Unit 99 57-09-27 (06) Family Disturbance

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Unit 99 57-09-27 (06) Family Disturbance
Original Air Date: September 27, 1957
Podcast Release Date: September 14, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio (Featuring authentic recordings with commentary)

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Overview of the Episode

This classic episode of Unit 99 immerses listeners in real police work with the Sacramento Police Department during the 1950s. Led by Sergeant Dan Meredith, the episode features a sequence of live, on-the-scene encounters, including a tense family disturbance, juvenile mischief involving knives, and a manhunt for a repeat burglary suspect. The program’s intent is to provide an authentic look into police operations and the complexities officers face on routine calls.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Responding to a Family Disturbance

• [02:13] Officers respond to a family disturbance complaint on 3rd Avenue. These calls are often unpredictable.
• [02:33]–[07:03]
  • Discovery: Officers, with help from a neighbor, enter a residence where a woman is found bruised and hysterical.
  • Gas Leak Risk: Officers note the smell of gas, raising the urgency.
  • Interview: The woman is incoherent, possibly intoxicated or affected by medication. An empty sleeping tablet package raises concerns about a potential overdose.
  • Outcome: Despite evidence of assault, the woman refuses to file charges against her husband. Officers coordinate care through a neighbor, with no further police action.
  • Notable moment: The challenge police face when victims decline to pursue charges, despite evidence:
    • Quote:
      • Sergeant Meredith: "She's all bruised up her arms sure of that. Have you been fighting tonight with your husband?" ([05:04])
      • Narrator: "There was little the officers could do... she refused to sign a complaint and no official action was taken." ([07:12])

2. Juveniles Throwing Knives at a Building

• [07:43]–[11:13]
  • Incident: Officers respond to reports of juveniles throwing knives at a building on X Street.
  • Interview: They apprehend a 17-year-old with a large knife and question his involvement.
  • History: The juvenile admits prior trouble—“burglary and strong arm”—hinting at a troubled background.
  • Resolution: The youth is released to his parents, who are to bring him for a follow-up with the Juvenile Division. Parents also agree to cover property damages.
  • Notable moment:
    • Quote:
      • Sergeant Meredith: “That wasn’t an innocent toy this boy was playing with, and it wasn’t exactly a childish pastime.” ([11:13])

3. Manhunt for a Serial Burglar

• [11:36]–[23:04]
  • Background: The detectives, Fox and Oaks, have been tracking a group responsible for multiple burglaries (primarily “cigarettes and meat and candy burgers”).
  • Stakeout: They attempt to catch the third suspect, moving between known addresses in a dark, rural area.
  • Challenges: The suspect evades initial attempts, possibly alerted by the presence of officers.
  • Arrest: Eventually, after surveilling multiple locations and moving stealthily, officers locate the suspect hiding under a cot and apprehend him.
  • Notable quotes:
    • Detective Fox describes the suspect: “He’s an old timer around here. He’s a good burglar. He’s been in the penitentiary on several occasions.” ([15:39])
    • Sergeant Meredith emphasizes police procedure: “Everyone is presumed to be dangerous. When you pick him up. We treat him as such, Sergeant, because he is a loser. He’s on life parole now and he certainly doesn’t want to go back.” ([15:39])
  • Conclusion: Patience and caution pay off. The suspect is eventually released to a neighboring county for prosecution.

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• "As a rule these calls don't amount to much, but you never can tell."

  • Sergeant Meredith on family disturbance calls ([02:13])

• "There was little the officers could do in this case other than to make sure she had not taken an overdose of a sedative and enlist the services of a neighbor in caring for her."

  • Narrator/Commentator reflecting on the limitations of police intervention during domestic incidents ([07:12])

• "That wasn't an innocent toy this boy was playing with, and it wasn't exactly a childish pastime."

  • Narrator on the seriousness of teens playing with knives ([11:13])

• "He's a good burglar. He's been in the penitentiary on several occasions… He’s con wise and he’s a pretty shrewd operator."

  • Detective Fox on a known repeat offender ([15:39])

• "Everyone is presumed to be dangerous. When you pick him up. We treat him as such, Sergeant, because he is a loser. He's on life parole now and he certainly doesn't want to go back."

