WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:05.000 21st precinct, Sergeant Waters. 00:05.000 --> 00:07.000 Where is this? 00:07.000 --> 00:10.000 Yeah? Yeah? 00:10.000 --> 00:13.000 Well, do you need an ambulance there? 00:13.000 --> 00:16.000 Which car is involved and who's hurt? 00:16.000 --> 00:20.000 You are in the muster room at the 21st precinct, the nerve center. 00:20.000 --> 00:22.000 A call is coming through. 00:22.000 --> 00:25.000 You will follow the action taken pursuant to that call 00:25.000 --> 00:31.000 from this minute until the final report is written in the 124 room at the 21st precinct. 00:31.000 --> 00:33.000 All right, there's an ambulance on the way. 00:33.000 --> 00:36.000 I heard the radio call. That's right. 00:36.000 --> 00:38.000 It's all taken care of. 00:38.000 --> 00:40.000 Okay, I'll make the notifications. 00:40.000 --> 00:43.000 Ringing 00:43.000 --> 00:47.000 21st precinct. It's just lines on a map of the city of New York. 00:47.000 --> 00:51.000 Most of the 173,000 people wedged into the nine-tenths of a square mile 00:51.000 --> 00:53.000 between Fifth Avenue and the East River 00:53.000 --> 00:56.000 wouldn't know if you asked them that they lived or worked in the 21st. 00:56.000 --> 01:00.000 Whether they know it or not, the security of their homes, their persons, and their property 01:00.000 --> 01:03.000 is the job of the men of the 21st precinct. 01:03.000 --> 01:08.000 The 21st, 160 patrolmen, 11 sergeants, and four lieutenants of whom I am the boss. 01:08.000 --> 01:11.000 My name is Kennelly, Frank Kennelly. 01:11.000 --> 01:14.000 I'm captain in command of the 21st. 01:14.000 --> 01:16.000 I was working my night tour. 01:16.000 --> 01:20.000 When I came into the station house at 3.25 p.m., I signed the blotter 01:20.000 --> 01:24.000 and went directly into my office where I changed a uniform. 01:24.000 --> 01:27.000 Then I sat down at my desk to sift through the volume of reports 01:27.000 --> 01:30.000 and communications that had accumulated since I was last on duty 01:30.000 --> 01:33.000 nearly 24 hours earlier. 01:33.000 --> 01:36.000 At two minutes before four, I walked out into the muster room 01:36.000 --> 01:41.000 where I went behind the desk and turned out to platoon for the four to twelve tour. 01:41.000 --> 01:44.000 After the 63 men who had patrolled the streets of the precinct on foot 01:44.000 --> 01:47.000 and in sector cars marched out the front door of the station house 01:47.000 --> 01:51.000 to take over their posts, I returned to my office for a conference 01:51.000 --> 01:55.000 with the precinct youth patrolmen in regard to the problems he would face 01:55.000 --> 01:59.000 with the reopening of the schools a couple of weeks hence. 01:59.000 --> 02:04.000 He outlined his program for the fall and I gave my approval to his plans. 02:04.000 --> 02:08.000 At 5.30 p.m., I went on patrol of the precinct in sector car number two 02:08.000 --> 02:12.000 with patrolman Paul Egan as operator and myself as recorder. 02:12.000 --> 02:15.000 During the course of this patrol, I had occasion to make a stop 02:15.000 --> 02:21.000 at a movie house on Lexington Avenue in regard to several complaints we had received. 02:21.000 --> 02:24.000 I found the manager in the back of the theater and spoke to him there 02:24.000 --> 02:28.000 while the newsreel was playing on the screen. 02:28.000 --> 02:31.000 Captain, believe me, I don't want a rowdy's in here. 02:31.000 --> 02:33.000 I wish they wouldn't show up. 02:33.000 --> 02:36.000 Well, they're certainly beginning to scare your regular patrons away. 02:36.000 --> 02:38.000 You're telling me. 02:38.000 --> 02:42.000 Here, here's the part of the newsreel I was telling you about. 02:42.000 --> 02:45.000 A flat look from Paris. 02:49.000 --> 02:52.000 How do you like those new styles? 02:52.000 --> 02:54.000 That's a scream, isn't it? 02:54.000 --> 02:56.000 The pencil figure, they call it. 02:56.000 --> 02:59.000 It's a shame there isn't more people here to enjoy it. 02:59.000 --> 03:03.000 Well, there'll be even more of them stay away, Mr. Soken, 03:03.000 --> 03:05.000 if you can't keep the disturbances down in here. 03:05.000 --> 03:07.000 Well, what can I do? 03:07.000 --> 03:11.000 They seem like nice clean kids when they buy their tickets at the box office. 03:11.000 --> 03:16.000 When they get in here, they start making a lot of noise and disturbing the patrons. 03:16.000 --> 03:19.000 There's usually five or six of them in a lump. 03:19.000 --> 03:21.000 I got myself in one usher. 03:21.000 --> 03:24.000 I try to calm them down, but there's some odds we're against. 03:24.000 --> 03:27.000 Well, just call the station house, Mr. Soken. 03:27.000 --> 03:29.000 We'll get them quiet or out or both. 03:29.000 --> 03:32.000 Well, that's something I'd like to avoid, Captain. 03:32.000 --> 03:36.000 You know, cops coming in here, that don't look good, a situation like that. 03:36.000 --> 03:39.000 Doesn't look very good now, does it? 03:39.000 --> 03:42.000 Got a big point, Captain, big point. 03:42.000 --> 03:44.000 I'll take your advice. 03:44.000 --> 03:47.000 Is that cop looking for you? 03:47.000 --> 03:50.000 Oh, yes. Egan, here. 03:50.000 --> 03:52.000 Look, Captain, the call just came over. 03:52.000 --> 03:55.000 Alarm of a fire at 83rd Street and 1st Avenue. 