GANG BUSTERS: The Crime Fighters of American Broadcasting

When Phillips H. Lord created Gang Busters in January of 1936, crime was so rampant that it was almost tolerated. Obedience to the laws and respect for law-enforcement agencies was at a low ebb. Criminals and their methods were highly publicized in glamourous episodes. Lord had just finished his G-Men series that dramatized FBI case files and wanted something with more action and appeal to radio listeners. He created Gang Busters. At first, Lord appeared on the program and interviewed guest police officials. Later, as his other radio programs demanded more attention, he turned the hosting chores over to West point graduate Colonel H. Norman Schwarzkopf. Years later, when the Colonel was recalled to active duty, Lewis J. Valentine, former Commissioner of Police for New York City took over. Before any case was presented to the radio audience, facts were checked and double-checked. The Chief from each bureau had to approve every fact in the report that originated from their office, before