21st Precinct 55-08-06 (096) The Summons

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – 21st Precinct 55-08-06 (096) "The Summons"
Released: February 27, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Classic Golden Age Radio – Police Procedural Drama

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Overview: Main Theme and Purpose

This episode of 21st Precinct explores the everyday realities of police work in 1950s New York City. The story, “The Summons,” takes listeners inside a police precinct’s responses to intimate family disputes, illustrating the complexities of law enforcement, domestic violence, and community policing. The drama unfolds as officers facilitate the service of a court summons resulting from an alleged assault within a family, highlighting both the limitations of police authority and the personal turmoil in private households.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Routine of Police Work

• Setting the Scene: The day begins at the 21st Precinct with Captain Frank Kennelly briefing his officers about the day's priorities: fire hydrant misuse, a recent assault on a city worker, and issues with unlicensed vegetable peddlers ([00:06]–[04:51]).
• Quote: "21st Precinct. It’s just lines on a map... Most...wouldn’t know. If you ask them if they lived or worked in the 21st, whether they know it or not, the security of their homes...is the job of the men of the 21st Precinct." – Captain Kennelly ([00:40])

2. Introduction of the Main Case

• Martha Romsey’s Complaint: An older woman, Martha Romsey, arrives claiming her son-in-law, Charles McKelton, punched her. She is angry the police can’t simply arrest him, expressing frustration about the system ([04:53]–[05:45]).
• Police Explanation: The officer patiently explains the law: police can’t arrest someone for a misdemeanor unless they witness it themselves; a summons must be obtained ([05:14]–[05:39]).
• Quote: "You weren’t told the police officer would make the arrest, but I can see..." – Desk Sergeant ([05:33])

3. Family Dynamics and Escalation

• Mother and Daughter: Tense relationships emerge as Martha discusses her daughter Rosalie’s marriage and their household’s dysfunction ([06:02]–[07:29]).
• Quote: "He treats her like dirt under his feet. And he treats me worse." – Martha Romsey ([06:04])
• Rosalie’s Fear: Reluctance and anxiety from the daughter; Martha dominates the exchange, accusing Charles of being physically dangerous ([08:31]–[09:08]).

4. Legal Procedures and Police Role Clarified

• Narrative Explanation: The show’s narrator details why police can’t intervene more aggressively due to New York State law—the need for personal observation, and the legal process for serving a summons ([11:00]–[12:40]).
• Quote: “If a police officer…made a summary arrest…without being a witness…the city might be liable to civil action…The procedure, therefore, is to suggest…he secure a summons.” – Narrator ([11:40])

5. The Service of the Summons

• Service at the Scene: Martha, accompanied by a patrolman, travels with Rosalie to serve the summons on Charles. Suspense and hostility increase, with Martha fearing further violence ([12:43]–[15:09]).
• Officer's Calm: The assigned officer maintains peace and directs Martha on how to proceed.
• Quote: "That's what I'm here for, to prevent something like that." – Patrolman ([15:01])

6. The Dramatic Confrontation

• Charles’s Outburst: When confronted, Charles refuses Rosalie her possessions, becomes belligerent, and starts throwing belongings out the window onto the street ([17:01]–[20:52]).
• Chaos on the Street: The police respond to preserve public order, keeping bystanders out of harm’s way.
• Memorable Exchange:
  • Martha: "Won’t even give you our thing. How do you like that? Wait till I get in..."
  • Officer: “You serve him with the summons. He has to.” ([17:54])

7. Police Backup and Crisis De-escalation

• Signal 32: When Charles's behavior escalates, the officer calls for backup (signal 32). Captain Kennelly and other officers arrive to defuse the escalating scene ([20:52]–[22:38]).
• Quote: "All right, pull up in there, Coley. Give him a hand with the crowd, will you?" – Captain Kennelly ([22:18])

8. Aftermath and Moral Reflection

• Family Fallout: The confrontation ends with Charles exhausted, admitting that, despite his anger, he feels emotionally relieved after the chaotic episode ([23:53]–[25:55]).
• Final Reflections: The episode closes with the precinct returning to routine calls, emphasizing the ceaseless nature of police work and the moral ambiguities officers face.
• Quote: "She tried to break us up before we were married… All right, she’s done it. I had it with her, believe me. I guess they had it with you, too… I got a lot off my chest and a lot out the window." – Charles McKelton ([23:57])
• Quote: "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 ([26:13])

