7:35, after I changed my uniform, I sat in my office to begin reading and signing the reports and communications that had accumulated since I was last on duty 24 hours earlier. At 2 minutes to 8, Sergeant Burns on TS rang into my office and told me the 8 to 4 platoon was ready to turn out Lieutenant Gorman. The desk officer pressed a button that rang a bell in the back room and the 47 men who would patrol the streets of the 21st for the next eight hours marched out in a military manner and formed ranks in front of the desk. As I walked out of my office, I crossed the muster room and went behind the desk where the roll call for entry in the blotter was being made by Lieutenant Norman Turner.

[Paul Hans]

Yes.

[Sergeant Burns]

Underwood?

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Here.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Weber.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Yes.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Weeks.

[Sergeant Burns]

Wolf Zegler. Want to take over, Captain?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yeah. All right, men, a few things. We have instructions to assist the borough president's office in a survey of certain street conditions. Each of you will take note of any street opening now in progress. On your post, you will talk to the foreman in charge of the job and ascertain what public utility or city department has opened the street for what purpose and the approximate date and time the repairs will be completed. All this information will be entered in your memorandum books and at the end of the tour will be transferred to a UF20A and turned into the desk officer. The streets and sidewalks are icy and dangerous today. In cases that so require, you will call the attention of householders and storekeepers to their legal obligations to remove ice from the sidewalks. That's all, Sergeant. Post to platoon.

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Platoon.

[Sergeant Burns]

Thanks.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Hut.

[Sergeant Burns]

Right face.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Forward put. I'll be in my office, Lieutenant.

[Paul Hans]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Sergeant.

[Sergeant Burns]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Go ahead, take the call.

[Paul Hans]

Yes, sir.

[Sergeant Burns]

21st Precinct. Sergeant Burns. Would you excuse me, please? You'll have to take some business over here at the desk, mister.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, what kind of a wreck?

[SpinQuest Disclaimer Voice]

Automobile.

[Sergeant Burns]

I'd just like to talk to the captain a minute.

[Chaplain]

What is it you want?

[Sergeant Burns]

Was anyone hurt?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh, that's all right, Lieutenant. I'll talk to him. I know him well.

[Sergeant Burns]

How bad? You need an ambulance.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Hello, Ralph. What can I do for you, Captain?

[Sergeant Burns]

How are you?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh, I'm fine. When did you get out of the service?

[Sergeant Burns]

Oh, two or three months ago. Yeah, I'm in business again over at 697. I opened a little radio and TV repair shop. What hospital?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh, yes, I think I passed the place. I didn't know it was yours.

[Sergeant Burns]

The officer's over there. Right away.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

What is it you have on your mind?

[Sergeant Burns]

Well, I got a kid brother, Paul, 16. He'll be 17.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I'm a little worried about it.

[Sergeant Burns]

Yeah, you just wait there.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh, well, come on in my office.

[Sergeant Burns]

He's a good kid, I guess, but he gets himself into some awful jams.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Go ahead. Thanks. All right, Ralph. Have a seat.

[Paul Hans]

Yeah, thanks.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

What kind of jams?

[Sergeant Burns]

It might be the other kids he runs with in the neighborhood. I don't know.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Does he live in the precinct?

[Sergeant Burns]

Oh, yeah. In the same block as the store. My mother. I used to live there too, before I got married. My folks lived there for years. That's how I come to open the store on the block.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, what's this trouble he's had?

[Sergeant Burns]

They had him down here last night.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Who?

[Sergeant Burns]

The detectives he said they came around to the candy store. He hangs out with the other kids and they picked him up. They brought him in here and talked to him a while and then they let him go home.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

What'd they talk to him about?

[Sergeant Burns]

Stealing. I don't think he'd done anything like that, though. What does he need it for? He doesn't need to steal.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

What specifically did they talk to him about?

[Sergeant Burns]

About some flats in the neighborhood that had been broken into. And a store florist over on Second Avenue. One of the kids ran over and told my mother he'd been arrested. She got all excited and called me on the telephone at home. By the time I got here, they let him go.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Maybe they decided he had nothing to do with it.

