The Wire Reddit

24-HOUR REPORT, or 24

Police report summarizing a major incident, prepared within the first 24 hours following the incident.

A-MATTER

Background or history of event/person/story being written about. In the pre-computer era of “hot-metal” typesetting, “A-matter” was often waiting in the composing room galley trays for a reporter to file the latest information for the top of the story.

A.M.E.

Assistant medical examiner.

APB

All points bulletin.

A.S.A.

Assistant state attorney, a city prosecutor.

AUSA

Assistant United States attorney, a federal prosecutor.

A TASTE

Slang term meaning a beer or drink or a hit of dope. fg drugs.

ATTRIBUTION

Identification of source in reported information, as in

B OF I

Bureau of Identification, the unit that produces mug shots and other criminal intelligence material.

B&E

Breaking and entering.

BABY BOOKING

Juvenile intake unit for offenders under the age of majority.

BASER

A person who cuts cocaine in preparation for distribution.

BAWLMER

How many locals pronounce Baltimore.

BENNIES

Benefits.

BLOW THE BOX

Answering a question during a polygraph test in a way that causes the needle to soar, indicating a falsehood.

BODYMORE, MURDERLAND

Slang terms for Baltimore, Maryland, illustrating its high murder rate.

BPI

Baltimore Police Index. The city police computer.

BUG

A concealed microphone. Not to be confused with The Bug, which is AIDS, or Michael Lee’s little brother, “Bug.”

BULK CARGO

Shipping term for cargo that is stored in bulk in a ship’s hold and does not utilize containers. At one time, almost all cargo was bulk

BUMP

Battle or fight.

BURNER

Pre-paid disposable cell phone.

BURNT

Cheated

BUST A CAP

To fire a weapon.

BUYOUT

Corporate purchase of the remainder of a worker’s employment, severing relationship with employee.

BYLINE

Name of reporter who wrote a newspaper story, appearing below the headline and before the text.

CI

Confidential informant.

CID

Criminal Investigation Division.

CAN

Slang term for a shipping container that can be detached from the chassis of a truck for loading onto a vessel, a railcar, or stacked in a container depot. Also known as a box.

CANVASS

Investigative interviews with residents and others in a particular geographic area.

CAP

Bullet

CARRY WATER

To perform a duty, often unpleasant, for someone who would normally do it for themselves. At times, the work of a flunky.

CAUGHT THE CASE

When a police detective is assigned to investigate a crime/case.

CENTER PIECE

Feature story, illustrated by at least one large photograph, in the center of the front page of a section of a newspaper. CHANNEL 3

CHECKERS

Dockworkers who take an actual count of the goods (number of boxes, drums, bundles, pipes, etc.) versus the amount listed on the ship’s manifest. Members of the longshoremen’s checkers local will also note shortages, overages, or damage.

CITYWIDE

The main radio band for city police. All felony calls and announcements are broadcast on citywide. CLEARANCE

CLOCKING

Dealing drugs.

CLUSTER-FUCK

A term of military origin used to describe a hopelessly screwed-up situation.

COLD PATCH TRUCK

City public works truck used to fix potholes.

CONTAINER

A truck trailer body that can be detached from the chassis for loading onto a vessel, a railcar, or stacked in a container depot. Also known as a can or box.

CONTRIB LINE

Short for contribution line, which lists writers who contributed material to the work of another reporter.

COOK THE BOOKS

To falsify information, usually statistics. Synonymous with “juke the stats.”

CREW MEMBER

Someone belonging to a drug organization.

CUR

A dog who turns his head in a fight.

CUT HOUSE

Where a drug crew dilutes and packages product.

D WARD

Hospital detox.

DEU

Drug Enforcement Unit. The district-level drug squads in the nine Baltimore police districts. The Western DEU, for example, is the drug unit in the Western District.

DNR

Dialed-number recorder used to intercept the telephone numbers called from a phone and, if the caller ID is installed, to record incoming numbers. A preliminary step to any wiretap.

DSS

Department of Social Services.

DAP

Handshake between known associates that usually involves both hands being closed in a fist and then hit together, either knuckle to knuckle or bottom of hand to the top of the other person’s hand.

DEPUTY OPS

The deputy commissioner of operations, the No. 2 man in the Baltimore police department, under the commissioner.

DETAIL

Team of law enforcement personnel assigned to a specific case.

DISTRICT

A police precinct in Baltimore. There are nine

DROP A DIME

To snitch on someone, to give up information to authorities.

DROPPED

Slang for someone being shot.

DUNKER

An easily solved case.

DUTY JUDGE

The judge on duty after hours, who can sign search or arrest warrants for detectives after court is closed.

DUTY OFFICER

The night commander for the police commander, appointed on a rotating schedule from the ranking commanders.

DWI

Driving While Intoxicated.

ECU

Evidence Control Unit.

ENFORCER

A gunman for a drug crew

EXHAUSTION

Investigative term. A legal requirement that the police prove that they have “exhausted” all other investigative strategies in a case, so that they are justified in requesting electronic intercepts.

EYEFUCK

A dirty look.

FIEND

Drug addict.

FIN

Five-dollar bill.

FIVE-O

An ancient slang term for police.