03:55.000 --> 03:56.000 All right, Egan. 03:56.000 --> 03:59.000 Keep in touch with us if you need us, Mr. Soken. 03:59.000 --> 04:01.000 I will, Captain, I will. You can depend on it. 04:01.000 --> 04:03.000 I hope so. 04:03.000 --> 04:05.000 Well, I'll see you, Captain. See you. 04:05.000 --> 04:08.000 Okay, what's burning there, Egan? Do you know? 04:08.000 --> 04:10.000 The call didn't say, Captain. 04:10.000 --> 04:12.000 Okay. 04:13.000 --> 04:15.000 Go ahead. 04:15.000 --> 04:16.000 Thank you. 04:16.000 --> 04:19.000 Oh, was the call put out? Ambulance responding? 04:19.000 --> 04:20.000 No, sir. 04:20.000 --> 04:21.000 All right, we'll take a look. 04:21.000 --> 04:23.000 Yes, sir. 04:23.000 --> 04:25.000 Oh, get in, Captain. I'll go around. 04:25.000 --> 04:27.000 Right. 04:32.000 --> 04:34.000 I hope it's not a dwelling, then. 04:34.000 --> 04:37.000 Well, if it's bad, they'll hit the second alarm. 04:39.000 --> 04:41.000 Okay, go ahead. You're clear. 04:48.000 --> 04:50.000 Cut over and go up first. There'll be less traffic. 04:50.000 --> 04:52.000 Yes, sir. 04:54.000 --> 04:56.000 This looks clear. 04:56.000 --> 04:58.000 Okay, take it. 04:58.000 --> 05:03.000 Watch it. Watch that car. Get out of the way. 05:03.000 --> 05:05.000 Hold on, Captain. 05:15.000 --> 05:18.000 Ah, 491. Call your office, K. 05:18.000 --> 05:20.000 Egan. 05:20.000 --> 05:21.000 Egan. 05:21.000 --> 05:23.000 Officer. Are you all right in there? 05:23.000 --> 05:25.000 Officer. 05:25.000 --> 05:26.000 Egan. 05:26.000 --> 05:28.000 Officer. 05:28.000 --> 05:31.000 Look, can you open that door, lady? 05:31.000 --> 05:32.000 This one's jammed. 05:32.000 --> 05:34.000 I'm trying to. 05:34.000 --> 05:37.000 I'll push from the inside, and we'll try together. 05:37.000 --> 05:39.000 All right. 05:39.000 --> 05:41.000 All right, together. 05:41.000 --> 05:43.000 It won't work. 05:43.000 --> 05:45.000 There it goes. 05:45.000 --> 05:47.000 Are you all right? 05:47.000 --> 05:48.000 Egan. 05:48.000 --> 05:49.000 Oh, my goodness. 05:49.000 --> 05:51.000 Hey, is anybody hurt? You all right? 05:51.000 --> 05:53.000 All right, you folks better stay back. 05:53.000 --> 05:55.000 Oh, that poor man. 05:55.000 --> 05:57.000 All right, just stand back a little. 05:57.000 --> 05:59.000 You weren't driving that car, were you? 05:59.000 --> 06:02.000 No, he's in there. He's still sitting in there. 06:02.000 --> 06:03.000 How is he? 06:03.000 --> 06:04.000 I don't know. 06:04.000 --> 06:06.000 All right, stand back, folks. 06:06.000 --> 06:08.000 Is he going to be all right, do you think? 06:08.000 --> 06:10.000 Just give us a little room here, huh? 06:10.000 --> 06:13.000 Come on, give us a little room. 06:13.000 --> 06:18.000 Car 681 to Central, K. 06:18.000 --> 06:22.000 We've seen Car 681, K. 06:22.000 --> 06:27.000 Car 681 at 78th Street and Lexington Avenue. 06:27.000 --> 06:29.000 We were struck by another car 06:29.000 --> 06:33.000 while responding to the alarm of a fire, K. 06:33.000 --> 06:37.000 Anyone injured in Car 681, K? 06:37.000 --> 06:38.000 The operator was injured 06:38.000 --> 06:42.000 and possibly the driver of the other car, K. 06:42.000 --> 06:48.000 10-4, 6-20, 8, 88, 39-4. 06:48.000 --> 06:51.000 Are you all right? You don't look so good. 06:51.000 --> 06:52.000 I'll be all right. 06:52.000 --> 06:54.000 You want to get out? 06:54.000 --> 06:58.000 Yeah, I'll get out, just a second. 06:58.000 --> 07:02.000 Egan, look, will one of you people 07:02.000 --> 07:03.000 grab hold of my hand? 07:03.000 --> 07:04.000 I've got to climb over it. 07:04.000 --> 07:06.000 Hey, some of you men, help us. 07:06.000 --> 07:07.000 Don't stand there. 07:07.000 --> 07:08.000 Okay, ladies. 07:08.000 --> 07:10.000 Come on, sir. I got you. 07:10.000 --> 07:11.000 Come on. 07:11.000 --> 07:13.000 Easy. Easy now. 07:13.000 --> 07:16.000 Are you all right? 07:16.000 --> 07:17.000 Yeah, I'm okay. 07:17.000 --> 07:19.000 But you're sure now. 07:19.000 --> 07:21.000 I'm all right. Egan. 07:21.000 --> 07:22.000 Oh, my goodness. 07:22.000 --> 07:24.000 Can I do something for him? What can I do? 07:24.000 --> 07:26.000 The ambulance will be here right away. 07:26.000 --> 07:28.000 You'd better just let him stay there. 07:28.000 --> 07:30.000 Such a nice-looking young man. 07:30.000 --> 07:31.000 If he comes around, will you let me know? 07:31.000 --> 07:33.000 I want to talk to the driver of the other car. 07:33.000 --> 07:35.000 Oh, yeah. But you're sure you're all right. 07:35.000 --> 07:36.000 Now, you don't look so good. 07:36.000 --> 07:38.000 Yes, I'm all right. 07:44.000 --> 07:45.000 Are you hurt? 07:45.000 --> 07:46.000 No, I don't think so. 07:46.000 --> 07:48.000 I'm just a little bit shaken up, that's all. 07:48.000 --> 07:49.000 I think. 07:49.000 --> 07:50.000 What's your name? 07:50.000 --> 07:52.000 Creedy. Joseph L. Creedy. 07:52.000 --> 07:53.000 Where do you live? 07:53.000 --> 07:55.000 33 West 79th Street. 07:55.000 --> 07:58.000 You're supposed to pull over when you hear a siren. 07:58.000 --> 07:59.000 What? 07:59.000 --> 08:01.000 You're supposed to pull over and stop when you hear a siren. 