[Sergeant Burns]

Maybe. But what I would like, captain, would

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

be for you to talk to him.

[Sergeant Burns]

You know what I mean? I can't do it. He don't have much respect for what I say, and we got no father. He always said he wanted to be a cop. He still says it.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I figure if you could talk to

[Sergeant Burns]

him, maybe that'll straighten him out. He'll realize what the score is.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh, wait a minute. I thought you said that you thought he didn't have anything to do with that stuff. Well, to tell you the truth, I

[Sergeant Burns]

don't know what to think. My wife, Stella, can't stand him. She thinks he's sneaky. My mother thinks he's an angel. A kid when you talk to him. But it wouldn't melt in his mouth. I don't know what to think. Would you talk to him, captain?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

That's a job for our youth patrolman.

[Sergeant Burns]

Well, the kid needs somebody to make an impression on him, captain. A real impression. Couldn't you just spend a couple of minutes with him as a personal favor to me?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

All right, if you want, I'll bring

[Sergeant Burns]

him in here this afternoon, if that's okay.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

No, I. I don't think it'd be a good idea to talk here. He might be a little uneasy. Yeah.

[Sergeant Burns]

Yeah, he might at that, after last night.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

What time does he get home from school? About four, a little after. Well, could you have him in your shop at 4:30? I'll come by and see him there.

[Sergeant Burns]

Yeah, sure, that'll be fine. I'll have him there 4:30 this afternoon.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yeah, I'll see you there.

[Paul Hans]

Thanks, captain.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Thanks a lot. That's all right.

[Sergeant Burns]

Bye.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Bye, Ralph.

[Sergeant Burns]

21st Precinct. Sergeant Burns.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Sergeant, ring the detectives for me.

[Paul Hans]

Yes, sir.

[Sergeant Burns]

21st Squad.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Detective Cassidy, this Captain Kelly. Is Lieutenant King around?

[Sergeant Burns]

No, sir. The lieutenant swinging today?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh, yes. Look, somebody was talking to a boy up there last night about some burglaries. Paul. Hans, can you find out for me who was handling those squeals?

[Sergeant Burns]

Yes, sir. It was me, Captain. What did you want to know?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, what about it? Was he right for them about breaking into the flats?

[Sergeant Burns]

I don't know for sure, Captain. That kid was inside the florist shop for sure.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, why'd you turn him out?

[Sergeant Burns]

He denies the whole thing and I had nothing to hold him on. Just the information from another kid that Paul showed him $20 and told him it came out of the shop. Paul says the other kid is a liar. He never had $20. Well, he still had 11 in his pocket. I asked him where he got it. He said he wanted playing cards in a club room. The boys just sat here and lied to me for two hours. Polite. You never met anyone so polite. He's the politest liar I ever saw.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

What are you doing about him, Cassidy?

[Sergeant Burns]

Well, I'm gonna keep my eye on him and talk to him.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

After every break in, his brother wants me to talk to him, see if I can straighten him out.

[Sergeant Burns]

Does he?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yep. I'm going to see him this afternoon.

[Sergeant Burns]

Well, I wish you luck, Captain. That boy's a walking corkscrew.

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[Captain Frank Kennelly]

At 4:15 sector car number three came by the house and drove me to 690 East 70th street, an old law tenement building. The first floor had been converted to commercial purposes. The front rooms on one side were Occupied by a beauty parlor. Those on the other by Ralph Hat's radio repair shop. I walked up the stoop and into the hall. Through the glass door, I could see a young woman sitting at the counter, thumbing through the pages of a magazine.

[Mrs. Hans]

Hello. Oh, hello.

[Stella Hans]

You're that captain.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Captain Kennelli?

[Sergeant Burns]

Yes.

[Stella Hans]

Ralph's in the back. I'm his wife.

[Mrs. Hans]

Ralph.

[Stella Hans]

Let me turn this thing off. Ralph, that captain's here, all right. He's back there working on a rush job. The customer wants it back in time for the fight tonight. You're gonna talk to the kid, huh, Paul?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

That's right.