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On limitations of police authority:
  “A police officer may not make a summary arrest for a misdemeanor...unless the act is committed in his presence...These provisions...are designed to protect the rights of the individual.” – Narrator ([11:20])

• On the emotional strain of family conflict:
  “She gets me so mad. So mad. Who? Your wife, her mother. I couldn’t...I had it with her, believe me. I guess they had it with you, too.” – Charles McKelton ([23:54])

• On catharsis and regret:
  "That's some way to let off steam, you know, just throw everything right out the window. Did you ever try that?... And if she’d come up here right now, I’d do it, cops or no cops. That’s how good I’d be." – Charles ([25:07])

• The recurring exhaustion of the precinct:
  "And so it goes around the clock, through the week. Every day, every year. A police precinct…is a flesh and blood merry-go-round." – Narrator ([26:12])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:06]–[04:51] – Morning briefing and day-to-day business at 21st Precinct.
• [04:53]–[06:45] – Martha Romsey arrives to report her assault and seek redress.
• [07:21]–[09:10] – Tension between Martha and Rosalie; decision to serve the summons.
• [11:00]–[12:40] – Legal context: rules for misdemeanor arrests.
• [12:43]–[15:09] – On the way to serve Charles with the summons; family discord on the sidewalk.
• [17:01]–[20:52] – Confrontation with Charles, escalation, property destruction.
• [20:52]–[23:53] – Police response, crowd control, final confrontation.
• [23:53]–[25:55] – Aftermath: emotional responses, final family dynamics.
• [26:01]–[26:13] – Closing reflection on the precinct’s endless cycle.

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Summary Table: Cast and Characters

| Character | Actor | Role | |--------------------------|------------------|-----------------------------------| | Captain Kennelly | Everett Sloan | Precinct Captain / Narrator | | Sergeant Waters | Harold Stone | Desk Sergeant | | Lieutenant King | Ken Lynch | Detective Squad Commander | | Martha Romsey | Susan Douglas | Mother-in-law, complainant | | Rosalie McKelton | Abby Lewis | Daughter | | Charles McKelton | Undisclosed | Son-in-law, accused | | Patrolman Vaccaro | Undisclosed | On-scene police officer |

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Final Takeaways

• Realism and Restraint: The episode illustrates the limitations placed on police by the law, emphasizing civil process over summary justice—highlighted by the frustration of complainants.
• Domestic Discord: The narrative delivers a raw look at family dysfunction, from conflicting loyalties to a sense of inescapable chaos.
• Policing as Process: The 21st Precinct is shown not as a place of simple answers, but as a perpetual machine handling a myriad of complex social problems, often with no easy resolutions.

A powerful snapshot of mid-century American law enforcement, family dynamics, and the challenges of keeping the peace—one summons at a time.

Transcript

[A]