  • Detective Fox on police caution during arrests ([15:39])

• “For a police detective, I sometimes believe that patience is a major qualification.”

  • Narrator summarizing the challenges of police work ([23:04])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:13] – Beginning of family disturbance call
• [04:10] – Officers discover gas and the injured woman
• [07:12] – Case resolution (domestic disturbance)
• [07:43] – Start of juvenile knife incident
• [11:13] – Juvenile released to parents
• [11:36] – Burglary case introduction
• [15:39] – Detectives discuss suspect background and approach
• [22:19] – Suspect apprehended
• [23:04] – Reflection on the duration and demands of police investigations

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Episode Tone & Style

The language is spare, direct, and procedural, characteristic of police communication and Golden Age radio drama. Despite the brevity, the show captures both the tension and routine of police work, balancing seriousness with moments of dry, observational commentary from both officers and narrator.

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Conclusion

This episode of Unit 99 offers an engaging, unvarnished glimpse into real-life police work from 1950s Sacramento. Through unscripted interactions, listeners witness both the limits and the resolve of law enforcement in domestic, juvenile, and criminal cases. It’s a testament to the enduring complexities, dangers, and ethical challenges police have always faced on the beat.

Transcript

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[Officer Fox]

KMA 907. Sacramento Police Unit 99, are you in the clear?

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

Unit 99 to KMA 907. Unit 99. Sergeant Meredith, 909 in service on the air. This is Sergeant Dan Meredith of Unit 99 at Headquarters Police Department, City of Sacramento, California. My detail is to ride in Unit 99 our tape recorder equipped radio car and to respond whenever the dispatcher transmits a signal to one of our other units on duty somewhere in the city. Now to tell you More about Unit 99, here is our chief, James V. Hicks, Sacramento Police.

[Narrator/Commentator]

We have provided Unit 99 of the Sacramento Police Department the tape recorder it carries and the officer in charge, Sergeant Meredith, so that you who depend on your police for protection can hear them in action on duty. And what you hear on this radio program is real. No question about it. The suspects are real, the victims are real. Bear this in mind as you hear these cases. Now to unit 99 and Sergeant Dan Meredith on duty.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

We're covering in with unit 5 on a family disturbance complaint out on 3rd Avenue. As a rule these calls don't amount to much, but you never can tell.

[Narrator/Commentator]

So we'll take a look at it.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

Units here and there's lady outside. Let's check.

[Officer Fox]

These people live next door. They both are gone. He's. He's gone. He's left in the car. He left earlier in the evening I guess. But she's been screaming her head off for him over there and I heard her falling. Is she laying in the kitchen?

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

Yes ma'. Am. She's in the kitchenette. On the floor, evidently.

[Officer Fox]

Well, you guys go ahead and get in.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

Her moaning in there crying. Let's go check with her. Is your partner in there? Setting. You went around the back to see if the back door is open? No, we tried the front door. No one answered. Crap. A woman's home by herself. Get through this way. Dan. We're gonna have to go in through a window. Yeah. She sounds like she's having trouble right now. Can you open this gate here? There's an awful lot of thumping going on inside there. Sounds like she's hysteric, though. Crying. She walked, let you in? No, he doesn't respond. Dan. Hello in there. You're pretty serious. Lights are on. Yeah, I can see her. Looks like a leg or something there. Through the window in the kitchen there. The kitchenette. In the kitchen here. Next to the porch. Over to the right, the middle of the house. You got the window open. Open the back door too, when you get in. Yeah. How's it look? Shs. The bedrooms are.

[Narrator/Commentator]

Campbell.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

Smell gas in here. Where is she? Right here. Oh, yes, lady.

[Narrator/Commentator]

For police officers.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

What's the matter here?

[Narrator/Commentator]

What happened here tonight?

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

Can you talk?

[Narrator/Commentator]

Can you tell us what happened?

[Officer Fox]

Yes.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

What seems to be the trouble? We're here to help you, ma'.

[Officer Fox]

Am.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

You want to tell us now what happened?