08:01.000 --> 08:03.000 I didn't hear it. I'm sorry. 08:03.000 --> 08:04.000 Well, you were right on top of it. 08:04.000 --> 08:05.000 I didn't hear it. 08:05.000 --> 08:08.000 Didn't you see the police car making the turn? 08:08.000 --> 08:10.000 Yes, I saw it, but it was too late. 08:10.000 --> 08:12.000 I tried to stop it. It was just too late. 08:12.000 --> 08:14.000 Is the other policeman hurt? 08:14.000 --> 08:16.000 It looks like he's hurt, yes. 08:16.000 --> 08:18.000 Oh, that's too bad. That's very bad. 08:18.000 --> 08:20.000 There's an ambulance on the way. 08:20.000 --> 08:22.000 Were you heading home? 08:22.000 --> 08:24.000 Yes, about 11 years. 08:24.000 --> 08:26.000 I asked you if you were heading home. 08:26.000 --> 08:28.000 Oh, I'm sorry. I misunderstood you. 08:28.000 --> 08:30.000 I thought you asked if I'd been driving long. 08:30.000 --> 08:32.000 No, I was going to pick up a friend of mine. 08:32.000 --> 08:34.000 We were going out to dinner. 08:34.000 --> 08:35.000 Oh. 08:35.000 --> 08:37.000 She lives on East 66th Street. 08:37.000 --> 08:40.000 Have you had anything to drink, Mr. Creedy? 08:40.000 --> 08:41.000 Oh, no, I haven't had a thing to drink. 08:41.000 --> 08:43.000 Nothing. I don't drink much. 08:43.000 --> 08:45.000 All right. You stay right here. 08:45.000 --> 08:47.000 What did you say, sir? 08:47.000 --> 08:49.000 I said you stay right here. Stay in your car. 08:49.000 --> 08:51.000 Yes, all right. I hope he's not hurt bad. 08:51.000 --> 08:53.000 So do I. 08:53.000 --> 08:55.000 Well, there's some more policemen. 08:55.000 --> 08:56.000 Yes, I know. 08:56.000 --> 08:58.000 I'm sorry. I'm really awfully sorry. 08:58.000 --> 09:00.000 All right. All right. You just sit here. 09:00.000 --> 09:02.000 Yes, I will. 09:02.000 --> 09:04.000 Captain, are you all right? 09:04.000 --> 09:06.000 Yes, Mercado, I think so. 09:06.000 --> 09:08.000 The ambulance is on the way. 09:08.000 --> 09:10.000 Egan is hurt. 09:10.000 --> 09:12.000 Sergeant, did you take a look at Egan? 09:12.000 --> 09:14.000 Okay. I think he's hurt pretty bad. 09:14.000 --> 09:16.000 Must have hit up against the wheel. 09:16.000 --> 09:17.000 What happened, sir? 09:17.000 --> 09:21.000 Well, we were responding to the alarm of a fire, siren open. 09:21.000 --> 09:23.000 Egan was making a turn into this street. 09:23.000 --> 09:25.000 This fellow didn't stop. 09:25.000 --> 09:28.000 He hit us broadside and knocked us against the light pole. 09:28.000 --> 09:29.000 Are you sure you're all right? 09:29.000 --> 09:31.000 Yeah, yeah. I got a little bump on the head, 09:31.000 --> 09:33.000 but I don't think it's anything. 09:33.000 --> 09:35.000 Well, what is he, drunk or something? 09:35.000 --> 09:37.000 He claims he hasn't had a thing to drink. 09:37.000 --> 09:39.000 He was on his way to pick up a friend. 09:39.000 --> 09:41.000 Claims he didn't hear the siren. 09:41.000 --> 09:43.000 His car's a mess. He's not hurt, is he? 09:43.000 --> 09:45.000 No. 09:45.000 --> 09:47.000 Are you sure you're all right, Captain? 09:47.000 --> 09:49.000 I'm okay. Let's go over there. 09:49.000 --> 09:51.000 Yes, sir. 09:51.000 --> 09:54.000 Boy, it'll be a long time before this car's back in service. 09:54.000 --> 09:56.000 All right, come on. Let's through there, will you? 09:56.000 --> 09:59.000 Let's through. Let's move. There's nothing to see here. 09:59.000 --> 10:01.000 Give him a little air, huh? 10:01.000 --> 10:03.000 Did he come around, Sergeant? 10:03.000 --> 10:04.000 No, sir, he didn't. 10:04.000 --> 10:05.000 Are you all right? 10:05.000 --> 10:07.000 Yeah, I think so. 10:07.000 --> 10:10.000 Mercado, would you reach in there and get my cap for me? 10:10.000 --> 10:12.000 Yes, sir. 10:12.000 --> 10:13.000 Egan. 10:13.000 --> 10:15.000 Here you are, Captain. 10:15.000 --> 10:18.000 Mercado, get those people back on the sidewalk. 10:18.000 --> 10:20.000 All right, folks. Come on, let's go. 10:20.000 --> 10:22.000 Let's get the man a little air. 10:22.000 --> 10:24.000 He just rammed into us. 10:24.000 --> 10:26.000 If he didn't hear us, he should have seen us. 10:26.000 --> 10:28.000 Egan's not breathing very heavy. 10:28.000 --> 10:30.000 No, but he's breathing. 10:30.000 --> 10:33.000 Would you go to the call box there, Sergeant? 10:33.000 --> 10:34.000 Yes, sir. 10:34.000 --> 10:36.000 Bring the desk officer and tell him what we've got. 10:36.000 --> 10:38.000 Yes, sir. Right away, Captain. 10:38.000 --> 10:39.000 Mercado. 10:39.000 --> 10:40.000 Yes, sir. 10:40.000 --> 10:42.000 Get ready to give him a hand. 10:42.000 --> 10:44.000 Right, sir. 10:44.000 --> 10:47.000 Hey, do you think he's going to be all right? 10:47.000 --> 10:48.000 Yes, I hope so. 10:48.000 --> 10:49.000 So do I. 10:49.000 --> 10:51.000 But he doesn't look very good to me, not very good at all. 10:51.000 --> 10:54.000 Now, look, you better stand back up on the sidewalk, lady. 10:54.000 --> 10:56.000 I'm sorry, I didn't realize. 10:56.000 --> 10:57.000 Yeah, just stand up. 10:57.000 --> 10:58.000 All right, all right. 10:58.000 --> 11:00.000 Come on, now, let's have a little room in there. 11:00.000 --> 11:01.000 A little room. 11:01.000 --> 11:03.000 All right. All right, open up right there, huh? 11:03.000 --> 11:04.000 Hello, Captain. 