Whiteflight briefing. Sergeant Waters? Yeah, that's right. What's the trouble over there? Calling. What? Who's doing that? Well, who told you to call? Are the policeman. There you are by transcription 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. All right. Tell the officer I'll send someone around there right away. Yeah, you tell them right away. 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 ask them, if they lived or worked in the 21st, whether they know it or not, the security of their homes, their persons and their property is the job of the men of the 21st Precinct. The 21st. 160 patrolmen, 11 sergeants and four lieutenants, of whom I'm the boss. My name is Kelly. Frank Kennelly. I'm captain in command of the 21st. I was working my day tour, 8am to 6pm I came into the station house at 7:25 and walked around the desk to sign the blotter. Then I went into my office to change the uniform. A few minutes before 8, I went out into the muster room and behind the desk where Lt. Snyder, who had been desk officer on the 12 to 8 was talking to Lt. Gorman, who would be on the job for the day tour. Sergeant Waters, who would have telephone switchboard duty, was relieving his counterpart, Sergeant Collins, in the back room. The men already in uniform were being inspected by the oncoming patrol sergeant. Promptly at 8am Lieutenant Gorman rang a bell which sounded in the back room. The platoon, consisting of 58 men who would patrol the precinct for the next eight hours was brought to attention by the sergeant and marched out into the muster room. They halted in front of the desk, faced right, dressed their ranks. As the roll was being called, I looked up and down the ranks from behind the desk. Three of the five men transferred to the pre think in the last few days were in this. I pay enough special attention to that. All right, man. Not much this morning. It's going to be another hot day. I want to remind you of the order still in effect concerning the unauthorized use of fire hydrants for shower baths in the streets. Keep the kids away from them. Also, there was an occurrence in the 17th Precinct yesterday, which involved an assault on the driver of a Department of Sanitation tow truck. He was attacked by the owner of a motor vehicle while in the process of hauling away an illegally parked automobile. When this work is being done in the precinct, I want the patrolman on post present. Unless there is more urgent duty elsewhere. And we've had complaints about vegetable peddlers in the 70s again. If you see any of these men, examine their licenses. They don't have a license. Issue a summons. All right, post the platoon. Platoon, attend. Jump left Ford box. Oh, Lieutenant. Yes, sir. I see you got post seven and nine doubled up. Yes, sir. Egan has a case in court. What time do you think you'll be back on the job? Before noon, I hope, Captain. Who's over there? Pagano, Captain. You know, things have been pretty rough at the playground over there the last couple of days. You better let Pagano handle 7 and double up 8 and 9. Yes, sir. I'll switch it around as soon as I make the first train. Well, we still got that strike at the print shop over there. That's on eight. Don't you have someone on a fixer at the strike? No, sir, not today. They said it was pretty quiet yesterday. Only one or two pickets. No trouble. Pick up the man. Outpost it, Hadley. Well, double up 6 and 9 instead of 8 and 9. That'll be all right, won't it? Oh, is there any hot coffee back there? Yes, I think so. Sergeant. Is there any hot coffee? Yes, or a whole pot.

[B]

Well, I got it.

[A]

You got what, lady?

[B]

You told me if I went and got a summons, you'd arrest him. I told you when I was in here yesterday afternoon, I spoke to you, and you told me if I went to the court and got her summons, you'd arrest him.

[A]

Ladies, I wasn't here yesterday. I've been out for two days.

[B]

Well, somebody told me somebody sitting right where you're sitting now.

[A]

Whoever it was didn't tell you the day to rescue.

[B]

Oh, yes, they did. They said if I went to court and got a summons, they send a police container rescued.

[A]

Nah. You know, you weren't told that at all. You were told that if you went and got a summons, a police officer would be sent with you when you served it. If you were afraid you were in physical danger.

[B]

That's the case. Exactly. I'm afraid I'm in physical danger.

[A]

Yes, well, that's a little bit different. You weren't told the police officer would make the arrest, but I can see

[B]

it's the same thing.

[A]

Not as far As I can see. Can I see that summons, please?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

What are the police for anyway, if not to help somebody when they're in physical danger like this?

[A]

You're Martha Romsey?

[B]

Yes, I'm Martha romsey.

[A]

Who's Charles McKelton?

[B]

He's, I suppose, son in law.

[A]

Why did you have a summons issued for him?

[B]

Because he fixed me, that's why.

[A]

Your daughter is the wife of Ms. Charles McKeldin?

[B]

Well, they went through a wedding ceremony, if that's what you mean. But he doesn't treat her like any wife. He treats her like dirt under his feet. And he treats me worse.

[A]

Where did this happen? Where did he hit you?

[B]

He took his fist and he doubled it up and he hit me right across the face.

[A]

No, no, I mean where? At what place?

[B]

At home, in the living room.

[A]

And who else was that?

[B]

14. Him. Rosalie? That's my daughter. She read down to 14 Street Shopping, see where he homes. He just doubled up his fist and hit me without the slightest provocation. Then I said I wouldn't spend another night under that roof. And he said, God. He went over, he opened the door and he said, go on if you're going. So I went. I went right downstairs and I looked for a policeman to arrest him. I didn't see a policeman. So I walked over here and this one or the other one told me to go to the court and get a summons. Then I went back and I waited outside for Rosalie to come home and we went to the court together. I screamed to the man down there and he said I was right. He said I was perfectly right.

[A]

You lived there with your daughter and son in law?

[B]

I did. I don't anymore.

[A]

Now, where did you stay last night?

[B]

At my other daughter's in Long Island City. After we went down and got the summons, I told Rosalie, I'm not going to spend another night under that roof. And I won't permit you to spend an overnight under that new city. I forbid it. So we went down to Long Island City, to my other campus.

[A]

Where is Rosalie now?

[B]

Right outside. I told her to wait outside and I'd get everything.