[Stella Hans]

You're wasting your time, Ralph. He'll smile at you and say, yes, sir, no, sir, and he'll go right out and do what he pleases.

[Mrs. Hans]

Boy, look at that casserole.

[Stella Hans]

The magazine gives you a recipe and a picture in color and tells you how to make it in every detail. You think it ever turns out like the picture? Never.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Ralph.

[Chaplain]

One second.

[Stella Hans]

You know that kid's been lying and stealing since he was able to walk. He's just rotten through and through. But don't quote me. Ralph's mother will jump down my throat. She thinks he's an angel.

[Paul Hans]

Ah.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Excuse me, Captain. That's all right.

[Sergeant Burns]

I was soldering a new condenser in the radio. I couldn't let it go. Sorry.

[Mrs. Hans]

Well, where's Pa?

[Sergeant Burns]

He'll be here.

[Stella Hans]

Well, our captain's a busy man. Paul should be here waiting for the captain. Instead of the captain waiting for Paul.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh, it's just 4:30.

[Stella Hans]

It's a waste of time and effort with that kid.

[Sergeant Burns]

How do you know it's a waste of time and effort?

[Stella Hans]

He's no good.

[Sergeant Burns]

You got no right to say that, Stella. Just because some kid in the neighborhood is mad at Paul and lied to the police about him, you've got no right. The detectives let him go, didn't they

[Stella Hans]

just Cause they couldn't prove it. I don't have to prove it. I know. So do you.

[Sergeant Burns]

I don't know.

[Mrs. Hans]

Sure.

[Stella Hans]

You're still a little boy. You listen to everything Mama tells you. If Mama told you to go jump in the river, you jump.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

All right, Stella.

[Stella Hans]

Mama tells you Paul's an angel.

[Mrs. Hans]

So he's an angel, all right.

[Paul Hans]

Well, it's true.

[Sergeant Burns]

I'm sorry, Captain.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

That's all right. But instead of arguing over what the truth is, I think we'd all do better for him if we pay a little more attention to the future. The boy needs help. Whether he's guilty or not, he's been suspected, been questioned by detectives that might have some detrimental effect in itself. The job is to see that he's headed in the right direction and stays headed that way.

[Sergeant Burns]

That's what I meant, Captain. That's why I wanted you to talk to him.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Exactly.

[Paul Hans]

Oh, sure.

[Sergeant Burns]

Paul.

[Mrs. Hans]

No, it's not Paul. Me.

[Sergeant Burns]

Well, where's Paul? Ma?

[Mrs. Hans]

I didn't tell him to come. He's home.

[Sergeant Burns]

But the captain made a special trip to talk to him. This is Captain Kennelli, Ma.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

His hands.

[Mrs. Hans]

How do you do? There's nothing to talk about, so I didn't tell him. Why should he talk to the captain if there's nothing to talk about?

[Stella Hans]

Something to talk about.

[Mrs. Hans]

All right, Dell. I'm ashamed of you. Ashamed your own brother in law. You know that Paul is a good boy. A very good boy. He goes to school every day. He goes to school and to church on Sunday. He's a good boy, but he would never do anything like that.

[Stella Hans]

Go ahead, convince yourself.

[Mrs. Hans]

I don't need to convince myself. I know my own sons. I know them better than anybody.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, there wouldn't be any harm in Speaking to him, Mrs. Hans.

[Mrs. Hans]

There's been plenty of harm already. Take a nice boy like that to the police station to. To ask him all kinds of questions. To make a criminal out of him.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

No one can make a criminal out of him, Mrs. Hans. He's gonna do that himself.

[Mrs. Hans]

A good boy like that. You know what it is, don't you? It's the neighborhood. No matter how good a boy he is, if he grows up in this neighborhood, he hasn't got a chance. You don't give him a chance.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I wouldn't say that, Mr. Hans. Look at Ralph. He grew up in exactly the same place. He seems to have turned out okay.

