Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: 21st Precinct 55-02-09 (083) "The Surety"
Date: February 27, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

Overview

This episode of "Harold’s Old Time Radio" features a full-length broadcast of the classic police procedural drama, 21st Precinct, originally aired on February 9, 1955. The show immerses listeners in a night at a busy New York police precinct, narrated by Captain Frank Kennelly, highlighting the personal and professional challenges officers experience while dealing with the public. The main focus of this episode is the arrest of Charles H. Lowfield, a well-to-do businessman, for disorderly conduct following a drunken dispute, and the subsequent process of setting his bail with the help of his secretary, Sandra Ehridge. At the same time, the precinct remains alert for armed robbery suspects tied to a getaway car.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Ongoing Police Work and Setting

• [01:26] The episode opens with vivid narration by Captain Kennelly, establishing the precinct's responsibilities and the busy nature of its night tour.
• Notable events in the district: a mugging, a car wreck, and an armed robbery at a bar and grill.
• Officers remain vigilant for a suspect car: a 1952 Chevrolet hardtop, two-tone green, Pennsylvania plates.

2. Incident with Charles Lowfield

• [03:18-07:40] Patrolman Farrell and Captain Kennelly encounter a cab with an intoxicated, disorderly man (Lowfield) who had tried to accost a woman during a ride through the park.
  • Cab driver paints a comic but world-weary picture:
    “Every time I drive around a tuxedo, I could smell trouble. He’s got some load on.” — Cab Driver [03:33]
  • After some resistance and brief scuffle, Lowfield is taken into custody.

3. Booking and Bail Process

• [09:03-12:16] At the station, Lowfield, sobered by arrest, pleads his case as a respectable businessman who simply "had a few drinks."
  • Captain Kennelly remains firm:
    “You caused a lot of people a lot of trouble. We were perfectly willing to help you and see that you got home all right.” — Kennelly [09:44]
  • Bail is set at $500; Lowfield doesn’t have the cash and requests calls to his lawyer, brother, and secretary.
  • Police protocol requires that desk officers, not prisoners, make these calls.

4. Contacting Lowfield’s Associates

• [15:13-17:19] Efforts to reach Lowfield’s lawyer are unsuccessful; his brother refuses to help:
  • “I told him last time I wouldn’t do it again... He better carry bail money in a shoe or someplace.” — Edward Lowfield, the brother [16:48]
• [18:50-20:10] The secretary, Sandra Ehridge, is contacted and promises to try to raise the bail, although she’s clearly surprised and flustered:
  • "Well, I don't have that much money. Will you tell him I'll try to get hold of his attorney?" — Sandra Ehridge [19:35]
  • Ultimately, she decides to find the money herself for Lowfield’s bail.

5. Parallel Investigation: Armed Robbery Alert

• [10:18, 11:42, 17:39] The precinct diligently relays an “alarm” for the suspect Chevrolet to all officers, tying their routine work with ongoing, more serious criminal investigations.
  • Lieutenant King and Captain Kennelly coordinate to disseminate information and alert officers at shift changes.

6. Bail Payment and Human Drama

• [21:42-25:35] Sandra Ehridge arrives at the station, having raised the $500 bail by borrowing from a friend.
  • Tension arises as Lowfield, still testy, is rude about waiting and demands she hurry up with paperwork.
  • Memorable exchange as Sandra stands up for herself:
    • “Mr. Lowfield, I like you very much, but you’re not going to talk to me like this... At least I’ll have my self respect. Good night, Mr. Lowfield.” — Sandra Ehridge [25:21-25:33]
  • Lowfield, now remorseful, pleads for reconciliation, but Sandra leaves, fed up with his attitude.

7. Police as Observers and Enforcers of Order

• [26:10] Captain Kennelly offers a closing reflection on the precinct’s constant activity—“a flesh and blood merry-go-round”—and the unpredictability of both police work and human nature.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Cab Driver on Trouble with Passengers:
  “Every time I drive around a tuxedo, I could smell trouble.” [03:33]
• Captain Kennelly on Responsibility:
  “You caused a lot of people a lot of trouble. We were perfectly willing to help you and see that you got home all right.” [09:44]
• Lowfield’s Brother on Bailing Him Out:
  “You can keep holding that drunken buff... He better carry bail money in a shoe or someplace. I’ve had enough.” — Edward Lowfield [16:42]
• Sandra Ehridge Asserts Herself:
  “I work for you, but I don’t have to listen to your abuse... At least I'll have my self respect. Good night, Mr. Lowfield.” [25:21-25:33]

Important Timestamps

• [01:26] — Captain Kennelly’s narration and overview of precinct activities and responsibilities.
• [03:18-07:40] — The cab incident, arrest, and initial booking of Charles H. Lowfield.
• [09:03-12:16] — Lowfield's attempt to avoid jail and the setting of bail.
• [15:13-17:19] — Unsuccessful calls to lawyer and brother.
• [18:50-20:10] — Secretary Sandra Ehridge is contacted and offers hope for bail.
• [21:42-25:35] — Sandra’s arrival with bail money and dramatic confrontation.
• [26:10] — Episode closes with Kennelly’s contemplative outro on the perpetual hum of precinct life.

Tone and Style

True to the radio drama format, the dialogue is a mix of procedural realism and lively character interaction. The police are depicted as professional but human, juggling civic duty with personal exasperation; civilians, meanwhile, reveal vulnerability and social nuance beneath their surface roles. The episode balances a wry tone (in exchanges between officers and the cab driver) with moments of genuine tension, drama, and even subtle class commentary.

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode encapsulates a single, eventful shift at a mid-century New York precinct: a drunken businessman’s arrest snowballs into both comedic and tense human drama as the police wrestle to both enforce order and navigate the quirks of those in their custody. Paralleling this, the pursuit of serious criminals continues in the background, underlining the unpredictability and hustle of a city precinct “merry-go-round.” Ultimately, the episode paints a captivating portrait of police work—routine and remarkable by turns—through authentic voices and timeless dilemmas.