FLEX SQUAD

An extra squad of district plainclothesmen that can be used to target particular high-crime areas tactically.

FLIP

To cooperate with authorities and give evidence against criminal associates or superiors.

FLOATER

Dead body found in water.

GELCAP

A single dose of heroin, packaged in a pharmaceutical gelcap.

GLOCK

A make of semi-automatic weapon used by Baltimore police.

GO TO GROUND

When someone in flight stops running from police and hides.

G-PACK

One thousand vials of cocaine, prepackaged for sale.

GUMP

Nerd and/or wimp, from the movie Forrest Gump.

H-FILES

Homicide files.

HAND-TO-HAND

When an undercover narcotics officer buys drugs directly from a suspect.

HER-RON

Heroin.

HOMES

Term of affection. Homeboy may be grossly clichéd, but its abbreviated version is occasionally offered.

HOME FINAL

Final edition of paper delivered to residential subscribers.

HOOPTIE

Street slang for a knocked-around vehicle.

HOPPERS

Young kids, juveniles.

HOT BOX

A shipping container that is supposed to be off-loaded from a ship directly to a truck, rather than stored on the docks.

HOURS

Time working on a job or assignment.

HOUSECAT

Slang police term for an officer who works in the office, rather than on the street.

HUMBLE

An arrest based on weak or nonexistent evidence, such as disorderly conduct or loitering, used by street officers to humble an argumentative or provocative civilian.

I. I. D.

Internal Investigations Division. Investigates possible crimes/ infractions involving police personnel.

IBS

The Wire’s fictional union, the International Brotherhood of Stevedores. IN STIR

IN THE WIND

Missing, lost, running from the law.

INDEPENDENCE CARD

State of Maryland “Electronic Benefits Transfer” (EBT). A debit card uploaded with food stamps and/or cash.

JOHN BLAZE

A fire, wild, strong.

JOHN DOE

Police investigation term used to describe an unidentified male dead body. An unidentified female is a Jane Doe.

JUVENILE INTAKE

Where juvenile criminals are taken after arrest to be processed for detention.

KGA

Code for the dispatcher on police radio calls.

KEL-LITE

A two-foot-long, metal-encased flashlight that can be used as a nightstick.

KEY

Kilogram of drugs.

LATENTS

Fingerprints found as evidence.

LAKE TROUT

Baltimore term for fried, breaded white fish, served on plain white bread with tartar sauce and hot sauce.

LAY IN THE CUT

To hide from a situation, not get involved.

LIZARD

Lesbian.

LOCK IN

To bring a witness before a grand jury, thereby locking in his testimony before he has a chance to reconsider and deny any knowledge of a crime.

LOOKOUT

Someone who works for the dealers, keeping an eye out for the police.

MANIFEST

A written document, signed by the captain of a ship, that lists the individual shipments constituting the ship’s cargo.

MARYLAND SHIELD LAW

Statute protecting a reporter’s privilege to protect sources.

MOPE

An ordinary street character, possibly guilty of crimes and possibly not, but certainly not a taxpayer.

MOUNT UP

Get your guns and get ready.

MSA

Maryland School Assessment. Standardized tests for reading, math and science administered in grades three through eight.

MULE

A drug courier who brings narcotics interstate.

MUSCLE

Those members of a drug crew responsible for enforcement and soldiering.

NADDIS

DEA’s Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Information System.

NCIC

The FBI’s National Crime Information Center.

NAGRA

A wearable concealed recording device, now out of date.

No.1

Police term used to describe a black or dark-skinned person.

No.2

Police term used to describe a white or light-skinned person.

OIC

Officer in charge, either of a sector, a shift, or a unit.

OFF THE HOOK

Wild, crazed, out of control.

OFF-SITE

An office used to house a police detail that is apart from the regular police districts and established unit offices. Usually used for a single, complex case, such as a wiretap probe.

ON PAPER

On parole or probation. Not to be confused with having paper on you, which means you are wanted on an outstanding warrant.

ON THE SHELF

Desk work. Not working the beat.

ON THE WING

In flight from police, a fugitive.

ONE AND ONE

A single bag of heroin and a single vial of cocaine, suitable for mixing as a speedball, or an injected combination of both drugs.

ONE-PARTYCONSENT

Law regarding the recording of phone conversations in which only one party needs to give consent for the taping to be legal.

OUTTIE 5000

Exit phrase similar to “later.”

PACECO

One of the tall cranes at the Baltimore port, named for its manufacturer.

PACKAGE

Bulk weight of drugs used to refresh a dealer’s supply, or what a junkie calls his or her purchase from a dealer. However, saying someone has “the package” can also mean he has contracted HIV.

PAY LAWYER

Privately hired attorney.

PJs

The projects.

PLAYED

Taken for a fool.

PLAYER

One involved in the drug trade, or in any illegimate activity.

POINTS ON THE PACKAGE

Percentage of profits on sale of illegal drugs.

POLICE RADIO CODES

KODY RADIOLOGICZNE POLICJI

10–1

Communications check.

10–13 or SIGNAL 13

Officer needs assistance.

10–2

Loud and clear.

10–20

Location. Also known in slang as simply a 20.

10–29

Record check.

10–4

Affirmative.

