21st Precinct 56-04-12 (132) The Shopping Bag

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – “21st Precinct 56-04-12 (132) The Shopping Bag”

Overview

This episode from the legendary “21st Precinct” series dramatizes a day in the life of the NYPD as they respond to a tragic pedestrian accident involving an elderly woman and a taxi cab. The story follows the police investigation from the initial call through the aftermath, focusing on the procedural, emotional, and familial aspects involved. Themes include the randomness of tragedy, complexities of legal processes, and human responses to loss.

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Key Discussion Points and Story Flow

1. The Incident and Immediate Response (00:05 – 10:00)

• The Call Comes In ([00:05])

  • Sergeant Waters receives a report of a woman hit by a car at 73rd and 3rd. An ambulance is dispatched.
  • Captain Vincent P. Cronin narrates the routine start of his day and the deployment of patrolmen.
  • The gravity of the incident is quickly established—“Well, this is sure a fine way to start a new day. …It’s not as bad for you as it is for that woman.” (Capt. Cronin, [04:50])

• At the Scene ([05:25 – 10:06])

  • A crowd gathers. The victim, an elderly woman, is unconscious. Her shopping bag and pocketbook are collected as evidence.
  • The cab driver, Phil Ardino, is visibly shaken: “I’ve been pushing a hack for twelve years. The first time anything like this ever happened to me.” (Ardino, [05:51])
  • Ardino describes what happened, insisting he couldn’t have avoided the accident: “She stepped right up in between those two cars. ...Bang. What could I do?” ([07:45])
  • The woman is pronounced dead at the scene. Identification from her bag indicates she is Mrs. Mary Klotovi.

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2. The Investigation and Discovery (10:06 – 15:49)

• Processing the Scene and Victim’s Belongings

  • The police inventory Mrs. Klotovi’s possessions: a pocketbook with some cash and letters, and, unexpectedly, a shopping bag with nearly $10,000 in cash.
  • Notable exchange on the surprising sum:
    • “Where’d she get all that money? ...I’m gonna become a butler.” (Officer, [12:12])
    • “Within another few minutes, the count…was completed. It totaled $9,463.” (Narrator, [15:23])

• Detective Work Begins

  • Detective Louis DeLuca tracks down possible relatives, starting with addresses found in the victim’s belongings.

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3. Contacting the Family (15:49 – 20:29)

• Locating the Nephew ([16:00 – 20:06])
  • DeLuca visits the apartment of George Provost, Mary’s nephew. The news is delivered to a somewhat indifferent response:
    • “Well, I’m not what you’d call that close a relative. ...I got my own family, got my wife, my two kids. What am I supposed to do about it?” (George Provost, [17:58])
    • The prospect of inheritance changes his attitude: “She was carrying nearly 10 in cash when she was hit by the tax again… $10,000?” (Provost, [19:41])
    • Provost expresses renewed willingness to help: “I just want to be…all the assistance I can be. I want to help.” ([20:06])

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4. Legal and Procedural Aftermath (20:29 – 25:57)

• Closure for the Taxi Driver

  • Ardino is cleared of wrongdoing after witness corroboration and vehicle inspection:
    • “There’s no evidence of criminal negligence in this case. We’re releasing Mr. Ardino.” (Lt. King, [24:22])
    • Ardino remains shaken: “Can you imagine carrying around almost $10,000 in cash? …And one with $10,000 in cash …has got to step in front of my cab. How do you like that?” (Ardino, [23:55])

• Family Claims and Red Tape

  • George and his wife immediately inquire about the inheritance:
    • “How does he get it? I mean, after all, it’s ours. …Why all the red tapes?” (Mrs. Provost, [24:40]–[25:25])
    • The police explain the process: “It’s up to the public administrator to distribute it to the heirs on direction of the Surrogate’s Court. …The law, Mr. Floyd.” ([25:17])
  • Family frustration at bureaucracy and eagerness over the money are evident.