11:04.000 --> 11:05.000 Hello, Doctor. 11:05.000 --> 11:07.000 Now, let's have a look at him. 11:07.000 --> 11:09.000 Hello. 11:09.000 --> 11:10.000 Yeah. 11:10.000 --> 11:12.000 What's it look like, Doctor? 11:12.000 --> 11:14.000 It's hard to tell a thing here. 11:14.000 --> 11:16.000 All right, let's put him on. 11:16.000 --> 11:18.000 You want me to get him on his feet? 11:18.000 --> 11:20.000 Let's take him out head first, all right? 11:20.000 --> 11:21.000 However you want it. 11:21.000 --> 11:23.000 You, you grab his feet as he comes out. 11:23.000 --> 11:25.000 Yes, sir. Okay, I'll do that. 11:25.000 --> 11:26.000 All right, officer. 11:26.000 --> 11:27.000 Easy with him now, easy. 11:27.000 --> 11:28.000 I've got him. 11:28.000 --> 11:29.000 Easy now. 11:29.000 --> 11:31.000 Up, up. 11:31.000 --> 11:32.000 Get his feet. Don't let him fall. 11:32.000 --> 11:34.000 Okay, Doc, okay, I got him. 11:34.000 --> 11:36.000 All right, put him on. Put him on now. 11:36.000 --> 11:38.000 That's it. Easy. 11:38.000 --> 11:40.000 All right, now, up into the ambulance, huh? 11:40.000 --> 11:41.000 Come on. 11:41.000 --> 11:43.000 I got this end. 11:43.000 --> 11:45.000 Grab that end down there, will you? 11:45.000 --> 11:47.000 That's it. Easy with him. 11:47.000 --> 11:50.000 Doctor, I want you to take a look at the driver of the other car. 11:50.000 --> 11:51.000 There? 11:51.000 --> 11:52.000 Yeah, he says he's all right. 11:52.000 --> 11:54.000 I'll look at him. Come on, easy there. 11:54.000 --> 11:56.000 Thanks, Doctor. 11:56.000 --> 11:57.000 How are you, Captain? 11:57.000 --> 11:58.000 Good, son. 11:58.000 --> 11:59.000 Excuse me, Captain. 11:59.000 --> 12:00.000 Yes? 12:00.000 --> 12:02.000 You want the other driver to go to the hospital? 12:02.000 --> 12:03.000 Well, if you think he should. 12:03.000 --> 12:05.000 All right, I'll have a look at him. 12:05.000 --> 12:08.000 What did he say about Egan? 12:08.000 --> 12:09.000 He can't tell a thing yet. 12:09.000 --> 12:10.000 Oh? 12:10.000 --> 12:12.000 Did you tell the desk officer what we've got? 12:12.000 --> 12:13.000 Yes, sir. 12:13.000 --> 12:15.000 And he told me something, too. 12:15.000 --> 12:16.000 What? 12:16.000 --> 12:18.000 The fire you were responding to, Captain. 12:18.000 --> 12:19.000 Yeah? 12:19.000 --> 12:21.000 It was a false alarm. 12:24.000 --> 12:26.000 You are listening to 21st Precinct, 12:26.000 --> 12:30.000 a factual account of the way police work in the world's largest city. 12:30.000 --> 12:32.000 You have a horrible feeling that something is wrong 12:32.000 --> 12:35.000 when the radio goes dead. 12:35.000 --> 12:37.000 You turn on the television set. 12:37.000 --> 12:39.000 Nothing there, either. 12:39.000 --> 12:41.000 You walk out on the street to look for your newspaper, 12:41.000 --> 12:44.000 but it isn't on your porch, your front lawn. 12:44.000 --> 12:46.000 No place. 12:46.000 --> 12:49.000 And then you notice the silence all around you. 12:49.000 --> 12:52.000 No voices. Not a one. 12:52.000 --> 12:54.000 The theater lights are off. 12:54.000 --> 12:56.000 The public auditorium is boarded up. 12:56.000 --> 12:58.000 You're frightened. 12:58.000 --> 13:00.000 You don't know what's wrong. 13:00.000 --> 13:02.000 I'll tell you what's wrong. 13:02.000 --> 13:04.000 You've just found out what it would be like 13:04.000 --> 13:06.000 to live under a system of government 13:06.000 --> 13:08.000 that controls the freedom of speech. 13:08.000 --> 13:11.000 There are such systems in the world today, 13:11.000 --> 13:15.000 but a group of men took care that it wouldn't happen to you. 13:15.000 --> 13:18.000 They did their work 165 years ago 13:18.000 --> 13:21.000 when they wrote the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. 13:21.000 --> 13:24.000 In the first article of those ten original amendments, they said, 13:24.000 --> 13:26.000 Congress shall make no law 13:26.000 --> 13:29.000 abridging the freedom of speech or of the press. 13:29.000 --> 13:32.000 Those men, men like Franklin and Jefferson, 13:32.000 --> 13:35.000 made it official, made it a law. 13:35.000 --> 13:38.000 Every time we have our say in public or in private, 13:38.000 --> 13:42.000 we're exercising that law, and exercise is good. 13:42.000 --> 13:44.000 If someone else doesn't like what we say, 13:44.000 --> 13:46.000 he's entitled to his own opinion, 13:46.000 --> 13:50.000 and he's entitled to voice it just as loudly and clearly as he wants. 13:50.000 --> 13:54.000 That's guaranteed by our Constitution, by our Bill of Rights. 13:54.000 --> 13:58.000 Freedom of speech. It's one of our freedoms. 13:58.000 --> 14:02.000 Now back to 21st Precinct and Captain Cannelli. 14:02.000 --> 14:04.000 In any calendar year, 14:04.000 --> 14:08.000 there are more than 78,000 fire alarms in the city of New York. 14:08.000 --> 14:12.000 The essential factors in fighting a fire are promptness of discovery 14:12.000 --> 14:15.000 and the speed with which firemen arrive on the scene. 14:15.000 --> 14:19.000 To each of these alarms, no less than four pieces of fire department apparatus 14:19.000 --> 14:22.000 and two police cars respond with the required speed. 