[Chaplain]

Very little is written or said about one of the most important members of our armed forces. But he's accustomed to to doing his work without fanfare or publicity. That's because he has a very personal relationship with the men around him. He's their chaplain. He hears their problems and gives them advice. He joins a couple in marriage, christens their children, gives them religious counsel. His job doesn't begin with revelry and end the taps. It's a 24 hour job. When he's needed by the sick or wounded or imprisoned. No matter what his fate may have been before he joined the Chaplain's Corps, he's prepared to help men of any faith in their religious activities. To him come the most personal thoughts of the many serves for religion is Always a personal thing. The problems are many times more complex than he would find in a civilian community. But he finds his reward in seeing those problems solved. The emergency furlough he's been able to arrange for a man with illness in the family. The private talk that helped a new recruit with a touch of homesickness. The words of encouragement and advice to a man in trouble. These are important to the people he serves. They are the things that make the chaplain an important part of life in the armed forces.

[Narrator]

Now back to 21st Precinct and Captain Frank Canelli.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

After a few more minutes of discussion, Mrs. Hans was finally convinced by her older son, Ralph, that no harm could possibly come from my speaking to Paul. And that the conversation might do a lot of good. We left Ralph and his wife in the shop, and Ms. Hans reluctantly led the way out of the store to a building down the block, the house in which she resided. We walked up three floors to the flat she occupied with Paul.

[Mrs. Hans]

Someday. Someday, if my sons ever become successful enough. Maybe I'll live in a house with an elevator someday.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, I hope so.

[Mrs. Hans]

A nice kitchen with a brand new icebox. He's in the kitchen with his homework. You'll see. He's doing his homework. He don't wait until the last minute late at night to do it. As soon as he comes from school. That's a good boy, isn't it? If he's prompt with his homework, well,

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

it's a good sign. You'll let me talk to him alone, Ms. Hans? I. I think that would be best.

[Mrs. Hans]

Oh, yeah, sure. I got some ironing in the bedroom to do.

[Paul Hans]

Fine.

[Mrs. Hans]

Got my keys someplace?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yeah, here it is.

[Mrs. Hans]

Paul.

[Paul Hans]

Yeah, Ma?

[Mrs. Hans]

You see?

[Sergeant Burns]

Homework.

[Mrs. Hans]

Come in, Captain.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Thank you.

[Mrs. Hans]

Did you take an apple, Paul? Some apples under the sink there.

[Paul Hans]

No, I wasn't hungry, Ma.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Hello, Paul.

[Mrs. Hans]

Paul, this is Captain Kennelly from the police station.

[Paul Hans]

How do you do?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

How are you, Paul?

[Mrs. Hans]

Your brother was over there and talked to the captain today, you know, about what happened last night. They decided it would be nice if Captain Kennelly came and talked to you.

[Paul Hans]

About what?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh, just about you, Paul.

[Sergeant Burns]

In general.

[Paul Hans]

Oh, sure, if you want. There's some coffee on the stove, Ma. Maybe Captain Kennedy would like a cup.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

No, thanks. Not now. It's Kenelli.

[Paul Hans]

Oh, I'm sorry.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

That's all right. A lot of people make mistakes.

[Mrs. Hans]

Are you sure no coffee, Captain? We're just fresh this afternoon.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

No, no, thank you.

[Mrs. Hans]

Well, I. I got to do some ironing in the bedroom.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

All right, Ma, you can talk.

[Paul Hans]

Oh, Paul, Yes, Ma.

[Mrs. Hans]

If the captain changes his mind about the coffee, you'll pour him up all right?

[Sergeant Burns]

Sure.

[Mrs. Hans]

There's milk in the ice.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Sit down, Paul. Yes, sir. What's that you're doing?

[Paul Hans]

Solid geometry.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

You good at it?

[Paul Hans]

Yes, sir, pretty good.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

How about the rest of your subjects?

[Paul Hans]

Pretty good.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Are your grades good enough so you can go on to college?

[Paul Hans]

I'd like to, but I don't know. Ralph has got a lot of responsibilities now. I really should go to work after I finish high school and help out a little bit.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Ralph told me you said you wanted to be a cop.

[Paul Hans]

Yes, sir. I thought about.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Takes a long time to get in the job, and a lot up here.