[A]

What does she say about all this?

[B]

What does she know? She's a baby.

[A]

But he's her husband.

[B]

He won't live along.

[A]

All right, you go outside and get her and bring her in here.

[B]

Why?

[A]

Just get her and bring her in.

[B]

All right. I don't see why.

[A]

Captain Sack of Division on a wire for you. All right, Put it on here. Yes, sir. I'm surprised he didn't Kill us, Captain. So am I on in first place in Captain Kennelly? Yeah, yeah. What time? All right, sure, I'll do that. Okay. There's a meeting at 2:00 of commanding officer of the division, right? Yes, sir. Who's desk officer on the floor to 12? Lieutenant Brian. Tonight, Captain. All right, you tell him when he comes in this afternoon. I'm sure I'll be back. But in case I'm not heat to handle the turnout. Yes.

[B]

Well, here she is. This is my daughter Rosalie.

[A]

How do you do?

[B]

Hello.

[A]

Do you believe that if your mother went to serve this summons on your husband, he'd attack her physically?

[B]

Well, he did, yes. And you don't know about the times I didn't tell you about Rosalie. He'd get violent. Violent? Whenever you were out of the house. He's capable of murder, that man. Plain unadulterated murder. I wouldn't say that. Oh, how long would it take you to get over being blind? As far as he is concerned, I guess he wouldn't try to hit her again.

[A]

All right, Red. Have the patrolman accompany her when she says the summons. Essence. I'll be in my office. Essence. 694 East 78th Street.

[B]

Yes, that's right.

[A]

Those door fronts, sergeant. Yes, sir. What time is the vicarage? Ring 38. All right, policeman on post over there. We'll ring in at 8:38. I'll tell them you're on the way over and you'll meet him. How about on the corner there in front of the cleaners?

[B]

All right. What's the policeman going to do? I mean, is he gonna arrest Charles or something? Are you sure that you ask him.

[A]

He's just gonna be there while your mother serves the summons to see that everything is done peacefully.

[B]

Oh, all right. Well, come on, Rosalie. The police will be in front of the cleaners.

[A]

Yes, about a quarter to nine.

[B]

All right, thank you very much,

[A]

Sergeant. Yeah, Lieutenant. I want to talk about Carol when he rings in. Yes, sir. Would you say she's a typical all American mother in law? I hope not. 21st piercing, sagging waters? Yes, sir, I think so. Just a second, Captain. Lieutenant, have you got a couple of UF16 memo pads out here? Yeah. Lieutenant Scott's a mere captain. All right. Yes, sir, right away. He wants me to bring in a couple of fans. It's top girls at the cabinet. Okay, Where? Right there. Oh, yeah. I'll be right back. All right, Captain. Come in. Yes? Here you are, Captain. Oh, thanks. Yes. Is he sending somebody to stand by while she serves the summons. Yes, sir. The carol. Okay. I don't know why. Captain doesn't look like she needs any protection. Well, it's a good idea anyway. Maybe he does. You are listening to 21st Precinct. A factual account of the way police work in the world's largest city. Except in a few specifically defined instances, under the laws of the state of New York, a police officer may not make a summary arrest for a misdemeanor or issue a summons for an offense unless the act of violation of the law is committed in his presence. Similar statutes prevail in most states. These provisions of the law are specifically designed to protect the rights of the individual. Often cause aggrieved complainants to believe that law enforcement officers are lax in their duty when they refuse to take action on a complaint and direct the individual to the magistrates courts in the city of New York or to the prosecuting attorney or a justice of the peace in other localities. The fact is, if a police officer in the city of New York made a summary arrest in such a case without being a witness to the crime or offense, both he and the city might be liable to civil action for damages brought by the arrested party. Pop up. Procedure, therefore, is to suggest to the offended party that he secure a summons. Once the summons is procured, a police officer will be sent along on request of the complainant to preserve the peace while the summons is being served. In the instance at hand, the complainant, Mrs. Martha Ramsey, and her daughter, Mrs. Rosalie McKelton, walked to the corner where it had been arranged for the patrolman on post, Paul Faque, to meet them. He was waiting at the designated spot.

[B]

Well, here we are.

[A]

Are you Mrs. Lumsey?

[B]

Yes, that's right. This is my daughter, Rosalie. Rosalie McKelsen.

[A]

Hello.

