Ep. 313 Today's Peep Presents Unit 99: The Forgotten Pioneer of True Crime Radio, Radio's First Ride-Along as heard on KFBK in the late 1950's

We explore the pioneering reality police radio show Unit 99 that aired on KFBK radio in Sacramento from 1957-1958, setting the template for all future police reality shows.• Unit 99 represented a groundbreaking innovation in radio programming, recording real police interactions with a tape recorder-equipped patrol car• KFBK radio, a heritage station celebrating over 100 years of broadcasting, created the show featuring real officers, real criminals, and real victims• The show's format predated "COPS" and all modern reality police programming by decades• Sergeant Dan Meredith served as the recording officer, accompanying patrol units on actual calls• Police Chief James V. Hicks hosted the program, emphasizing its authentic nature• The episode features two actual cases from December 1957: a domestic dispute and a window-smashing incident• Despite its short run (August 1957-June 1958), Unit 99 was picked up by Armed Forces Radio, expanding its influence globally• The program represents a fascinating time capsule of mid-century American policing methods and public attitudesListen to the full episode to hear actual recordings from this groundbreaking show that created an entire genre of entertainment.