14:22.000 --> 14:24.000 But speed has its hazards. 14:24.000 --> 14:28.000 As many or more firemen and police officers are killed and injured 14:28.000 --> 14:32.000 while responding to alarms as in the course of the fires themselves. 14:32.000 --> 14:36.000 An accident while responding to a fire is bad enough. 14:36.000 --> 14:40.000 While making a run to a false alarm, it's more than tragic. 14:40.000 --> 14:46.000 And during the last year, there were 13,981 false alarms in the city of New York. 14:46.000 --> 14:49.000 After a determination was made by the ambulance surgeon 14:49.000 --> 14:53.000 that the driver of the car which collided with our automobile was not injured, 14:53.000 --> 14:57.000 the ambulance left for Bellevue with patrolman Paul Egan. 14:57.000 --> 15:00.000 I remained on the scene until detectives arrived from the 21st squad 15:00.000 --> 15:02.000 of the Manhattan East Homicide Squad, 15:02.000 --> 15:05.000 which sends specialists to make technical investigations 15:05.000 --> 15:08.000 in all serious motor vehicular accidents. 15:08.000 --> 15:12.000 Sector car number four came by for me and took me back to the station house. 15:12.000 --> 15:14.000 There, Lieutenant Gorman, the desk officer, 15:14.000 --> 15:17.000 reported that he had been in touch with Bellevue Hospital 15:17.000 --> 15:19.000 in regard to the condition of patrolman Egan. 15:19.000 --> 15:22.000 The officer had not yet regained consciousness 15:22.000 --> 15:25.000 and at 6.20 p.m. was still in the X-ray room. 15:25.000 --> 15:29.000 I went out for a meal and when I returned at 10 minutes after seven, 15:29.000 --> 15:32.000 I went directly upstairs to the 21st detective squad 15:32.000 --> 15:35.000 where Joseph L. Creedy, a driver of the other car, 15:35.000 --> 15:39.000 had been brought for questioning by Lieutenant Matt King, the squad commander. 15:41.000 --> 15:43.000 Is Lieutenant King in his office? 15:43.000 --> 15:46.000 Yes, sir. He's in there, Captain. 21st squad. 15:46.000 --> 15:49.000 He's out on the first gate. Call back as soon as possible. 15:49.000 --> 15:52.000 Captain Cannelli. Good day, Captain. 15:52.000 --> 15:54.000 Hello, Matt. Captain. 15:54.000 --> 15:56.000 Mercado. Captain. 15:56.000 --> 15:59.000 Captain, you know Mr. Creedy? 15:59.000 --> 16:02.000 Oh, yes, yes. How's the policeman, Captain? Did you hear anything? 16:02.000 --> 16:04.000 Well, he's still unconscious. 16:04.000 --> 16:06.000 Oh, you don't know how bad I feel about this. 16:06.000 --> 16:09.000 We all feel bad, Mr. Creedy. Yes. 16:09.000 --> 16:11.000 What's your occupation, Mr. Creedy? What do you say? 16:11.000 --> 16:14.000 What do you do for a living? Oh, I'm a salesman. 16:14.000 --> 16:16.000 What do you sell? Light metal extrusions. 16:16.000 --> 16:19.000 What's that? Well, it's parts used by manufacturers in making almost anything, 16:19.000 --> 16:21.000 usually aluminum or aluminum alloy. 16:21.000 --> 16:26.000 Instead of molding the metal, an extrusion is made by pushing a heated bar through a die. 16:26.000 --> 16:28.000 Comes out whatever shape is desired. 16:28.000 --> 16:31.000 You know, it's something like your wife does when she makes cookies. 16:31.000 --> 16:34.000 Same principle. Is it a New York farm you work for? 16:34.000 --> 16:37.000 Oh, no, it's Chicago. I represent them in the middle Atlantic states. 16:37.000 --> 16:39.000 That's my territory. 16:39.000 --> 16:42.000 You travel a lot? Sir? 16:42.000 --> 16:45.000 I asked you if you traveled a lot. 16:45.000 --> 16:47.000 Oh, yes, all through my territory. 16:47.000 --> 16:51.000 I'm in the New York metropolitan area one week, out in my territory the next. 16:51.000 --> 16:54.000 Ever had an accident before? No, nothing serious. 16:54.000 --> 16:58.000 I banged up a fender once or twice getting in and out of tight parking spaces. 16:58.000 --> 17:01.000 But nothing where anyone was hurt. 17:01.000 --> 17:04.000 I drive about 40,000 miles a year, too. I travel in my car. 17:04.000 --> 17:07.000 Ever been arrested for a traffic offense, Mr. Creedy? 17:07.000 --> 17:10.000 Not in New York. Where have you been arrested? 17:10.000 --> 17:15.000 I was given a ticket in Connecticut, in Ridgefield, once for passing a stopped school bus. 17:15.000 --> 17:17.000 I thought it had started up again. 17:17.000 --> 17:20.000 When was that, recently? $25. 17:20.000 --> 17:23.000 I asked when it was, Mr. Creedy. 17:23.000 --> 17:26.000 Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you asked how much I was fined. 17:26.000 --> 17:29.000 It was three years ago, about. 17:29.000 --> 17:31.000 And that's the only time you were arrested on a traffic offense? 17:31.000 --> 17:35.000 I wasn't even arrested then. He just gave me a ticket to the state trooper. 17:35.000 --> 17:38.000 You ever arrested on any other occasion for any other offense? 17:38.000 --> 17:40.000 No. Never. Never in my life. 17:40.000 --> 17:44.000 Not even for another traffic offense? No, that was the only time. 17:44.000 --> 17:46.000 Did you see the police car before you hit it, Mr. Creedy? 17:46.000 --> 17:51.000 Yes, I saw it. It was too late to stop. I tried to, but it was too late. 17:51.000 --> 17:56.000 Captain, you were proceeding on Lexington Avenue with a siren wide open, is that right? 