*** HN PHOTOS *** “THE OLD GOOD COP, BAD COP” – YOUNG OFFICERS SIT DOWN WITH RUNAWAY, OFFER HIM A GATORADE
HYANNIS – [HN NOTES] – A family visiting from out-of-town were at a local fast-food restaurant when their 14-year-old son suddenly took off from them, at around 7pm this evening. The worried parents immediately called police. The runaway was reportedly a “high functioning” autistic child, and the worry was intensified by the fact it was beginning to get dark outside. Multiple Barnstable Police patrol officers quickly saturated the downtown area to assist.
The child was eventually located a number of blocks from where he initially ran from his parents. When HN took the above photo, several young patrolmen were seated with the upset child, outside of Flashback, the retro arcade and bar in the East End of Main Street.
The young cops were staying calm and being nice, offering to buy the young man a gatorade…
… but perhaps they were being a little too nice, as they were about to witness.
When the boy’s father arrived on scene, he told a Barnstable Police sergeant that the only way his son would cooperate and come along with him, was if one of the officers used a sterner approach.
The sergeant was up for the challenge. Putting on an act, he approached the child like one of those no-nonsense “bad cops” you see in the movies. Using a very serious voice and grim expression, the sergeant said something to the effect of, ‘Listen here, young man. You’re going to go with your dad and not give your parents any more trouble tonight! YOU HEAR?’
It worked! The young man immediately stood up and went along with his dad. The younger officers were left in awe at seeing their sergeant play the “bad cop.” (And he went “old school” bad cop, something that’s not done anymore…)
HN approached Sergeant Edward Cronin saying, “Hey sarge. You just reminded me of Dirty Harry! It gave me chills! I’m impressed!” And laughing, the other officers on scene continued to give their sergeant the business.
The child was safely reunited with mom and dad…
… and everyone lived happily ever after. (Well, at least for the immediate future…)
P.S. – Today’s Hytown Vignette is a brought to you by Marlena Shaw… [CLICK IT/CRANK IT!]