10–5

Failed to acknowledge.

10–7

Not available/out of service. Sometimes used by police to describe someone who is dead.

10–8

Back in service.

POPO

Police.

PROFORMA

Court rulings intended to expedite the cluttered judicial system.

PRODUCT

Drugs.

PUZZLE PALACE

Derogatory term for Baltimore City public school headquarters on North Avenue.

RAISE UP

As a lookout, to warn a drug crew of approaching police or stickup crews. Also, to provoke or confront someone.

RED BALL

An important, high-profile, or politically charged case.

RE-UP

Replenishment of drug supply to slingers, which is kept in the stash house.

REACT QUOTES

Quotes from various sources in response to a breaking news story.

READ OUTS

Police department info from recent crime reports.

ROLL SOMEONE UP

Impel a suspect to implicate a superior and cooperate in the prosecution of that superior.

ROLLER

Or harness roller. A uniformed patrol officer in a radio car.

RO-RO

Roll on/roll off. An ocean-cargo service using a vessel with ramps that allows wheeled vehicles to be loaded and unloaded without using cranes.

RUNNERS

Low-level workers, often juveniles, in the drug trade who retrieve the drugs once the customer has paid.

SECTOR

A patrol area under the command of a sergeant. There are three or four sectors in every Baltimore police district.

SERVE UP

To murder.

SHEET

Arrest history.

SHITBIRD

A negative term similar, but not quite as harsh, to calling someone an asshole.

SHOOTING GALLERY

Abandoned building where fiends go to shoot up or smoke crack.

SHORTY

Attractive female or young person of either sex. Alternatively, a half-pint of liquor.

SIGNIFYING

Street slang for hanging out, bearing witness, taking stock of a situation, or, more aggressively, presenting oneself as having some authority or right to be.

SKY OR SKY UP

Flee.

SLINGER

Low-to mid-level worker in the drug trade who sells drugs on the corner. Ranked above a runner, as he is allowed to handle drugs.

SLINGING

Dealing drugs.

SOLDIER

A rank-and-file player in the drug trade, and, more particularly, one capable of enforcement or warfare.

SPEEDBALL

An intravenous injection of both heroin and cocaine.

STASH HOUSE

The house where a dealer’s drug supply is kept.

STEP ON IT

Cut drugs.

STEVEDORES

Companies provide equipment and hire workers to transfer cargo between ships and docks. Laborers hired by these firms are called stevedores or longshoremen.

STINGER

A police report that is bounced back because of clerical or technical problems.

STREET SWEEPS

A quick area raid and round-up of suspicious characters, loiterers, drug dealers, etc. by police.

SUCTION

Influence or power.

TAC

Short for tactical, which includes a variety of specialized police units, but is often used to refer to the heavily armored quick-responseteam officers used on raids and in high-risk situations.

TAKE DOORS

Hit locations with search-and-seizure warrants.

TAP OUT

To run low on the current supply of narcotics.

TESTER

Free drug samples given to fiends to advertise the product.

THE BOARD

The black-and-red-lettered caseboard used in the homicide unit.

THE BOX

The police interrogation room.

THE BUG

The AIDS virus.

THE CUT

The House of Corrections in Jessup, south of Baltimore.

THE GAME

The drug trade.

THE HALL

City Hall.

THE OUT

In an interrogation, the excuse offered to a suspect that convinces him to admit guilt, albeit in such a way that the suspect believes his guilt is mitigated.

THE PIT

Slang term for the courtyard in the low-rise projects in West Baltimore where D’Angelo Barksdale was consigned.

THE POINT

Locust Point, in South Baltimore, home to many Polish stevedores and increasingly a yuppie haven.

THE ROTATION

The process by which homicide detectives catch murders, are given a basic amount of time to work those murders, and then must become available again for fresh cases.

THE VACANTS

Abandoned Baltimore rowhouses.

TIME OUT

What lookouts shout to alert a drug crew that the police or a stick-up crew has arrived.

TITLE III

Legal term for a federally sanctioned wiretap.

TOUT

A street-level slinger who announces what drugs are available and attracts customers.

TRIAL BALLOON

Information or idea sent out in order to observe reaction.

VIAL

The basic unit of street-sold cocaine, named for the small plastic, perfume-sample vials used as packaging. The vials have small, colored plastic tops, hence such brand names as Red Tops or Yellow Tops.

WALK AROUND MONEY

Money given to campaign workers on the street to get out the vote just before or on election day. WALKING FOOT

WE BRACIN’ UP

Getting ready to fight

WHIP

A nice vehicle.

WHISTLE

Handgun.

WHODUNIT

A hard-to-solve murder. The opposite of a dunker.

WIRE

A wiretap, or a concealed recording device on a person.

24-HOUR REPORT, or 24

Police report summarizing a major incident, prepared within the first 24 hours following the incident.

A-MATTER

Background or history of event/person/story being written about. In the pre-computer era of “hot-metal” typesetting, “A-matter” was often waiting in the composing room galley trays for a reporter to file the latest information for the top of the story.

A.M.E.

Assistant medical examiner.

APB

All points bulletin.

A.S.A.

Assistant state attorney, a city prosecutor.