17:56.000 --> 17:59.000 Yes, it had been open for about two blocks. 17:59.000 --> 18:03.000 Didn't you hear the siren, Mr. Creedy? Is that why you failed to pull over and give him the right of way? 18:03.000 --> 18:04.000 I didn't hear the siren. 18:04.000 --> 18:09.000 You're aware that it's the law that you must pull to the right stop and give an emergency vehicle the right of way. 18:09.000 --> 18:11.000 Absolutely. Why didn't you do it this time? 18:11.000 --> 18:12.000 I didn't hear the siren. 18:12.000 --> 18:15.000 Mr. Creedy, a siren is designed to be heard by everyone. 18:15.000 --> 18:16.000 I didn't hear it. 18:16.000 --> 18:17.000 It's no excuse, you know. 18:17.000 --> 18:19.000 I'm not looking for any excuse, Lieutenant. 18:19.000 --> 18:22.000 Mr. Creedy, are you hard of hearing? 18:22.000 --> 18:23.000 No. 18:23.000 --> 18:26.000 You are, aren't you? 18:26.000 --> 18:28.000 What gives you that idea? 18:28.000 --> 18:31.000 I don't see how anyone could not hear the siren that close to him. 18:31.000 --> 18:35.000 Have you ever had any trouble with your ears, Mr. Creedy? 18:35.000 --> 18:39.000 You've missed a lot of questions that have been asked you. 18:39.000 --> 18:42.000 Yeah, I have some trouble. 18:42.000 --> 18:43.000 Sometimes. 18:43.000 --> 18:45.000 How were you able to get an operator's license? 18:45.000 --> 18:48.000 Well, I had the license before I had any trouble. I just kept on getting renewals. 18:48.000 --> 18:54.000 Aren't you aware of the fact that the renewal application inquires if you have any trouble hearing, any new physical disability? 18:54.000 --> 18:55.000 Yes, I'm aware of it. 18:55.000 --> 18:58.000 You failed to tell the truth when you filed your renewal application, is that right? 18:58.000 --> 19:03.000 I hear all right. Most of the time it's just on occasion that I have any trouble or I miss something. 19:03.000 --> 19:07.000 It was a pretty big occasion when you missed hearing that siren, wasn't it, Mr. Creedy? 19:07.000 --> 19:10.000 Yes, I suppose it was. 19:10.000 --> 19:13.000 You don't have to suppose, Mr. Creedy. 19:13.000 --> 19:15.000 Were you talking to me, sir? 19:15.000 --> 19:18.000 No, Mr. Creedy. 19:18.000 --> 19:20.000 I'm going down to the hospital, man. 19:20.000 --> 19:22.000 I'll walk out with you, Captain. 19:22.000 --> 19:23.000 Okay, man. 19:23.000 --> 19:26.000 I hope he comes out of it all right. 19:26.000 --> 19:31.000 If I were you, Mr. Creedy, I'd not only hope, I'd pray that he does. 19:33.000 --> 19:36.000 Well, are you almost finished with him, man? 19:36.000 --> 19:39.000 Yeah, I'm going to have Mercado book him right away. 19:39.000 --> 19:41.000 The man really bought himself some trouble, didn't he? 19:41.000 --> 19:46.000 Well, I don't feel sorry for him. He's physically incapable of driving a car. 19:46.000 --> 19:50.000 He shouldn't be driving one without wearing a hearing aid. 19:50.000 --> 19:53.000 Yes, you're right. How do you feel? 19:53.000 --> 19:54.000 Oh, all right. 19:54.000 --> 19:56.000 You were lucky to come out of it okay. 19:56.000 --> 19:59.000 A little bump on the head, that's all. 19:59.000 --> 20:00.000 Did it bother you? 20:00.000 --> 20:03.000 Oh, I had a headache when I got back to the station house. 20:03.000 --> 20:05.000 I took a couple of aspirin. 20:05.000 --> 20:07.000 Maybe you ought to have it looked at, Captain. 20:07.000 --> 20:08.000 No, it's okay. 20:08.000 --> 20:09.000 Yes. 20:09.000 --> 20:11.000 You going down to the hospital? 20:11.000 --> 20:14.000 Yeah, right now. I want to be back by ten. 20:14.000 --> 20:17.000 The borough chief said he might visit the precinct tonight. 20:17.000 --> 20:21.000 If there's any change in Egan's condition, will you call me direct, Captain? 20:21.000 --> 20:23.000 Yeah, Matt, I sure will. 20:23.000 --> 20:25.000 I'll be there in a minute. 20:25.000 --> 20:27.000 I'll be there in a minute. 20:27.000 --> 20:30.000 I went downstairs to the muster room where Lieutenant Gorman, the desk officer, 20:30.000 --> 20:34.000 told me that the 34th precinct in which Patrolman Egan resided 20:34.000 --> 20:38.000 had been unable to reach his wife to notify her of the accident. 20:38.000 --> 20:43.000 A babysitter told the notifying officer that she had gone to the home of a friend in the Bronx 20:43.000 --> 20:47.000 and was not expected home until shortly before midnight. 20:47.000 --> 20:51.000 The babysitter gave the notifying patrolman the address of the friend, 20:51.000 --> 20:55.000 and the 44th precinct was asked to make the notification. 20:55.000 --> 20:59.000 Sector car number three came by the house to drive me to Bellevue. 20:59.000 --> 21:02.000 Ordinarily, when a police officer is injured on the job, 21:02.000 --> 21:07.000 the commanding officer is required to make a complete investigation of the facts involved 21:07.000 --> 21:10.000 to determine if the injury was in the line of duty. 21:10.000 --> 21:13.000 In this case, I was aware of the facts of my own knowledge, 21:13.000 --> 21:16.000 and I entered them into the blotter. 