[Sergeant Burns]

I know.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Also, you've got to have a clean record.

[Paul Hans]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

That's the first thing. Without that, nothing else does you any good.

[Mrs. Hans]

What happened last night won't show up

[Paul Hans]

against me, will it? They just took me down to the police station and talked to me. I didn't know anything about breaking into any stores or anything like that.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

No, no, that won't count against you. There have got to be convictions.

[Paul Hans]

Ah. Would you like an apple, Captain?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

No, thank you, Paul.

[Paul Hans]

I think I'm ready for one myself now.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

All right, go ahead. I tell Marsh you ought to keep

[Paul Hans]

him in the icebox. She's been keeping him under the sink for years. I guess it's hard to change habits.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

It is?

[Paul Hans]

Yes. You sure, Captain? No apple.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Positive.

[Paul Hans]

Still no coffee either?

[Sergeant Burns]

No.

[Paul Hans]

Only take a second.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

No, I. I don't care for any thanks.

[Paul Hans]

Okay. Really good.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

As a matter of fact, a conviction wouldn't only hurt you as far as getting on the cops is concerned. It make it kind of rough for you all around.

[Paul Hans]

Yes, I know.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Of course, there's case after case of boys getting in trouble and straightening themselves out afterwards.

[Paul Hans]

And a lot of them never get straightened at her.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

That's right. Never one jam after another all their lives.

[Paul Hans]

I really didn't break in any place like that detective said.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, that's not why I'm here, Paul. Right now it doesn't make much difference whether you did or not. We can't help what's happened.

[Sergeant Burns]

I guess we can.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

But what happens in the future is entirely a different story.

[Paul Hans]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

You know, a kid breaks in someplace or mugs somebody for the thrill of it or to get a little money out of it. He's a loser. It just doesn't pay. Believe me, I've been in this job a long time. I've seen more kids than I could count sitting just like you're. Sitting right now. Nothing's free, Paul. You got to pay for everything. And the hardest way to pay for it is with years out of your life. You can't earn them back. They're gone. Yes, sir. Oh, I know what you're thinking right now. This guy's giving me a lecture.

[Paul Hans]

No, sir, I'm not thinking that.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, I am. I hate to give lectures and I hate to receive them. But this is one instance where it's called for.

[Paul Hans]

I didn't break you into any place.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

My word of honor. I told you that was beside the point. Yes, sir. The point is what's going to happen from now on?

[Paul Hans]

You got my word, Captain.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Your word for what?

[Paul Hans]

I'm never gonna get mixed up in anything like that. Good. You don't have to tell me it doesn't pay. I know it.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I'm glad you do, Paul.

[Paul Hans]

It's a sucker deal. I want to make something of myself.

[Mrs. Hans]

I want to get on the cops

[Paul Hans]

or something like that. I want to get married like everybody else, like Ralph, and have a family. You can't do that messing around with that other.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Okay, Paul. I think you understand what I was driving at.

[Paul Hans]

Yes, sir, I do. And I really appreciate you coming over to talk to me like this. I know you didn't have to. When my brother asked you. You could have said, nuts. What do I care for the kid? You could have said it. Well, I want to tell you something. If more cops would come around to kids houses and sit in the kitchen like this and talk, there'd be a lot less trouble you'd have with, what do you call it? Juvenile delinquency.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I thoroughly agree with you, Paul. That's why I'm here.

[Paul Hans]

The only thing is, I don't go for getting picked up in a candy store by a detective and taken into the station house like I was last night. He sat down in a chair and tossed a lot of questions and then not being believed when I tell the truth.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

You weren't mistreated in any way, were you?

[Paul Hans]

No. Unless you want to call being arrested in front of all your friends. Me and Mr. Maybe it. Maybe it is. Well, I'll tell you the truth. I was getting mad up there last night. What's the use?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I thought, why go through this for nothing?

[Paul Hans]

If you're gonna get the business like this, it might as well be for something. Okay. If they think you break into flats and stores and they won't believe anything else, go ahead. Break into flats and stores. That's what I was thinking.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

But you're not thinking that way anymore.