AUSA

Assistant United States attorney, a federal prosecutor.

A TASTE

Slang term meaning a beer or drink or a hit of dope. fg drugs.

ATTRIBUTION

Identification of source in reported information, as in

B OF I

Bureau of Identification, the unit that produces mug shots and other criminal intelligence material.

B&E

Breaking and entering.

BABY BOOKING

Juvenile intake unit for offenders under the age of majority.

BASER

A person who cuts cocaine in preparation for distribution.

BAWLMER

How many locals pronounce Baltimore.

BENNIES

Benefits.

BLOW THE BOX

Answering a question during a polygraph test in a way that causes the needle to soar, indicating a falsehood.

BODYMORE, MURDERLAND

Slang terms for Baltimore, Maryland, illustrating its high murder rate.

BPI

Baltimore Police Index. The city police computer.

BUG

A concealed microphone. Not to be confused with The Bug, which is AIDS, or Michael Lee’s little brother, “Bug.”

BULK CARGO

Shipping term for cargo that is stored in bulk in a ship’s hold and does not utilize containers. At one time, almost all cargo was bulk

BUMP

Battle or fight.

BURNER

Pre-paid disposable cell phone.

BURNT

Cheated

BUST A CAP

To fire a weapon.

BUYOUT

Corporate purchase of the remainder of a worker’s employment, severing relationship with employee.

BYLINE

Name of reporter who wrote a newspaper story, appearing below the headline and before the text.

CI

Confidential informant.

CID

Criminal Investigation Division.

CAN

Slang term for a shipping container that can be detached from the chassis of a truck for loading onto a vessel, a railcar, or stacked in a container depot. Also known as a box.

CANVASS

Investigative interviews with residents and others in a particular geographic area.

CAP

Bullet

CARRY WATER

To perform a duty, often unpleasant, for someone who would normally do it for themselves. At times, the work of a flunky.

CAUGHT THE CASE

When a police detective is assigned to investigate a crime/case.

CENTER PIECE

Feature story, illustrated by at least one large photograph, in the center of the front page of a section of a newspaper. CHANNEL 3

CHECKERS

Dockworkers who take an actual count of the goods (number of boxes, drums, bundles, pipes, etc.) versus the amount listed on the ship’s manifest. Members of the longshoremen’s checkers local will also note shortages, overages, or damage.

CITYWIDE

The main radio band for city police. All felony calls and announcements are broadcast on citywide. CLEARANCE

CLOCKING

Dealing drugs.

CLUSTER-FUCK

A term of military origin used to describe a hopelessly screwed-up situation.

COLD PATCH TRUCK

City public works truck used to fix potholes.

CONTAINER

A truck trailer body that can be detached from the chassis for loading onto a vessel, a railcar, or stacked in a container depot. Also known as a can or box.

CONTRIB LINE

Short for contribution line, which lists writers who contributed material to the work of another reporter.

COOK THE BOOKS

To falsify information, usually statistics. Synonymous with “juke the stats.”

CREW MEMBER

Someone belonging to a drug organization.

CUR

A dog who turns his head in a fight.

CUT HOUSE

Where a drug crew dilutes and packages product.

D WARD

Hospital detox.

DEU

Drug Enforcement Unit. The district-level drug squads in the nine Baltimore police districts. The Western DEU, for example, is the drug unit in the Western District.

DNR

Dialed-number recorder used to intercept the telephone numbers called from a phone and, if the caller ID is installed, to record incoming numbers. A preliminary step to any wiretap.

DSS

Department of Social Services.

DAP

Handshake between known associates that usually involves both hands being closed in a fist and then hit together, either knuckle to knuckle or bottom of hand to the top of the other person’s hand.

DEPUTY OPS

The deputy commissioner of operations, the No. 2 man in the Baltimore police department, under the commissioner.

DETAIL

Team of law enforcement personnel assigned to a specific case.

DISTRICT

A police precinct in Baltimore. There are nine

DROP A DIME

To snitch on someone, to give up information to authorities.

DROPPED

Slang for someone being shot.

DUNKER

An easily solved case.

DUTY JUDGE

The judge on duty after hours, who can sign search or arrest warrants for detectives after court is closed.

DUTY OFFICER

The night commander for the police commander, appointed on a rotating schedule from the ranking commanders.

DWI

Driving While Intoxicated.

ECU

Evidence Control Unit.

ENFORCER

A gunman for a drug crew

EXHAUSTION

Investigative term. A legal requirement that the police prove that they have “exhausted” all other investigative strategies in a case, so that they are justified in requesting electronic intercepts.

EYEFUCK

A dirty look.

FIEND

Drug addict.

FIN

Five-dollar bill.

FIVE-O

An ancient slang term for police.

FLEX SQUAD

An extra squad of district plainclothesmen that can be used to target particular high-crime areas tactically.

FLIP

To cooperate with authorities and give evidence against criminal associates or superiors.

FLOATER

Dead body found in water.

GELCAP

A single dose of heroin, packaged in a pharmaceutical gelcap.

GLOCK

A make of semi-automatic weapon used by Baltimore police.

GO TO GROUND

When someone in flight stops running from police and hides.

G-PACK

One thousand vials of cocaine, prepackaged for sale.