21:16.000 --> 21:20.000 At the hospital, it was my intention to see the injured member of my command 21:20.000 --> 21:24.000 to make sure he got proper care and to wait for his wife. 21:24.000 --> 21:28.000 Patrolman Meister drove the RMP car into the hospital grounds 21:28.000 --> 21:31.000 at 30th Street and Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive. 21:31.000 --> 21:35.000 He parked the car adjacent to K Building, and I instructed him to wait. 21:35.000 --> 21:38.000 I walked into the emergency ward in I Building 21:38.000 --> 21:42.000 and through the corridor where I saw Sergeant Waters waiting. 21:44.000 --> 21:45.000 Sergeant? 21:45.000 --> 21:46.000 Oh, hello, Captain. 21:46.000 --> 21:47.000 How's Egan? Did you hear? 21:47.000 --> 21:48.000 Yes, sir. 21:48.000 --> 21:51.000 The district surgeon is here. He told me he saw the X-ray pictures. 21:51.000 --> 21:54.000 He's got three broken ribs from where he hit the steering wheel. 21:54.000 --> 21:56.000 Oh, what about his head? 21:56.000 --> 21:58.000 It's a bad cut, no fracture. 21:58.000 --> 22:01.000 Possible concussion. That's why he hasn't come around yet, the way I understand it. 22:01.000 --> 22:03.000 Well, what are you doing down here? 22:03.000 --> 22:05.000 Well, I was over at the division, officer. 22:05.000 --> 22:07.000 I thought I'd check on Egan as long as I was nearby. 22:07.000 --> 22:10.000 Good. Well, get rolling as soon as you can. 22:10.000 --> 22:11.000 Yes, sir. 22:11.000 --> 22:12.000 How do you feel? 22:12.000 --> 22:16.000 All right. A little headache before, but I took a couple of aspirin. 22:16.000 --> 22:17.000 Feeling all right now? 22:17.000 --> 22:19.000 Yeah, I'm all right. Why? 22:19.000 --> 22:21.000 I was just wondering. 22:21.000 --> 22:24.000 The district surgeon wanted to see you when you got here. 22:24.000 --> 22:25.000 He asked me to tell you. 22:25.000 --> 22:27.000 Oh, I want to see him too. Where is he? 22:27.000 --> 22:29.000 Down there in the office, you know. 22:29.000 --> 22:32.000 Yeah. Oh, Sergeant, would you go out to the car 22:32.000 --> 22:34.000 and tell Meister to come in and wait around for Mrs. Egan? 22:34.000 --> 22:35.000 I don't want to miss her. 22:35.000 --> 22:37.000 Yes, sir. I'll tell him. 22:37.000 --> 22:39.000 It's that little office there, isn't it? 22:39.000 --> 22:40.000 Yes, sir. 22:40.000 --> 22:41.000 All right. 22:41.000 --> 22:42.000 Right past the light there. 22:42.000 --> 22:47.000 All right. 22:47.000 --> 22:49.000 Yes? 22:49.000 --> 22:50.000 Captain Cannelli. 22:50.000 --> 22:53.000 Come in. 22:53.000 --> 22:54.000 Hello, doctor. 22:54.000 --> 22:56.000 Oh, Captain. 22:56.000 --> 22:57.000 How's Egan doing? 22:57.000 --> 22:58.000 He'll be all right, I think. 22:58.000 --> 23:00.000 He's beginning to stir around some. 23:00.000 --> 23:01.000 That's good. 23:01.000 --> 23:03.000 Three fractured ribs. 23:03.000 --> 23:07.000 The head injury is a possible concussion, but I think he'll be okay. 23:07.000 --> 23:08.000 Sit down. 23:08.000 --> 23:12.000 Well, I don't want to miss Egan's wife, doctor. 23:12.000 --> 23:14.000 You won't miss her. Sit down. 23:14.000 --> 23:17.000 Well, all right. 23:17.000 --> 23:19.000 How do you feel? 23:19.000 --> 23:21.000 All right. Pretty good. 23:21.000 --> 23:24.000 Which? All right or pretty good? 23:24.000 --> 23:26.000 All right. 23:26.000 --> 23:28.000 Let's see that bump on your head. 23:28.000 --> 23:30.000 Oh, it's nothing. 23:30.000 --> 23:32.000 Then it won't hurt to look, will it? 23:32.000 --> 23:34.000 Watch it. 23:34.000 --> 23:36.000 Tender, huh? 23:36.000 --> 23:40.000 Yeah, a little bit. 23:40.000 --> 23:42.000 Well, it's not bad. 23:42.000 --> 23:44.000 No? 23:44.000 --> 23:46.000 Wait a minute. What's that for? 23:46.000 --> 23:49.000 Nothing. I just want to shine this flashlight in your eye. 23:49.000 --> 23:51.000 Look over my right shoulder. 23:51.000 --> 23:54.000 And keep looking there even after I take the light away, okay? 23:54.000 --> 23:56.000 Why? 23:56.000 --> 23:59.000 Captain, do I tell you how to catch a thief? 23:59.000 --> 24:01.000 Okay. 24:01.000 --> 24:06.000 Huh? 24:06.000 --> 24:08.000 Yeah. 24:08.000 --> 24:09.000 What's the matter? 24:09.000 --> 24:11.000 Nothing. Now, let's try the other eye. 24:11.000 --> 24:12.000 What are you looking for? 24:12.000 --> 24:14.000 Just look over my left shoulder. 24:14.000 --> 24:17.000 All right. Go ahead. 24:17.000 --> 24:21.000 Hmm. 24:21.000 --> 24:24.000 Okay. Stand up. 24:24.000 --> 24:25.000 Well, what's the idea? 24:25.000 --> 24:27.000 We've got to wait anyway, don't we? 24:27.000 --> 24:29.000 Come on, stand up, Captain. 24:29.000 --> 24:31.000 All right. 24:31.000 --> 24:33.000 All right. Put both hands out in front of you. 24:33.000 --> 24:36.000 Palms down. That's it. 24:36.000 --> 24:38.000 Now spread your fingers. 24:38.000 --> 24:41.000 Turn your hands over. Palms up. 24:41.000 --> 24:43.000 That's it. 24:43.000 --> 24:45.000 All right. Now back. 24:45.000 --> 24:46.000 What are you looking for? 24:46.000 --> 24:48.000 You can't find anything until you look, can you? 24:48.000 --> 24:49.000 No. 24:49.000 --> 24:51.000 All right. 24:51.000 --> 24:53.000 Put your feet together. 24:53.000 --> 24:55.000 Toes together, too. 24:55.000 --> 24:57.000 All right. Now your hands down at your sides. 24:57.000 --> 24:59.000 Close your eyes. That's it. 24:59.000 --> 25:01.000 Now hold it there for a second. 