[B]

How do you do?

[A]

I understand you want to serve a summons.

[B]

Yes, that's right. Her husband. Her husband hit me and he cursed me. He made all sorts of threats at me, didn't he? Well, I don't know, Mother. I wasn't. You don't have my word. Of course he did. He's a potential killer. Believe me, he's a potential killer. I wouldn't stay under that roof another night. And I wouldn't let her stay under that roof. Oh, he could murder us in our street. Oh, Mother, please. Oh, don't Mother, please me.

[A]

Now, which house is it?

[B]

Oh, that one there. It's 94.

[A]

All right.

[B]

And you better be near me when I get in this. I don't want him to do anything. Oh, Mother, he wants to, but he did?

[A]

Are you sure he's home?

[B]

I think he is. I wouldn't be surprised if he's out running around with some woman. You know, when the cat's away. He's not running around. He never did. Oh, shouldn't he? Well, if I told you all the things I've heard.

[A]

This is it, huh?

[B]

Yes. Now, listen, Rosalie, I want you to stay down here. I think I ought to go up and talk to him. No, you better stay down here. But he's probably been worried about me, Mother. Worried? I bet he went out and did the town last night. I bet he was in and out of every bar in the neighborhood. Oh, Mother. I said don't bother me. I think I ought to go up.

[A]

Well, if you take my advice, I'd stay down here if I were you. There's no sense causing too much of a discussion up there.

[B]

Dad, you see what the officer says. Rosalie, you wait right here. But I have to get some of my clothes. I don't have a thing except what I got on. Do you think I'm any better off? Stay here, Rosalie. I'll get out again. All right. Enjoy the officer say right there, Rosalie. All right, Mother.

[A]

What floor is it?

[B]

Third floor in the front.

[A]

I've got it.

[B]

Oh, thank you.

[A]

Are you gonna ring the bell?

[B]

That is ready. Simon say not. You go right up there and let's come what may.

[A]

Yeah, would have been a good idea. Save you a trip upstairs. If he isn't home, I'll go right

[B]

in there and get my feelings. Mine and my daughter's.

[A]

You have a key?

[B]

Yes, I have a key. You don't think I'd live there without having a key, do you? Supposing he attacks me again?

[A]

He won't attack you.

[B]

You don't know. I'm hoping to make a positive decision.

[A]

That's what I'm here for, to prevent something like that.

[B]

Well, just make sure you forget. It's that one.

[A]

What's his name again?

[B]

Charles.

[A]

I mean his last name.

[B]

Ms. Helton Child. McKelton.

[A]

All right. You better knock on the door.

[B]

Aren't you supposed to do anything?

[A]

Knock on the door.

[B]

There.

[A]

I suggest you keep the summons where you can give it to him.

[B]

I've got it. You don't have to tell me how to run my business. What's he doing in there? I'll bet he saw her coming out the window.

[A]

No, there's somebody. Oh, it's you.

[B]

Yes, it's me.

[A]

Where's my wife?

[B]

She's not coming back here. I'll Say that she's not coming back here, only over my dead body.

[A]

Don't tempt me. Where is she? Oh, all right. Now, look, take it easy. Where's my wife?

[B]

You see, this is. Officer, he's threatening me again. Do you see that?

[A]

He's not threatening you. You came up here to serve a summons. Now give it to him.

[B]

Here. Yes, take it. There.

[A]

What's this for?

[B]

You read it. You'll see what it's for. It's for hitting me, that's what it's for.

[A]

All right, folks, it'll get settled in court.

[B]

You get hit.

[A]

All right, we'll get it settled in court. Where's my wife?

[B]

Well, if you must know, she's downstairs waiting for.

[A]

Well, I want to see her. Now, look, Mr. McKelton, I want to avoid trouble around here.

[B]

She don't want to see you.

[A]

You told her that, huh? I. I'm going down. I think you ought to get back inside, Mr. McKelton. Yeah, I guess maybe you're right. She's been filling her ears for 24 hours.

[B]

Wait a minute. We bought our things.

[A]

What things?

[B]

Our clothes and the furniture that belongs to us. Everything like that.

[A]

You tell Rosalie to come up here and get them. I'll give them to her.

[B]

Well, you see? You see?

[A]

Yeah, I see.

[B]

Carl, you open this door.

[A]

Come on, Mrs. Ronse.