• Final Reflections

  • The police remark on the uncanniness of the day:
    • “Well, those are the first people I’ve ever seen who were so nice to the driver of a car that killed their relative.” (Lt. King, [25:58])
    • “Shouldn’t they be nice, Matt? He’s the one that found $10,000 for them.” (Captain Cronin, [26:01])

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “Why don’t people look where they’re going when they cross the street? Everybody’s always got something on their mind... if they don’t look, there’s a charm over them.” — Phil Ardino, [06:54]
• “I didn’t hit her hard. ...I don’t think I was going 25 miles an hour. She walked right in front of me. I hit her before I even had a chance to put on a brake.” — Phil Ardino, [06:30]
• “You mean she was dead? …Oh, that’s terrible. That’s awful. Wasn’t my fault. You know that.” — Ardino, [10:23]
• “I got my own family, got my wife, my two kids. What am I supposed to do about it? What do they want me to do?” — George Provost, [17:59]
• “Can you imagine carrying around almost $10,000 in cash? …And one with $10,000 in cash ...has got to step in front of my cab.” — Phil Ardino, [23:55]
• “Why all the red tapes?” — Mrs. Provost, [25:25]
• "Well, those are the first people I've ever seen who were so nice to the driver of a car that killed their relative." — Lt. King, [25:58]
• “Shouldn’t they be nice, Matt? He’s the one that found $10,000 for them.” — Captain Cronin, [26:01]

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Segment Timestamps

• [00:05] The accident call and initial muster of officers
• [05:25] Captain arrives on scene; interview with the cab driver
• [09:52] Victim pronounced dead
• [12:07] Police inventory the shopping bag’s contents
• [15:23] Money counted—$9,463 in the bag
• [16:00] Detective notifies Mrs. Klotovi’s nephew
• [19:41] Nephew learns about the inheritance
• [20:29] Cab driver is cleared; family claims process explained
• [25:58] Police reflect on the day's events and the family’s reaction

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Tone and Style

The episode maintains a factual and procedural tone, reflecting the no-nonsense, emotionally restrained approach of classic radio police dramas. Police officers speak in clear, concise, and sometimes gruff language, while the family’s emotional responses range from indifference to eager opportunism. The story is driven by dialogue and narration, immersing the listener in the day-to-day reality of city policing in the mid-20th century.

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This episode stands out for its juxtaposition of a sudden, tragic event with the bureaucracy and emotional ambiguities that follow it—a hallmark of the “21st Precinct” series and the golden age of radio drama.

Transcript

[A]

21st Precinct. Sergeant Waters. What do you mean he hit a woman with a car? Where is this? Where was she hurt? How bad is she hurt? Is the driver still there? You are by transcription in the muster room at the 21st Precinct. The nurse center. A call is coming through. You will follow the action taken pursuant to that call from this minute until the final report is written in the 124 room at the 21st Precinct. All right. Tell them I'm sending the ambulance right over there. Yeah, right away. Answer, Morphson. They'll be there too. Okay, 21st Precinct. It's just lines on the map of the city of New York. Most of the 173,000 people wedged into the 9/10 of a square mile between Fifth Avenue and the east river wouldn't know if you asked them that they lived or worked in the 21st. Whether they know it or not, the security of their homes, their persons and their property is the job of the men of the 21st Precinct. The 21st. 160 patrolmen, 11 sergeants and four lieutenants, of whom I'm the boss. My name is Cronin. Vincent P. Cronin. I'm captain in Command of the 21st Precinct. I was doing day duty 8am to 6pm at 2 minute stage. Sergeant Waters on TS rang into my office and told me the 8 to 4 platoon was ready to turn out. I got up from behind my desk and walked out the office and crossed the muster room. Lieutenant Gorman. The desk officer, pressed a button that rang a bell in the back room. And the 47 men who would patrol the streets of the precinct for the next eight hours marched out in a military manner and formed ranks in front of the desk. The roll was called for entry into the block. Eisman, Morelli, Jacoby, Webber. All right, you men. Few things. All public schools in the borough of Manhattan will hold fire drills sometime during. All men are regularly assigned to school crossings. Will inquire the principals exactly what time the drills are scheduled. The school crossings will be covered during the fire drills. Secondly, special detail of Department of Sanitation inspectors will be at work in the precinct beginning today through Saturday. Their job is to see the trash cans kept covered and sidewalks are clean in front of the buildings and that rubbish is not swept into the street. There'll be a lot of summonses issued. You men on post have a lot of information in regard to habitual offenders of this nature. You'll see the Department of Sanitation man around. Give them all the assistance you can. Nice office. Dragon, post the platoon Platoon attend shoot. Right face. Forward. Captain Yaron, what about that strike over there at the laundry? Still quite by noon. Can I take that man out the fixer over there? Well, yeah, if they're still down at one ticket run. Yes, they will. They were yesterday. Just a second. Right. I want to see what this is coming in. Yeah, well, if you heard bad, but that's being struck by a cab, Captain. All right, stay right there and wait for the officers. Yeah, I'm sending the ambulance. Okay, 21st precinct. Sergeant, water CB a female pedestrian struck by a taxi cab at 73rd and 3rd. Yeah, send an ambulance over the call box there. Okay. What have you got, Sergeant? A woman struck by a taxi cab at 73rd and 3rd. That was a cab driver ranging on a call box. Is he right, Ben? He says she's unconscious. Pretty old woman, he said. Stepped out between two parked cars. All right, I'll roll on it. Notify the detectives. Yes, sir. Do you want me to get a car in here for you, Captain? No, one of them ought to be out in front of the building by now. And relief. I'll grab it. Okay, Captain, as soon as I sign the plotter. Yes, sir. Well, this is sure a fine way to start a new day. Don't worry about it, Sergeant. It's not as bad for you as it is for that woman. After I signed the blotter and went into my office for my coat, I walked out onto the sidewalk. In front of the station house. The crews of sector car number two and number five were waiting for the men who had been working them on radio motor patrol from midnight to 8am to show up for their relief inspector. Car number two was the first to arrive as patrolman William Kane made a quick inspection of the car and recorded the mileage and gasoline gauge reading as required. I instructed the recorder patrolman Eugene Dillon to report to the desk officer that I would take this car to the scene. I got in and we drove to 73rd street and 3rd Avenue. As we neared the intersection, I could see that a considerable crowd had gathered. On hand were two other sector cars. Get in there as close as you can. I give my hand with the crowd.