25:01.000 --> 25:04.000 Hold it there. 25:04.000 --> 25:06.000 All right. You can look now. 25:06.000 --> 25:08.000 It's just a little bump on the head. 25:08.000 --> 25:09.000 Yeah. 25:09.000 --> 25:11.000 Sit down, Frank. 25:11.000 --> 25:12.000 Look, I'm all right. 25:12.000 --> 25:13.000 I know. 25:13.000 --> 25:15.000 Cross your left leg over your right. 25:15.000 --> 25:16.000 That's it. 25:16.000 --> 25:18.000 What are you doing? Testing my reflexes? 25:18.000 --> 25:20.000 Something like that. 25:20.000 --> 25:23.000 Ah, you see, I've still got a lot of bounce. 25:23.000 --> 25:26.000 But you don't know whether it's good or bad, do you? 25:26.000 --> 25:28.000 Cross your legs the other way. 25:28.000 --> 25:30.000 That's it. 25:30.000 --> 25:32.000 I'm okay. There's nothing wrong with me. 25:32.000 --> 25:37.000 Okay. Now open your mouth and very deeply breathe in and out until I tell you to stop. 25:37.000 --> 25:38.000 Now look, doctor. 25:38.000 --> 25:40.000 Go ahead. 25:45.000 --> 25:47.000 Okay. 25:47.000 --> 25:49.000 Feel a little dizzy? 25:49.000 --> 25:51.000 No. Not at all. 25:51.000 --> 25:54.000 Hmm. You should. 25:54.000 --> 25:56.000 Excuse me. 25:56.000 --> 25:58.000 Hello? 25:58.000 --> 26:00.000 Yes. 26:00.000 --> 26:02.000 Yes, I see. 26:02.000 --> 26:03.000 All right. 26:03.000 --> 26:05.000 I'll be right back there. 26:05.000 --> 26:07.000 Yeah, in a minute. 26:07.000 --> 26:09.000 Well, Egan has regained consciousness. 26:09.000 --> 26:10.000 Oh, good. 26:10.000 --> 26:11.000 Come on. 26:11.000 --> 26:13.000 Then you think he'll be all right? 26:13.000 --> 26:15.000 Oh, sure. 26:15.000 --> 26:17.000 Your headache's gone away? 26:17.000 --> 26:19.000 I took a couple of aspirin. 26:19.000 --> 26:21.000 Mm-hmm. 26:21.000 --> 26:23.000 That way, Captain. 26:23.000 --> 26:24.000 Captain? 26:24.000 --> 26:25.000 Yes, Sergeant? 26:25.000 --> 26:28.000 I've got eyes on him waiting down at the main desk for Mrs. Egan. 26:28.000 --> 26:30.000 Good. He regained consciousness. 26:30.000 --> 26:31.000 Oh, is he gonna be all right, doctor? 26:31.000 --> 26:32.000 I think he'll be fine. 26:32.000 --> 26:34.000 This way. 26:34.000 --> 26:36.000 Yes, you can't be too careful with these cases, can you? 26:36.000 --> 26:38.000 That's the point, Captain. We've gotta be. 26:38.000 --> 26:40.000 Oh, what? Did they say he was talking? 26:40.000 --> 26:43.000 Oh, yeah. A blue streak. 26:43.000 --> 26:44.000 And he's hungry. 26:44.000 --> 26:46.000 Well, that's a good sign. 26:46.000 --> 26:47.000 Usually. 26:47.000 --> 26:48.000 This'll be good news for his wife. 26:48.000 --> 26:50.000 Sure will, Sergeant. 26:50.000 --> 26:52.000 How many children does he have, Sergeant? 26:52.000 --> 26:53.000 Two, I think. 26:53.000 --> 26:55.000 Yeah, yeah, that's right. 26:55.000 --> 26:57.000 Where'd his wife have to come from? 26:57.000 --> 26:59.000 Well, they live in Washington Heights. 26:59.000 --> 27:00.000 But she was visiting in the Bronx. 27:00.000 --> 27:02.000 She was notified there at a friend's house. 27:02.000 --> 27:03.000 Mm-hmm. 27:03.000 --> 27:05.000 That can be an awfully long trip downtown 27:05.000 --> 27:07.000 when you hear your husband's been hurt. 27:07.000 --> 27:09.000 Yes, it sure can. 27:09.000 --> 27:10.000 Oh, doctor. 27:10.000 --> 27:11.000 Yeah? 27:11.000 --> 27:13.000 Don't they have Egan down there, down that corridor? 27:13.000 --> 27:15.000 Yes, but I'm not going there yet. 27:15.000 --> 27:18.000 I want to get some x-rays of that thing 27:18.000 --> 27:20.000 the captain carries around on his shoulders. 27:20.000 --> 27:23.000 I am all right. What are you talking about? 27:23.000 --> 27:25.000 I'm a skeptic, Captain. 27:25.000 --> 27:27.000 Sergeant, notify the desk officer 27:27.000 --> 27:31.000 that the captain is temporarily out of service. 27:35.000 --> 27:38.000 21st Precinct, Sergeant Waters. 27:38.000 --> 27:41.000 Wait a minute, just a second. Burglar's where? 27:41.000 --> 27:44.000 Yeah? Yeah? 27:44.000 --> 27:47.000 Well, what is that, an apartment house? 27:47.000 --> 27:51.000 Well, did you see them? What? 27:51.000 --> 27:53.000 Yeah, all right. 27:53.000 --> 27:56.000 Well, don't worry about that. We'll take care of it. 27:56.000 --> 27:58.000 No, you stay right there. 27:58.000 --> 28:01.000 21st Precinct, a factual account of the way the police work 28:01.000 --> 28:03.000 in the world's largest city, 28:03.000 --> 28:05.000 is presented with the official cooperation 28:05.000 --> 28:07.000 of the Patrolman's Benevolent Association, 28:07.000 --> 28:09.000 an organization of more than 20,000 members 28:09.000 --> 28:12.000 of the police department, City of New York. 28:12.000 --> 28:14.000 Everett Sloan and the role of Captain Cannelli, 28:14.000 --> 28:16.000 Ken Lynch, and the rest of the crew 28:16.000 --> 28:26.000 acts as officers and sollte cars on the following interviews. 28:26.000 --> 28:27.000 Thank you. 28:27.000 --> 28:33.000 G Barnes produced for CBS radio by John Ives Art Hanna speaking. This is the 28:33.000 --> 29:02.640 United States Armed Forces radio and television service. 29:02.640 --> 29:22.640 for Candy the Mental at recall. 30:02.640 --> 30:04.700 you