[B]

Wait till I get my key. I want to open the door.

[A]

I'd invite you to stay out of there.

[B]

You would, would you? Boys, I don't want to take your advice.

[A]

I think you'd better.

[B]

I am going to get our things.

[A]

You'll have to see your lawyer about that. Now, come on.

[B]

Are you trying to tell me I can't go into my own home in the first place?

[A]

It seems to be his home. And I'm not trying to tell you anything. I'm just trying to avoid trouble. You better come downstairs.

[B]

Well, I thought the idea was for you to be here to protect me.

[A]

I'm supposed to protect everyone.

[B]

All I want is our clothes and things.

[A]

You'll get them.

[B]

Will you tell him? How? Would you please tell me that?

[A]

That's going to be up to you. You'll get what belongs to you.

[B]

Well, I should think so. You see what I mean about him? How she could have married him in the first place. I'll never listen. Actually, I didn't warn her. I warned her. I warned her pretty, believe me.

[A]

I'll bet you did.

[B]

Won't even give you our thing. How do you like that? Wait till I get in. In that Corner. I'll show that one. He has to come, don't he?

[A]

You serve him with the summons. He has to.

[B]

You want to know something he won't Go ahead. I wouldn't put it past him to defy the law. I'd be just like him, shirking his responsibilities. Just like him. Father. Father. Was he up there? Of course he was up there. I served in the Southern. How is he? He all right? Didn't ask him. All I asked what was Our sins. He refused. Point blank. He refused.

[A]

Well, you don't need me anymore.

[B]

You do. I don't think I needed you in the first place, for all the hurt that you've been.

[A]

Yeah, well, now, look.

[B]

Charles, get back inside the window. Get back inside before you fall out. Rosie, come on up there.

[A]

Rosalie, listen, you put on. Lean out that far.

[B]

No, don't bother. Let go of me. Don't you dare. Rosary. Don't you dare go up there. That's what he did to me. Don't shoot that. Come on up. What up? Who do you owe your lawyers to? Just think. Who raised you and who gave you. Just think, Rosalie.

[A]

Just barking.

[B]

Mother, please. I've got to go on. Rosalie, I'll never talk to you again. I'll hurt you out of my life, I swear it. Oh, Mother, I swear it. I swear it all my life out my mouth.

[A]

Look, folks, you can't go yelling on the street.

[B]

Come on up here. I can. Charles. I can't. I'll listen to her. I, too. Trouble. That's our trouble. Folks, tell him to have your things ready. You'll send someone for them this afternoon. Oh, Mother, tell him.

[A]

Now, look, you're going to have to break this up. Hey, get back inside there.

[B]

Tell him, Rosalie. Charles, I'm sorry. I can't come up. Tell him about our things. I just want you to have our things ready. I'm going to change someone. This afternoon he went inside.

[A]

I guess he's talking to you all he wants to. Folks. Now you'll have to move on.

[B]

There he is, the weather girl. Here. Here's your weird coat.

[A]

Don't throw that.

[B]

I. I told you not to throw that. Here's the lamp your mother gave us.

[A]

Oh, not up there.

[B]

Watch out. I'm warning you.

[A]

Stop throwing those things out the window. Get back, folks. Go on.

[B]

Now, see here, officer.

[A]

Hey, get back. He's aiming at you.

[B]

Oh, is it?

[A]

Get back. John.

[B]

John, please lock the television. Please. Watch out. John. Crazy. Crazy. Crazy.

[A]

Listen, lady, run down to that call box on the corner.

[B]

What call box?

[A]

That police telephone. Run down there and tell them to send some help.

[B]

Why don't you go?

[A]

I'm asking you to go now. Go.

[B]

No. No. All right, if you put it that way. Y. That's my favor. Don't do that. You people else walk up if I want. Say bye. It's ruining everything. Everything.

[A]

Well, you wanted your things, lady. You're getting them. Patrolman Vaccaro correctly decided to wait on the sidewalk until assistance arrived. If he went upstairs and attempted to gain entrance to the flat, a pedestrian might have been struck and injured by an object thrown out of the window. He kept the onlookers back off the sidewalk and tried to convince Charles McKelton to stop the destruction of his own property. In the meantime, the call for assistance reached the station house. Sergeant Waters on TS duty notified the Communications Bureau and a signal 32 assist a police officer was put out over the air. I had just gone out on patrol of the precinct in sector car number three with patrolman Coley as operator. We were within two blocks of the scene when the radio call came over and I instructed Coley to make the run. When we turned into the block, I noticed that Lieutenant Matt King, commander of the 21st Detective Squad, was in his car making the turn right behind him. All right, pull up in there, Coley. Give him a hand with the crowd, will you? All right, stay back there. I told you. All right, now do what the el. What have you done for Carol? I went up there while he served the summons and he's been throwing stuff out the window.

