Part 4: The Lockdown on Harbor Avenue
“Dispatch, this is Unit Alpha-One,” Caroline spoke into the line, her voice cool and authoritative. “Patch me through to the Internal Affairs Bureau Chief and the Central District Dispatch frequency immediately. Override priority code Red-One.”
Within three seconds, a sharp, double-tone chime echoed over every police radio within a five-mile radius, interrupting routine traffic and chatter across all channels.
“All units, stand by for an executive broadcast from Unit Alpha-One,” the dispatcher’s voice crackled through the speakers of the three cruisers parked on the curb.
Caroline pressed the radio key on her phone’s secure police application.
“This is Deputy Superintendent Caroline Mercer,” her voice boomed simultaneously from her phone and from the open windows of the three patrol cars on Harbor Avenue. “Every officer assigned to the Harbor Avenue corridor—specifically Units 412, 415, and 418—is ordered to hold their positions immediately. Do not turn off your engines, do not adjust your body cameras, and do not leave your vehicles.”
Briggs stood paralyzed in the middle of the street. The tow truck driver, realizing he had just participated in an extortion scheme directed at a top-ranking police official, threw his truck into reverse and tried to back down the alley.
“Tow vehicle, remain where you are,” Caroline announced over the open radio line, her eyes fixed on the operator. “Internal Affairs units and the State Attorney’s Integrity Task Force are en route to your location. Any attempt to flee will be prosecuted as felony obstruction and commercial racketeering.”
The tow truck slammed on its brakes, the engine dying instantly.
A few seconds later, the distant, rising wail of multiple sirens began to echo through the industrial corridor, coming fast from three different directions. Four unmarked black SUVs and six state trooper vehicles turned onto Harbor Avenue, their flashing red and blue lights cutting through the gray afternoon fog.
To see justice served and Luis Bennett cleared, continue reading below for the final part.
