May 26-June 1, 2005

cover story

Kensington Confidental

We put the screws to Allen Hornblum, Temple professor and author of Confessions of a Second Story Man.

by Duane Swierczynski

City Paper: When did you first hear about the K&A Gang?
Allen Hornblum: First heard about the K&A Gang as a teenager, but very few folks in my milieu knew anything about them. Later, as an adult, I'd periodically hear references about them, but again there seemed to be little written about who they were and their exploits. They had become something of an urban myth — much whispered, but little in the way of documented coverage. Another example of a Philadelphia gem that had fallen through the cracks.

CP: After all these years, how did you track down Junior and the guys?
AH: I started my quest to track down surviving K&A members around 2000. A couple key Kensington guys provided captivating stories, personality profiles and direction as to where guys were and how to approach them. Some wanted to talk, while others wanted no part of me. Some contacted me and wanted to help while others made their opposition to my investigation quite clear. Junior's name came up periodically and he seemed to be much respected. However, he was in Florida and no one would provide any specific info as to where he was located. He was obviously on the run. Suddenly, in the middle of my research effort, I learned he had been flown back to the Philly area in bad shape. Living high in South Beach had contributed to a severe stroke — thereby doing what local, state and federal police couldn't: finally terminate his criminal career.

CP: OK, admit it. Your research took you to many bars.
AH: My research ran the gamut from tracking guys down in local, state and federal prisons to setting up shop in a host of River Ward shot-and-beer joints. Hours and days were spent in each, as well as a great many other places, including illicit neighborhood gambling dens. Anywhere I heard the old K&A guys could be found, I visited.

CP: Do any other crime teams from around the U.S. compare to the K&A Gang?
AH: There were other burglary rings, but according to the law enforcement folks I talked to the most efficient, effective and long-lasting were the K&A guys. There was a New York crew that was supposed to be pretty successful, as well as the Youngstown (Ohio) crowd that also developed an impressive burglary resumé.

CP: Are organized burglary rings a thing of the past?
AH: There are no doubt burglary rings out there today, but I doubt their tactics, longevity and ne'er-do-well personality is the same. And yes, another crew similar to the K&A crowd could come along but I wouldn't bet on it. The Kensington guys were something special — blue-collar idiot savants from a working class community who turned second-story work into a cottage industry.

CP: What does Junior think of the book?
AH: Junior hasn't seen the manuscript yet. He's anxious to read it. It's my policy not to show the manuscript to those I'm writing about. I don't want to be pressured or influenced to change things or alter the truth in an effort to make someone look better. I think Junior will be pleased. It's his life writ large.

Allen Hornblum will read, sign and discuss Confessions of a Second Story Man at the Free Library, Central Branch,1901 Vine St., on June 27th at 7 p.m.