[B]

He's ruined everything. Everything.

[A]

Use the hand, Captain. Yeah, it looks that way, Matt. Hello, Lieutenant. Carol, Come on, let's go up. Yeah, he's got a key. All right. Good. You get it and come up after us. Yes, sir. Coley, handle things on the sidewalk. This one?

[B]

No, not the mirror, not the pillow. I just haven't.

[A]

Here. All right, let's go. Right with you, Cleverly. He's the ice box. Yeah, I got it. Third, fourth front, isn't it? Yeah. What is he, a psycho? His mother in law seems to serve a summons on him. Tony. She claims he hit her yesterday. With what? What is first? These things over on the ground floor. I can't remember. One man. All right, take it easy. That's it there. Can we knock and see what happens, Captain? I think Vaquero, who's coming with the key? Let's wait and try it. Maybe he doesn't have it bolted from the inside. Come on, Vacal. You got it? Yeah, I got it. All right, give it in. Yes, sir. I think we're all right. All right, come on.

[B]

What's that? Down.

[A]

Put it down.

[B]

If you want.

[A]

All right. All right, take it easy. I got it, captain. All right, sit down, Anna. Okay.

[B]

I'm all right.

[A]

I'm all right. I'm fine. We were beginning to wonder. She gets me so mad. So mad. Who? Your wife, her mother. I couldn't. All right, take it easy. She tried to break us up before we were married. She's tried to break us up ever since we were married. All right, she's done it. I had it with her, believe me. I guess they had it with you too. I don't care. Good. She got what she wanted. Okay, we're finished. Brother. It was fun while it lasted. I got a lot off my chest and a lot out the window. That's what I mean. How's your wife? You get out of here. I don't want to talk to you.

[B]

What you do, you go crazy?

[A]

You want to know the truth? Yeah, and I feel terrific about it. You want to send me to Bellevue? Good. I'll get a little peace.

[B]

You shouldn't have ruined all our things like this.

[A]

You shouldn't have walked out on me.

[B]

She told me you hit her.

[A]

That's a lie and you know it.

[B]

Well, she said you did.

[A]

I should have stopped listening to your mother and grow up and listen to your husband. Once in a while, things would have been all right. Oh, but, boy, I feel good. That's some way to let off steam, you know, just throw everything right out the window. Did you ever try that? No, I can't say I did. You know, Rosalie, if your mother was up here, I'd have thrown her out the window too. And if she'd come up here right now, I'd do it, cops or no. No cops. That's how good I'd be. All right, all right. Just settle down. I'm all right. I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me, Kent. Right out the window, Toy.

[B]

Well.

[A]

Rosalie.

[B]

Yes?

[A]

Where you going?

[B]

Downstairs.

[A]

No, no, you're my wife. You stay right here.

[B]

What about Mother?

[A]

What about her? Except that she's moving it right now.

[B]

Well, if she's moving, I. Get our things together, don't you think?

[A]

Yeah, get them together.

[B]

All right, honey. I will. I will. Right now.

[A]

Oh, boy, I feel like a million dollars. I should have been that a long time ago.

[B]

A long time ago.

[A]

Well, if you had, you'd be back home with your wife now. What do you mean? She's here? Yeah, she's here. But it looks as if you're going away for a while. 21st preaching, Sergeant Waters. What do you mean you were robbed? Somebody hold you up? Yeah. Yeah. Oh, broken in your flat? Well, how much is missing? Yeah, yeah. Are there any marks on the door where they got in? Yeah. Huh. What's the address there? 135 or 139. Yeah. 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. 21st Precinct transcribed 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. Ken lynch as Lieutenant King. Harold Stone as Sergeant Waters. Featured in tonight's cast were Susan Douglas, Abby Lewis, Santa Sotega, Mandel Kramer and Frank Campanella. Written and produced by Stanley Nist Art Hannah Steven.