[Officer Fox]

Yes.

[Narrator/Commentator]

Well, what is it? Have you been drinking?

[Officer Fox]

No worries.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

Where is your husband now?

[Narrator/Commentator]

I'll look around and see if.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

I don't think there's anyone else in the house. No, I don't believe. She's all bruised up her arms sure of that. Have you been fighting tonight with your husband?

[Officer Fox]

Yes.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

Wonder how many of these she took.

[Narrator/Commentator]

Here's an empty package with sleeping tablets.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

Dan, have you been taking any tablets tonight? Sleeping tablets?

[Officer Fox]

I've taken some. Taken?

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

I can't understand you. Did you take quite a few tonight? Have you? No. Where's your husband? Has he been here this evening at all? How long will he live? Let's get back to these tablets, these pills. This container is empty. Have you taken any of these tonight? No. What are they for? Who's that? I see. Sutton, I don't think we can get much honor. She's told us about these pills. She evidently hasn't taken any tonight or she would tell us. Oh, here she is now. She's trying to get up. Here, let us help you there. Let's take her into bed there. She's shaking quite a bit. That's a girl. Right through here. Right into your bedroom now. That's it. Watch Your step. You just lay down in the light. How about these other pills here? I see there's some others on the same side there. Bureau here. We'll have to find somebody to take care of her. She's no condition to take care of herself. I'm going to check with a next door neighbor. Maybe she might have some idea. I'll go and check now. So I need to check my neighbor and see if she can give us some idea. Okay, Sutton, we'll wait for you.

[Officer Fox]

I won't take too many. Please leave me. I won't take too many.

[Narrator/Commentator]

There was little the officers could do in this case other than to make sure she had not taken an overdose of a sedative and enlist the services of a neighbor in caring for her. Although this woman had been beaten by her husband, she refused to sign a complaint and no official action was taken. Unit 3, 614 x x Ray. Check on juveniles throwing knives at a building.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

Check three KMA 907 juveniles throwing knives at buildings. 600 block on X Street. That's near that housing project. Let's check it out with them. There's some young fellow out in the yard here. Let's have a talk with. Hey, come here, William. Hurry up.

[Narrator/Commentator]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

What do you got in your hand there? Is this one of them?

[Officer Fox]

That's one of them.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

Would you just take a run for when we came up.

[Officer Fox]

Maybe they would put that car there, huh?

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

How old are you?

[Juvenile Suspect]

Seventeen.

[Officer Fox]

No, it's not.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

The other night. Where's the other boy at? What are you doing around here? I live right over here. Where's the knife that you've been thrown against these walls?

[Juvenile Suspect]

The other guy took my blade home.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

Huh?

[Juvenile Suspect]

The other guy took it home.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

Took it home. Well, how long have you been doing this? This has been going on for quite some time.

[Juvenile Suspect]

We just. We just. I just got the dagger a few days ago.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

A dagger? Yeah. What kind of a dagger? Not so long, about a inch dagger.

[Juvenile Suspect]

I don't know how long it was.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

Well, you go get that dagger. Jerry's checking the door to the warehouse there. The quonset hut, is it? Jimmy? Jerry? What's that? How about that paneling there on the door? Is that knocked out this kid, this. Here he comes now. I think this is he. Yeah, he's going over after the knife that they were using here. Where'd they throw it? On the left. Well, the other kid left. Oh. So we'll find out who the other boy is. It's quite a dagger. He said it's large Long. There he got it. He has it in his hand now. Here it is.

[Juvenile Suspect]

I just met him in a park. Throwing knives together.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

And.

[Juvenile Suspect]

Oh, about five o'. Clock.

[Narrator/Commentator]

Five o'?

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

Clock? That's a deer knife. It's about a six or seven inch blade. Where did you get this? Pardon me? Where did you get this?

[Juvenile Suspect]

I borrowed from some guy. He found it in the river.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

You found it in the river?

[Juvenile Suspect]

That's what he said. Found it by the river. I borrowed it from him. I didn't get back.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

Where did you just get it, huh?

[Juvenile Suspect]

I just. I had it for a couple of days.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

Where did you just come from?