GUMP

Nerd and/or wimp, from the movie Forrest Gump.

H-FILES

Homicide files.

HAND-TO-HAND

When an undercover narcotics officer buys drugs directly from a suspect.

HER-RON

Heroin.

HOMES

Term of affection. Homeboy may be grossly clichéd, but its abbreviated version is occasionally offered.

HOME FINAL

Final edition of paper delivered to residential subscribers.

HOOPTIE

Street slang for a knocked-around vehicle.

HOPPERS

Young kids, juveniles.

HOT BOX

A shipping container that is supposed to be off-loaded from a ship directly to a truck, rather than stored on the docks.

HOURS

Time working on a job or assignment.

HOUSECAT

Slang police term for an officer who works in the office, rather than on the street.

HUMBLE

An arrest based on weak or nonexistent evidence, such as disorderly conduct or loitering, used by street officers to humble an argumentative or provocative civilian.

I. I. D.

Internal Investigations Division. Investigates possible crimes/ infractions involving police personnel.

IBS

The Wire’s fictional union, the International Brotherhood of Stevedores. IN STIR

IN THE WIND

Missing, lost, running from the law.

INDEPENDENCE CARD

State of Maryland “Electronic Benefits Transfer” (EBT). A debit card uploaded with food stamps and/or cash.

JOHN BLAZE

A fire, wild, strong.

JOHN DOE

Police investigation term used to describe an unidentified male dead body. An unidentified female is a Jane Doe.

JUVENILE INTAKE

Where juvenile criminals are taken after arrest to be processed for detention.

KGA

Code for the dispatcher on police radio calls.

KEL-LITE

A two-foot-long, metal-encased flashlight that can be used as a nightstick.

KEY

Kilogram of drugs.

LATENTS

Fingerprints found as evidence.

LAKE TROUT

Baltimore term for fried, breaded white fish, served on plain white bread with tartar sauce and hot sauce.

LAY IN THE CUT

To hide from a situation, not get involved.

LIZARD

Lesbian.

LOCK IN

To bring a witness before a grand jury, thereby locking in his testimony before he has a chance to reconsider and deny any knowledge of a crime.

LOOKOUT

Someone who works for the dealers, keeping an eye out for the police.

MANIFEST

A written document, signed by the captain of a ship, that lists the individual shipments constituting the ship’s cargo.

MARYLAND SHIELD LAW

Statute protecting a reporter’s privilege to protect sources.

MOPE

An ordinary street character, possibly guilty of crimes and possibly not, but certainly not a taxpayer.

MOUNT UP

Get your guns and get ready.

MSA

Maryland School Assessment. Standardized tests for reading, math and science administered in grades three through eight.

MULE

A drug courier who brings narcotics interstate.

MUSCLE

Those members of a drug crew responsible for enforcement and soldiering.

NADDIS

DEA’s Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Information System.

NCIC

The FBI’s National Crime Information Center.

NAGRA

A wearable concealed recording device, now out of date.

No.1

Police term used to describe a black or dark-skinned person.

No.2

Police term used to describe a white or light-skinned person.

OIC

Officer in charge, either of a sector, a shift, or a unit.

OFF THE HOOK

Wild, crazed, out of control.

OFF-SITE

An office used to house a police detail that is apart from the regular police districts and established unit offices. Usually used for a single, complex case, such as a wiretap probe.

ON PAPER

On parole or probation. Not to be confused with having paper on you, which means you are wanted on an outstanding warrant.

ON THE SHELF

Desk work. Not working the beat.

ON THE WING

In flight from police, a fugitive.

ONE AND ONE

A single bag of heroin and a single vial of cocaine, suitable for mixing as a speedball, or an injected combination of both drugs.

ONE-PARTYCONSENT

Law regarding the recording of phone conversations in which only one party needs to give consent for the taping to be legal.

OUTTIE 5000

Exit phrase similar to “later.”

PACECO

One of the tall cranes at the Baltimore port, named for its manufacturer.

PACKAGE

Bulk weight of drugs used to refresh a dealer’s supply, or what a junkie calls his or her purchase from a dealer. However, saying someone has “the package” can also mean he has contracted HIV.

PAY LAWYER

Privately hired attorney.

PJs

The projects.

PLAYED

Taken for a fool.

PLAYER

One involved in the drug trade, or in any illegimate activity.

POINTS ON THE PACKAGE

Percentage of profits on sale of illegal drugs.

POLICE RADIO CODES

KODY RADIOLOGICZNE POLICJI

10–1

Communications check.

10–13 or SIGNAL 13

Officer needs assistance.

10–2

Loud and clear.

10–20

Location. Also known in slang as simply a 20.

10–29

Record check.

10–4

Affirmative.

10–5

Failed to acknowledge.

10–7

Not available/out of service. Sometimes used by police to describe someone who is dead.

10–8

Back in service.

POPO

Police.

PROFORMA

Court rulings intended to expedite the cluttered judicial system.

PRODUCT

Drugs.

PUZZLE PALACE

Derogatory term for Baltimore City public school headquarters on North Avenue.

RAISE UP

As a lookout, to warn a drug crew of approaching police or stickup crews. Also, to provoke or confront someone.