[Paul Hans]

Oh, no, sir. Thanks to you.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Good. But don't blame the detectives. They've got their job to do.

[Paul Hans]

Yes, they have. How about that cup of coffee now, Captain?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

All right. I think I will, Paul. Good.

[Paul Hans]

You take milk in it?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

No, just black. It's good and hot. Well, that's the way I like it.

[Paul Hans]

Whoa.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

That's enough sugar, Captain, please. Ah, there's none in the bowl. I'll ask my ma. Oh, that's all right.

[Sergeant Burns]

Ma.

[Mrs. Hans]

Yes, Paul?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Where's the sugar?

[Mrs. Hans]

I'll come in and get it.

[Paul Hans]

Okay.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

You didn't have to bother your mother. I like it this way, too.

[Paul Hans]

She doesn't mind, I'm sure.

[Mrs. Hans]

There's no sugar in the bowl.

[Paul Hans]

No, Ma, it's empty.

[Mrs. Hans]

There's a five pound bag in the closet, Paul.

[Sergeant Burns]

Over here.

[Paul Hans]

In this closet?

[Mrs. Hans]

That's right. You see it?

[Paul Hans]

Yeah, I see it. My, yeah.

[Mrs. Hans]

He's a good boy, Captain. I've got a good boy.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I think he'll turn out that way, Ms. Hance. A good boy. It was 5:15 when I returned to the station house. I signed the blotter and went into my office to read and sign reports and communications that had accumulated during the tour. At six o' clock I changed from my uniform to civilian clothes and walked down into the muster room.

[Sergeant Burns]

Oh, Captain, you got to talk to the Hans kid.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yes. I spent about a half an hour with him at his house.

[Sergeant Burns]

What do you think?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I think he might turn out all right.

[Sergeant Burns]

Do you, Captain?

[Paul Hans]

Yeah.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

He's an intelligent kid. Told me he wants to do the right thing. Seems to know the direction he's headed in.

[Sergeant Burns]

Yes, sir, that's the trouble. He knows, but we don't.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I left Cassidy and went over behind the desk and signed the blotter to go off the job. It had started to snow as I walked to the subway. By the time I got off the train near my home in Queens, the streets were already covered. It continued to snow all night and by morning, 6 inches of it was on the ground. I was due back on the job at 4pm the next afternoon. But because of the weather, I started out a little early. I got into the station house at 3:25 and walked toward the desk to sign the blotter.

[Sergeant Burns]

Hello, Captain.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Burns]

What's doing? Oh, it's a quiet tour.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Good. Except for the weather outside the block.

[Sergeant Burns]

21st briefing, Sergeant Burns. Hello. Is Captain Kennelly there?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh, he's busy right now.

[Sergeant Burns]

Who's this calling, please?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

This is Ralph Hans. Ralph Who? Hans.

[Sergeant Burns]

H, A, N, T, S. He knows me. I was there yesterday. He was to my shop. It's very important.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I'll be in my office, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Burns]

Hold on a second, please.

[Paul Hans]

Captain. Yeah?

[Sergeant Burns]

Mr. Ralph Hantz on the phone for you. He says he knows you.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh, yes, I'll take it on the extension here.

[Sergeant Burns]

Yes, sir. Hold on, Mr. Hance. Captain Kennelly will talk to you. All right. Go ahead. Captain.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

My first precinct.

[Paul Hans]

Captain Kennelly, Ralph Hance.

[Sergeant Burns]

Captain. I'm glad I caught you in.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh, what's the trouble, Ralph?

[Sergeant Burns]

Don't you know? I thought maybe you could give me some help.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, I just now came in. What's the trouble?

[Sergeant Burns]

Well, I was out on a service call. My wife says my mother came in the shop all excited. A detective was at the house and went through poor things. The detective told her another detective went to the school to get him.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Why?

[Sergeant Burns]

I don't know. That's why I'm calling. My wife said my mother ran out and went to the police station. I don't know what happened. I. I thought everything was all right.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

So did I.

[Sergeant Burns]

Can I find out something?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

As soon as I do, Ralph, you call me back or come over here.