[Juvenile Suspect]

Well, I just came. I was running around looking for the guy and he went that way.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

Now, come on, tell us the truth. Who is the boy that you went and got this knife from just now? You told me you were going over to get it from him. Now, where is he?

[Juvenile Suspect]

I don't know his name.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

Where does he live?

[Juvenile Suspect]

I told him I just met him in the park.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

You went over to his place right now to get the knife?

[Narrator/Commentator]

I ran after him.

[Juvenile Suspect]

I caught him down that Runway, right? That big, long Runway. I told him he had to give me the knife back. Gave it to me, and he kept.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

Going to walk out. You ever been in juvenile hall before? Yeah. For what?

[Juvenile Suspect]

First time burglary and strong arm in car out there three times.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

Well, I think we'll turn him over to his parents and have his parents bring him down. See Captain Gessner Monday morning.

[Narrator/Commentator]

That wasn't an innocent toy this boy was playing with, and it wasn't exactly a childish pastime. He was released to the custody of his parents pending further action by the Juvenile Division. The parents agreed to pay for the damage to the building.

[Officer Fox]

Unit 99.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

99, go ahead.

[Officer Fox]

Nine two four, second floor.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

99, second floor. Roger. The Detective Division's been working on a series of burglaries. And Bill Oaks told me they might pick up somebody tonight. That call for us to come in might be it. We're going into the Detector division. Fox and Oaks. I was just checking with the radio sergeant down there, and he informs me that you might have something. What's it about? Oh, we got. We got some information on four or five fellows that's been pulling a lot of burglaries around here. Mainly the cigarettes and meat and candy burgers, we've been calling them. And we have a spot maintained right now by two of the other officers, Detective Rellis and Rogers. They're out on the spot now waiting for one of the Fellows to come back. We have one of the fellows upstairs we brought in while just a few minutes ago. We're going out now over to Bryant to see if we can pick up the third man. You have a lead on the third man? We have a lead on the third man. We have an address over in Bright. We're going to check. You want to take a ride with us over there? Oh, yeah. Should we hit Q Street or we go back over to Bright? Well, he lived in Brightwood already for a while. Maybe we better take a run over there and see if we can make a contact there. And if he's there, grab him. If he's not, we'll go back over to the Q Street address. Is this the spot? Okay. The man that we're in search of was living here at this 520 address. And I see there's no lights in that particular house. But we're going to next door and inquire whether or not she still lives there. We can see from here? Yes. Okay, I'll wait for you. I wonder what that is. They just received a transmission to get in touch with their office immediately. It's very dark in this area. It's an old district on the other side of the river. They've gone into the yard and into the next house. They're talking with a couple of people there. Now they're back to the car. Where'd you learn? Fox. I haven't seen him since Tuesday. He was over here Tuesday.

[Narrator/Commentator]

You got a 9 14, Bill.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

There's possibly a call from the officers on spot over there at the place in town. Very likely they've got the one man we're looking for. And the man that we're looking for here may possibly have gone over there as we had expected. There's a public telephone right off the highway. You're gonna make contact with the office. Do you have the price of a phone call? This is expensive, this strip. Let's see if I have some. Here's one, Doc. I out shuffled you that time. I've got two of them.

[Narrator/Commentator]

