Speaking on no radios and having a dime taped to your ID. When I was a young guy , late 70's on a small dept in IA. I noticed dark heavy glass red lights on all the tallest building, especially the corned buildings.
I asked the Asst. Chief, 40+ on the job,about it one day. He laughed and said when he was a young officer,you walked the beat. When you saw a red light lit up,you went to the station,and took one of the two cars to handle a call too far to walk to. Now thats old school,sounds great. REB