[Sergeant Burns]

Did you see my mother there?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

No, I told you, I just got in. You call me back, Ralph.

[Sergeant Burns]

Yeah.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

All right, Captain. In about a half an hour.

[Sergeant Burns]

Bye.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Is Cassidy upstairs, Sergeant?

[Sergeant Burns]

Yes, sir. I saw him go up about 20, 25 minutes ago.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

He had a kid with him. Oh, 16, 17 years old. Good looking kid. Blonde.

[Sergeant Burns]

Yes, sir. Shall I ring upstairs for Cassidy?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

No, I go up myself.

[Sergeant Burns]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I'm going upstairs to the detective's. Red.

[Paul Hans]

Yes,

[Mrs. Hans]

Captain.

[Paul Hans]

Huh?

[Mrs. Hans]

They took part. They got him up there up in the detective.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

All right, Ms. Hans.

[Mrs. Hans]

You said it was all right.

[Paul Hans]

You said it was a good boy.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I'm going up to find out about it now.

[Mrs. Hans]

Please, Captain, tell them. He's a good boy.

[Stella Hans]

He is.

[Mrs. Hans]

He did nothing.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Now, look, Ms. Hans, there's nothing you can do here now. You better go on home.

[Mrs. Hans]

Yes, that's what the detectives told me. But there must be something. There must.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

You better go on home. I spoke to Ralph and he's going to call me back.

[Mrs. Hans]

Oh, my poor boy.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

When he does, I'll tell him everything I can find out. Now, you better go on home.

[Mrs. Hans]

You tell Ralph. You tell us.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I will.

[Paul Hans]

Yes?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Hello, Captain. Hi, Novak. Cassidy. Hello, Captain. You got Paul Hansen here, huh?

[Sergeant Burns]

Yes, sir. He's sitting in the lieutenant's office.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Lieutenant King with him?

[Sergeant Burns]

No, sir. I'm waiting for him to get Back to.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

What's the trouble?

[Sergeant Burns]

There was a candy store broken into on Second Avenue last night. They took about $40 in cash, two boxes of cigars and left it a

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

postage stamp machine off the counter.

[Sergeant Burns]

Yeah, we got some information on it this afternoon and picked up one boy. He admitted being in on the Dale. He said Paul Hans was with him. We went over to Paul's house this afternoon, found the stamp machine under his bed. I sent down and got him out of school. In addition to this, he now admits burglarizing the florists in three flats in.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I want to talk to him.

[Chaplain]

Yes, sir.

[Sergeant Burns]

Help yourself, Captain.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, Paul, looks like we wasted a lot of time yesterday, huh?

[Paul Hans]

Yes, sir. I guess we did.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

You're in it up to here now, Paul. I don't know what the cure is. Do you?

[Paul Hans]

Look, I know I've been greasing you along.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

You and my mother and my brother and even me.

[Paul Hans]

But I made a mistake, that's all. I made a mistake and I'm sorry.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

So did I, Paul. I made a mistake too.

[Sergeant Burns]

21st Precinct. Sergeant Burns.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Who shot.

[Sergeant Burns]

But where is this. Wait just a minute.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Don't talk so fast. That's 3422, is that right?

[Sergeant Burns]

Yeah.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

An arrester who shot him.

[Sergeant Burns]

Oh, yeah? Yeah.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, who are you?

[Sergeant Burns]

All right, now just take it easy. Calm down. Now talk slowly. All right?

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All right.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

And so it goes around the clock through the week. Every day, every year. A police precinct in the city of New York is a flesh and blood merry go round. Anyone can catch the brass ring, or the brass ring can catch anyone.

[Narrator]

21st Precinct. A factual account of the way the police work in the world's largest city is presented with the official cooperation of the Patrolman's Benevolent association, an organization of more than 20,000 members of the police Department, City of New York. Everett Sloan in the role of Captain Kennelly. Featured in tonight's cast were Eileen Palmer, Briana Rayburn, Wendell Holmes, Joe DeSantis, Santa Sotega and Martin Newman. Written and directed by Stanley Nist Produced by John Ives. Art Hannas speaking.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

This is the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.

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