RED BALL

An important, high-profile, or politically charged case.

RE-UP

Replenishment of drug supply to slingers, which is kept in the stash house.

REACT QUOTES

Quotes from various sources in response to a breaking news story.

READ OUTS

Police department info from recent crime reports.

ROLL SOMEONE UP

Impel a suspect to implicate a superior and cooperate in the prosecution of that superior.

ROLLER

Or harness roller. A uniformed patrol officer in a radio car.

RO-RO

Roll on/roll off. An ocean-cargo service using a vessel with ramps that allows wheeled vehicles to be loaded and unloaded without using cranes.

RUNNERS

Low-level workers, often juveniles, in the drug trade who retrieve the drugs once the customer has paid.

SECTOR

A patrol area under the command of a sergeant. There are three or four sectors in every Baltimore police district.

SERVE UP

To murder.

SHEET

Arrest history.

SHITBIRD

A negative term similar, but not quite as harsh, to calling someone an asshole.

SHOOTING GALLERY

Abandoned building where fiends go to shoot up or smoke crack.

SHORTY

Attractive female or young person of either sex. Alternatively, a half-pint of liquor.

SIGNIFYING

Street slang for hanging out, bearing witness, taking stock of a situation, or, more aggressively, presenting oneself as having some authority or right to be.

SKY OR SKY UP

Flee.

SLINGER

Low-to mid-level worker in the drug trade who sells drugs on the corner. Ranked above a runner, as he is allowed to handle drugs.

SLINGING

Dealing drugs.

SOLDIER

A rank-and-file player in the drug trade, and, more particularly, one capable of enforcement or warfare.

SPEEDBALL

An intravenous injection of both heroin and cocaine.

STASH HOUSE

The house where a dealer’s drug supply is kept.

STEP ON IT

Cut drugs.

STEVEDORES

Companies provide equipment and hire workers to transfer cargo between ships and docks. Laborers hired by these firms are called stevedores or longshoremen.

STINGER

A police report that is bounced back because of clerical or technical problems.

STREET SWEEPS

A quick area raid and round-up of suspicious characters, loiterers, drug dealers, etc. by police.

SUCTION

Influence or power.

TAC

Short for tactical, which includes a variety of specialized police units, but is often used to refer to the heavily armored quick-responseteam officers used on raids and in high-risk situations.

TAKE DOORS

Hit locations with search-and-seizure warrants.

TAP OUT

To run low on the current supply of narcotics.

TESTER

Free drug samples given to fiends to advertise the product.

THE BOARD

The black-and-red-lettered caseboard used in the homicide unit.

THE BOX

The police interrogation room.

THE BUG

The AIDS virus.

THE CUT

The House of Corrections in Jessup, south of Baltimore.

THE GAME

The drug trade.

THE HALL

City Hall.

THE OUT

In an interrogation, the excuse offered to a suspect that convinces him to admit guilt, albeit in such a way that the suspect believes his guilt is mitigated.

THE PIT

Slang term for the courtyard in the low-rise projects in West Baltimore where D’Angelo Barksdale was consigned.

THE POINT

Locust Point, in South Baltimore, home to many Polish stevedores and increasingly a yuppie haven.

THE ROTATION

The process by which homicide detectives catch murders, are given a basic amount of time to work those murders, and then must become available again for fresh cases.

THE VACANTS

Abandoned Baltimore rowhouses.

TIME OUT

What lookouts shout to alert a drug crew that the police or a stick-up crew has arrived.

TITLE III

Legal term for a federally sanctioned wiretap.

TOUT

A street-level slinger who announces what drugs are available and attracts customers.

TRIAL BALLOON

Information or idea sent out in order to observe reaction.

VIAL

The basic unit of street-sold cocaine, named for the small plastic, perfume-sample vials used as packaging. The vials have small, colored plastic tops, hence such brand names as Red Tops or Yellow Tops.

WALK AROUND MONEY

Money given to campaign workers on the street to get out the vote just before or on election day. WALKING FOOT

WE BRACIN’ UP

Getting ready to fight

WHIP

A nice vehicle.

WHISTLE

Handgun.

WHODUNIT

A hard-to-solve murder. The opposite of a dunker.

WIRE

A wiretap, or a concealed recording device on a person.

WIRED CI

Confidential informant who is wearing a concealed recording device. WORD IS BOND

YOU FEEL ME NOW?

Get it? Understand?

24-HOUR REPORT, or 24

Police report summarizing a major incident, prepared within the first 24 hours following the incident.

A-MATTER

Background or history of event/person/story being written about. In the pre-computer era of “hot-metal” typesetting, “A-matter” was often waiting in the composing room galley trays for a reporter to file the latest information for the top of the story.

A.M.E.

Assistant medical examiner.

APB

All points bulletin.

A.S.A.

Assistant state attorney, a city prosecutor.

AUSA

Assistant United States attorney, a federal prosecutor.

A TASTE

Slang term meaning a beer or drink or a hit of dope. fg drugs.

ATTRIBUTION

Identification of source in reported information, as in

B OF I

Bureau of Identification, the unit that produces mug shots and other criminal intelligence material.

B&E

Breaking and entering.

BABY BOOKING

Juvenile intake unit for offenders under the age of majority.

