Although originated as an opportunity for police officers and teenagers to practice improvisation, the evolution of Police-Teen Link has provided all sorts of artistic experiences. Below are a collection of creative writings from the Police-Teen Link ensemble.

Do you have a story? Send it to us at staff@livebaittheater.org.


Late Night Pizza
By Commander George Rosebrock

It was 200 PM on a Wednesday, an ordinary day except for the fact that it was 'change day'. I will explain what 'change day' is later, but suffice it to say that it was two hours before the end of my tour. I was a relatively new sergeant working in a district that was just becoming familiar to me, driving around and enjoying the day. That enjoyment was shattered by a call from two veteran officers, to meet them at the hospital.

Read More >


My Life
Michael Rivera, teen

One time I was on my way to school and I see a crowd of people running away from the bus stop. It seems two guys walked up to this kid and just started shooting him in the head.

Read More >


My Life
Edarra Johnson, teen

My father left when I was six and since then I guess we’ve moved every two years. There are seven of us. Half of us are from one Dad, half from another. The way I’ve been brought up, is there is always someone looking out for me.

Read More >


The Desk
Officer Tom McNamara

3rd watch at the 24th District desk is not a favorite position. The whole desk crew that was here is now working at some other district. And like the other officers in the district, I prefer to work outside. Outside got more adrenaline, more autonomy, less bosses. But by some fluke, through no fault of my own, I was put on the desk.

Read More >


They Drop Things
Officer Tim O'Brien

I was working the projects one night, I get a 10-1, officer down. When a call like that goes out, most guys take risks to get there fast. Sometimes when you get four squads all converging at the same intersection, it’s kind of scary. I get there before the ambulance and see this officer on all fours like this, his face covered in blood.

Read More >


I Bruise Easily
Sgt. Stacy Kraft

When they told me I had pneumonia I thought no problem, stay in the hospital for a day, get some antibiotics and leave. As the medicine flowed into my body I thought I was finally going to be well again, after being sick for ten months. I lay there in the emergency room of one of the finest hospitals in the country, surrounded by curtains blocking off faces of doom, despair or grief.

Read More >