The Purple Gang

Joan MacNamara: [after she sees Harley backhand a boy, grabs Harley's arm] He's just a boy! I'm from the welfare department.

[shows her badge]

Police Lt. William P. Harley: [to the desk sergeant] Book him, book all of 'em.

[he starts to walks away]

Joan MacNamara: Now wait a minute.

[she grabs his arm, turns him towards her]

Joan MacNamara: Some of these young men are- are underage!

Police Lt. William P. Harley: They're not young men, miss, they're hoodlums.

Joan MacNamara: There is a law in this state that says no juvenile can be locked up with an adult criminal.

Police Lt. William P. Harley: I know the law, miss. I've already got a special tank prepared just for them. Does that satisfy you?

Joan MacNamara: [with attitude] No. The whole system is wrong. Those boys should not be locked up at all. You see, what youth needs now days is a little psychological adjustment.

Police Lt. William P. Harley: [interrupts, moves closer] They're three-syllable words, lady. How do you expect a policeman to understand them?

[walks away]