By golly.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

You got another lead on this fella at a different location? Yes, in the same way. Bright here. And so we're going over there and surround the building. Folks, do you know this fella from before? Yes, Sergeant. He's an old timer around here. He's a good burglar. He's been in the penitentiary on several occasions. He's just out about a month. A short time ago he contacted Fox and myself and was seemed to be serious about we trying to get him a job, which we attempted to do, and we lost track of him. And we haven't seen him until the last week. We've gotten a few rumbles on he and several other fellows responsible for some of our burglaries. So we know him well. He's an old con. He's con wise and he's a pretty shrewd operator. What were those boots and shoes that you brought into the detective bureau tonight? Out of and out of town burglary. We're not just too sure what community. It's a small rural community. When we arrive there, Don, we'll look the place over and if it's possible, I'll sneak into the backyard and cover the back door in case he tries to make the back on us. Take the front. Is this fella dangerous or presumed to be? Everyone is presumed to be dangerous. When you pick him up. We treat him as such, Sergeant, because he is a loser. He's on life parole now and he certainly doesn't want to go back. We've arrived at the location. We're going to park a distance away from the place and walk over to it. It's very dark out here. No street lights. A lot of trees. Houses are surrounded by trees. Somebody coming out of that house now. I better get in out of the way. Oaks is going around the back. Fox is covered in the front. Somebody out in front of the place now. He's talking to someone now. We'll go in the yard. You seen a fellow walking around here today? No, I haven't seen anywhere around here. There's a tall hedge alongside of the house. Oakes and Fox now are shining their flashlights on the other side of the hedge away from the house. They believe that he might have gotten over and gotten away. There's a good indication that he's been here. There's Oaks and Fox now going. Come on out. There's an animal still searching around this area. It's large lot, almost a field. Trees, bushes. Did you check over in the corner over there? But Don, we're going to leave this area now. Sergeant, be the man was at the house. He apparently saw us drive up when he took off. You going to come back later on this evening? Yes, we just returned to the area. We're now on the opposite side of the block where we can see the house through the field. Fox and Oaks are going back around front. Cover the house front and rear and we'll walk down and I'll go immediately into the back area and cover that, huh? We're traveling with our lights off. Detective Oaks has the portable spotlight. He, as he said, is going to cover the back area, while Fox and myself will take the front. We're parking some distance from the house and we'll walk up to it. Don't slam the door. Get around. Get around my back. We'll stand on the side in case he comes out through a window. I think Oaks is inside now, John. Let's go in. Come on. Hurry up. Come on. Get out from under that bed. He's underneath the cot. Keep your hands down. Pull him out from underneath the bed. Think you're trying to pull. I know. That's it. Put the cuffs out here on people this time. What are you running for? You got nothing to worry about. We tried to treat you like a. And all the way through. All right. What's this guy here? Who? Who is he? This guy here. You were here this evening when we came by the first time, weren't you, sir? Don't give us that stuff. We know you were gonna live. I know you left. When we were here. Where did you. Which way did you leave the house?

[Narrator/Commentator]

It wasn't in the house. It was down the street.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

Thing. Were you in this house when we was over here before?

[Officer Fox]

No, sir.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

Huh. No, sir. That's a good thing. Otherwise he would go to jail, too, for covering you up.

[Narrator/Commentator]

So he wasn't here.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

See how you get everybody involved?

[Narrator/Commentator]

I wasn't here then.

[Officer Fox]

No. Cause he wasn't. You could have come. You could. You could have.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

Oh, yeah. When we were over here before, I.

[Narrator/Commentator]

Was down next street about two blocks.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

You sure you weren't here?

[Officer Fox]

Yes, that's right. And that's my kids. They know he wasn't here.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

You see, you were down there a couple of blocks. Where'd you go? You went down to the levee. How long did you stay down there? Oh, yeah, about an hour. Well, it's a good thing that he clears these people here.

[Officer Fox]

No, he wasn't here.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

That's all we want to know. I'm going to take the names of these people. Donald. Yeah. Okay. I'll take this. All right.

[Narrator/Commentator]

For a police detective, I sometimes believe that patience is a major qualification. The action you covered tonight actually extended over a period of several hours. The Burger suspect was released to a neighboring county for prosecution there. And if you are ever inclined to believe that police work is not hazardous, remember the words of Detective Oaks. We consider them all dangerous. This is unit 99. These on the scene tape recordings were provided by the Sacramento Police Department and were made on duty by Sergeant Dan Meredith in unit 99. Your host is Chief James V. Hicks of the Sacramento Police Department. Be with us when once again you.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

Will hear.

[Officer Fox]

KMA 907, Sacramento Police, unit 99. Are you in the clear?

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

Unit 99 to KMA 907. Unit 99. Sergeant Meredith, 909.

[Narrator/Commentator]

Unit 99 has come to you through the worldwide facilities of the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.

[Sergeant Dan Meredith]

SA.