BASER

A person who cuts cocaine in preparation for distribution.

BAWLMER

How many locals pronounce Baltimore.

BENNIES

Benefits.

BLOW THE BOX

Answering a question during a polygraph test in a way that causes the needle to soar, indicating a falsehood.

BODYMORE, MURDERLAND

Slang terms for Baltimore, Maryland, illustrating its high murder rate.

BPI

Baltimore Police Index. The city police computer.

BUG

A concealed microphone. Not to be confused with The Bug, which is AIDS, or Michael Lee’s little brother, “Bug.”

BULK CARGO

Shipping term for cargo that is stored in bulk in a ship’s hold and does not utilize containers. At one time, almost all cargo was bulk

BUMP

Battle or fight.

BURNER

Pre-paid disposable cell phone.

BURNT

Cheated

BUST A CAP

To fire a weapon.

BUYOUT

Corporate purchase of the remainder of a worker’s employment, severing relationship with employee.

BYLINE

Name of reporter who wrote a newspaper story, appearing below the headline and before the text.

CI

Confidential informant.

CID

Criminal Investigation Division.

CAN

Slang term for a shipping container that can be detached from the chassis of a truck for loading onto a vessel, a railcar, or stacked in a container depot. Also known as a box.

CANVASS

Investigative interviews with residents and others in a particular geographic area.

CAP

Bullet

CARRY WATER

To perform a duty, often unpleasant, for someone who would normally do it for themselves. At times, the work of a flunky.

CAUGHT THE CASE

When a police detective is assigned to investigate a crime/case.

CENTER PIECE

Feature story, illustrated by at least one large photograph, in the center of the front page of a section of a newspaper. CHANNEL 3

CHECKERS

Dockworkers who take an actual count of the goods (number of boxes, drums, bundles, pipes, etc.) versus the amount listed on the ship’s manifest. Members of the longshoremen’s checkers local will also note shortages, overages, or damage.

CITYWIDE

The main radio band for city police. All felony calls and announcements are broadcast on citywide. CLEARANCE

CLOCKING

Dealing drugs.

CLUSTER-FUCK

A term of military origin used to describe a hopelessly screwed-up situation.

COLD PATCH TRUCK

City public works truck used to fix potholes.

CONTAINER

A truck trailer body that can be detached from the chassis for loading onto a vessel, a railcar, or stacked in a container depot. Also known as a can or box.

CONTRIB LINE

Short for contribution line, which lists writers who contributed material to the work of another reporter.

COOK THE BOOKS

To falsify information, usually statistics. Synonymous with “juke the stats.”

CREW MEMBER

Someone belonging to a drug organization.

CUR

A dog who turns his head in a fight.

CUT HOUSE

Where a drug crew dilutes and packages product.

D WARD

Hospital detox.

DEU

Drug Enforcement Unit. The district-level drug squads in the nine Baltimore police districts. The Western DEU, for example, is the drug unit in the Western District.

DNR

Dialed-number recorder used to intercept the telephone numbers called from a phone and, if the caller ID is installed, to record incoming numbers. A preliminary step to any wiretap.

DSS

Department of Social Services.

DAP

Handshake between known associates that usually involves both hands being closed in a fist and then hit together, either knuckle to knuckle or bottom of hand to the top of the other person’s hand.

DEPUTY OPS

The deputy commissioner of operations, the No. 2 man in the Baltimore police department, under the commissioner.

DETAIL

Team of law enforcement personnel assigned to a specific case.

DISTRICT

A police precinct in Baltimore. There are nine

DROP A DIME

To snitch on someone, to give up information to authorities.

DROPPED

Slang for someone being shot.

DUNKER

An easily solved case.

DUTY JUDGE

The judge on duty after hours, who can sign search or arrest warrants for detectives after court is closed.

DUTY OFFICER

The night commander for the police commander, appointed on a rotating schedule from the ranking commanders.

DWI

Driving While Intoxicated.

ECU

Evidence Control Unit.

ENFORCER

A gunman for a drug crew

EXHAUSTION

Investigative term. A legal requirement that the police prove that they have “exhausted” all other investigative strategies in a case, so that they are justified in requesting electronic intercepts.

EYEFUCK

A dirty look.

FIEND

Drug addict.

FIN

Five-dollar bill.

FIVE-O

An ancient slang term for police.

FLEX SQUAD

An extra squad of district plainclothesmen that can be used to target particular high-crime areas tactically.

FLIP

To cooperate with authorities and give evidence against criminal associates or superiors.

FLOATER

Dead body found in water.

GELCAP

A single dose of heroin, packaged in a pharmaceutical gelcap.

GLOCK

A make of semi-automatic weapon used by Baltimore police.

GO TO GROUND

When someone in flight stops running from police and hides.

G-PACK

One thousand vials of cocaine, prepackaged for sale.

GUMP

Nerd and/or wimp, from the movie Forrest Gump.

H-FILES

Homicide files.

HAND-TO-HAND

When an undercover narcotics officer buys drugs directly from a suspect.

HER-RON

Heroin.

HOMES

Term of affection. Homeboy may be grossly clichéd, but its abbreviated version is occasionally offered.