[B]

All right.

[A]

All right, Comic, go here, please. Open up there. Police officer. Hello, Captain Scobby doesn't look so good, does she? No, sir. What about the ambulance? Oh, the call came over. Ambulance responding. All right, wait a minute. So Martin put in another call? Yes, sir. Now, what's this? Oh, it's the property she was carrying shopping bag and a pocketbook. Where were they well, the pocketbook was still around her wrist. Shopping bag was knocked a couple of feet. I brought it back. I don't think she's gonna make it. Captain. Why's the cab driver? Oh, I told him to sit in his car. All right. You stay here. You want to talk to the driver? Yes, sir. All right. All right. You want to open the drying? Yeah. I've been pushing a hat for 12 years. The first time anything like this ever happened to me. I never even scratched a fender. He stepped right out of it, in between those two cars, right in front of me. Look at me. I'm shaking like a leader. It's all right. Calm down, huh? What's your name? Ardino. Phil Ardino. How do you spell that? T, R, D, I, N, O. How old are you, Phil? 33. What do you let 931 happen? Away. How is she? She gonna be all right? She didn't look very good to me. I mean, I got out of the cab, I saw her laying there. Looked like curtains. I don't know. I didn't hit her hard. I don't think I was going 25 miles an hour. She walked right in front of me. I hit her before I even had a chance to put on a brake. Yeah. Can I see your chauffeur's light? Yeah, sure. I got it right here. Wait one second. Look at me. Like a leaf. I can't hold still. Yeah. All right. Okay. Calm down. I'm trying. I'm trying. Here. Here you are. All right. Are this your car, or does it belong to a fleet? No, it belongs to a fleet, a small fleet. Agno Transportation. Isn't there no ambulance coming for her? I mean, how come the delay? It's just coming. Don't worry. It's like I'm sitting here for hours. It's only been a couple of minutes. It'll be here. You think she's gonna be all right? We'll see when the ambulance gets here. I hope so. Why don't people look where they're going when they cross the street? Everybody's always got something on their mind. I don't know where to get the idea that if they don't look, nothing's gonna hit em. That if they don't look, there's a charm over them. I mean, she's an old lady, and that has to be taken into consideration. Everything like that. All right. A driver of a car's got to be careful, but he needs a little help from the people who cross in the streets. I mean, they Gotta look, she stepped right up in between those two cars.

