DECOYS (TV)
Summary
This documentary, hosted by George Kennedy, follows three New York City street crime unit squads as they apprehend petty criminals by using decoys. In each case, one undercover police officer, who is backed up by two or more partners, poses as a helpless citizen who can easily be mugged. Kennedy opens the program by giving background information on the nature and frequency of crime in New York City. Then, undercover Officers John OÕReilly and Brian Smith, from the third squad, post themselves near Times Square. OÕReilly poses as a battered and disoriented older man, while Smith and the other officers in the surrounding area watch him. Hidden cameras tape the sting as a man is caught in the act of stealing OÕReillyÕs wallet. Officers Smith and OÕReilly then comment on the dangers and fears involved in being a "decoy cop," and several local people give their opinions on the effectiveness of undercover police officers. The issue of entrapment is also discussed, after which a group of teenage girls is shown robbing OÕReilly. Undercover Officer Terry Braga, from the fifth squad in Queens, lounges on the street at Hillside and 161st Street, backed up by two partners in a car nearby. Through a hidden walkie-talkie, the backup officers use elaborate lingo to inform Braga of all the passersby near him. Eventually, Braga is robbed by a group of young people, who are later arrested by his partners. Next, George Kennedy notes that single women are targeted most often, and several victims of violent muggings give accounts of their experiences. At the police academy, members of the street crime unit give a presentation to different community groups. One of the presenters is decoy Rita Kaplowitz. She and her partners Jimmy OÕBrien and Lee Callier are shown in various disguises, walking the area near Thirty-fourth Street, and they comment on the challenges and the rewards of their jobs. Then, a hidden camera captures people attempting to rob Kaplowitz. The team from the fifth squad is presented again, but the officers change positions so that Officer Jay Salpeter is the decoy and Officer Braga is the backup. First, Salpeter poses unsuccessfully as a vulnerable drug addict. He changes his disguise and poses as an old woman, but he is recognized as an undercover officer by a passerby. Eventually, one man approaches Salpeter, but it is unclear whether the suspect intends to commit a crime or be a Good Samaritan. After going to the memorial service of one slain undercover officer, Braga, OÕReilly, and Smith discuss the shortcomings of the criminal justice system and the relative ineffectiveness of the street crime unit. George Kennedy then provides information on the fate of the petty criminals who were arrested during this program.
Details
- NETWORK: HBO
- DATE: January 27, 1982 Wednesday 7:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:52:27
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T82:0710
- GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: Crime and criminals - New York City; Police
- SERIES RUN: HBO - TV, 1982
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- John Cosgrove … Executive Producer, Writer
- Michael Scott … Producer
- George Kennedy … Host
- Brian Smith
- Rita Kaplowitz
- Jay Salpeter
- John O'Reilly
- Terry Braga
- Jimmy O'Brien
- Lee Callier