HOME FINAL

Final edition of paper delivered to residential subscribers.

HOOPTIE

Street slang for a knocked-around vehicle.

HOPPERS

Young kids, juveniles.

HOT BOX

A shipping container that is supposed to be off-loaded from a ship directly to a truck, rather than stored on the docks.

HOURS

Time working on a job or assignment.

HOUSECAT

Slang police term for an officer who works in the office, rather than on the street.

HUMBLE

An arrest based on weak or nonexistent evidence, such as disorderly conduct or loitering, used by street officers to humble an argumentative or provocative civilian.

I. I. D.

Internal Investigations Division. Investigates possible crimes/ infractions involving police personnel.

IBS

The Wire’s fictional union, the International Brotherhood of Stevedores. IN STIR

IN THE WIND

Missing, lost, running from the law.

INDEPENDENCE CARD

State of Maryland “Electronic Benefits Transfer” (EBT). A debit card uploaded with food stamps and/or cash.

JOHN BLAZE

A fire, wild, strong.

JOHN DOE

Police investigation term used to describe an unidentified male dead body. An unidentified female is a Jane Doe.

JUVENILE INTAKE

Where juvenile criminals are taken after arrest to be processed for detention.

KGA

Code for the dispatcher on police radio calls.

KEL-LITE

A two-foot-long, metal-encased flashlight that can be used as a nightstick.

KEY

Kilogram of drugs.

LATENTS

Fingerprints found as evidence.

LAKE TROUT

Baltimore term for fried, breaded white fish, served on plain white bread with tartar sauce and hot sauce.

LAY IN THE CUT

To hide from a situation, not get involved.

LIZARD

Lesbian.

LOCK IN

To bring a witness before a grand jury, thereby locking in his testimony before he has a chance to reconsider and deny any knowledge of a crime.

LOOKOUT

Someone who works for the dealers, keeping an eye out for the police.

MANIFEST

A written document, signed by the captain of a ship, that lists the individual shipments constituting the ship’s cargo.

MARYLAND SHIELD LAW

Statute protecting a reporter’s privilege to protect sources.

MOPE

An ordinary street character, possibly guilty of crimes and possibly not, but certainly not a taxpayer.

MOUNT UP

Get your guns and get ready.

MSA

Maryland School Assessment. Standardized tests for reading, math and science administered in grades three through eight.

MULE

A drug courier who brings narcotics interstate.

MUSCLE

Those members of a drug crew responsible for enforcement and soldiering.

NADDIS

DEA’s Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Information System.

NCIC

The FBI’s National Crime Information Center.

NAGRA

A wearable concealed recording device, now out of date.

No.1

Police term used to describe a black or dark-skinned person.

No.2

Police term used to describe a white or light-skinned person.

OIC

Officer in charge, either of a sector, a shift, or a unit.

OFF THE HOOK

Wild, crazed, out of control.

OFF-SITE

An office used to house a police detail that is apart from the regular police districts and established unit offices. Usually used for a single, complex case, such as a wiretap probe.

ON PAPER

On parole or probation. Not to be confused with having paper on you, which means you are wanted on an outstanding warrant.

ON THE SHELF

Desk work. Not working the beat.

ON THE WING

In flight from police, a fugitive.

ONE AND ONE

A single bag of heroin and a single vial of cocaine, suitable for mixing as a speedball, or an injected combination of both drugs.

ONE-PARTYCONSENT

Law regarding the recording of phone conversations in which only one party needs to give consent for the taping to be legal.

OUTTIE 5000

Exit phrase similar to “later.”

PACECO

One of the tall cranes at the Baltimore port, named for its manufacturer.

PACKAGE

Bulk weight of drugs used to refresh a dealer’s supply, or what a junkie calls his or her purchase from a dealer. However, saying someone has “the package” can also mean he has contracted HIV.

PAY LAWYER

Privately hired attorney.

PJs

The projects.

PLAYED

Taken for a fool.

PLAYER

One involved in the drug trade, or in any illegimate activity.

POINTS ON THE PACKAGE

Percentage of profits on sale of illegal drugs.

POLICE RADIO CODES

KODY RADIOLOGICZNE POLICJI

10–1

Communications check.

10–13 or SIGNAL 13

Officer needs assistance.

10–2

Loud and clear.

10–20

Location. Also known in slang as simply a 20.

10–29

Record check.

10–4

Affirmative.

10–5

Failed to acknowledge.

10–7

Not available/out of service. Sometimes used by police to describe someone who is dead.

10–8

Back in service.

POPO

Police.

PROFORMA

Court rulings intended to expedite the cluttered judicial system.

PRODUCT

Drugs.

PUZZLE PALACE

Derogatory term for Baltimore City public school headquarters on North Avenue.

RAISE UP

As a lookout, to warn a drug crew of approaching police or stickup crews. Also, to provoke or confront someone.

RED BALL

An important, high-profile, or politically charged case.

RE-UP

Replenishment of drug supply to slingers, which is kept in the stash house.

REACT QUOTES

Quotes from various sources in response to a breaking news story.

READ OUTS

Police department info from recent crime reports.

ROLL SOMEONE UP

Impel a suspect to implicate a superior and cooperate in the prosecution of that superior.