[B]

Bang.

[A]

What could I do? You didn't have any passenger in back? No, no, I was riding light. I mean, she's supposed to cross in an intersection, isn't she? She was crossing almost the middle of the block. Honestly.

[B]

Look, she comes off from between two

[A]

parked cars, what could I do? I never had an accident. Huh? I swear. Never. I've been pushing a hack since I got out of the Army. I never even scratched a fender. You got many summonses for a traffic offense, you mean? Yes. A couple of years ago, I got a summons. For what? For red lights. You pay a fine? Sure, I paid a fine. How often have they had you down to the Hack Juror? I haven't been there for about two years now. What was that for? Well, I parked the car, I jumped in for some coffee. A hack inspector gave me a violation. What? What'd you get out of it? I got a day suspension. Plus the day I lost going down to Bureau. Honest. She stepped right out from in front of me. I swear, I couldn't have missed her if I was going two miles an hour. It was like she had her head down. She started to run across the street. She didn't look nothing. You think that's the end of this? Yeah, sounds like it. I hope she's gonna be all right. I hope so, too. Get this day shot for me, huh? Captain? Yeah? The detective don't want to talk to you. Detectives. What are we gonna need detectives for? I mean, it's clear what happened. I got a witness who's seen the whole thing. A fella standing right in the corner. Got his name and everything. He said he'd tell you what he saw. Now, you give that to the detective. All right, get set here, huh? Where am I gonna go? All right, now I have to get back on the sidewalk. Go on, get back there, please. Back there. Okay, okay. Wait a minute here, will you? Now, move back.

[B]

Move back.

[A]

Come on.

[B]

That.

[A]

Back on the sidewalk.

[B]

How is he? Hit by car?

[A]

Yeah, the taxi cab.

[B]

All right, let me take a look. Hello, Captain.

[A]

Hello, Doctor.

[B]

Looks pretty bad.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Officer, would you hold your head?

[A]

Yes, sure.

[B]

Just put your hands over both of your ears. Just safely up.

[A]

All right, look, how many times I have to tell your Babel Hunt. Get back on the sidewalk. There's nothing for you to say. Yes? Hi, Dylan. Yes, sir. Yeah, well done.

[B]

Nothing we can do for a captain. She's doa. Yes. Must have gotten a pretty hard snack. I'm sorry.

[A]

All right, tiger.

[B]

We'll Roll okay?

[A]

Yeah. All right, go ahead.

[B]

Got a name on this?

[A]

No, not yet.

[B]

I'll see you.

[A]

Well, it didn't look like much else, captain. No, can. Tell him. Yes, captain. Look, why don't you ring into the desk officer, notify the medical examiner. Get a policewoman over here. Oh, and we need a waterproof covering. If you don't have one in the car, ride the station house. Get one. Colby. Yes, Sir. Got a 95 tag in your book? Yeah, I got one, captain. All right. Get out your memorandum book. Okay. Get a pocketbook and a shopping bag. Yeah, I got them. What's the matter? Why didn't the ambulance take you? Seen it as a D. All right, sir. You mean she was dead? Yeah. I don't know. Oh, that's terrible. That's awful. Wasn't my fault. You know that. I didn't mean to do it. She stepped out right between those two cars. I couldn't have missed her if I tried. Yeah. Okay, fella, just take it easy. Terrible. Open up the pocketbook, Toby, See if there's any identifications. Yes, sir, Mister. A letter from the New York State Employment service addressed to Mrs. Mary Klotovi. I guess that's Kotovi. K, L, H, C, o, V, Y. 728 East 97th Street. Did he get to her? Yeah, I must be. Let's see. It instructs her to come to the office in regards to employment as a domestic. What does that mean? She's a maid or a cook, something like that. That's right. Let me see. A Social Security card made out to a Mary Quetilvi. All right. Yes, sir. What about the shopping bag, Captain? Oh, I take that into the house. Okay. I don't know. That poor old lady. Why does it always have to happen to somebody like her? Because you guys always got the rich ones riding in the back seats, that's why. A UF95 identification tag was placed around the wrist of the victim and the body was transferred to the Bellevue Mortuary in the morgue wagon, which arrived shortly afterwards. All uniformed men, with the exception of Patrolman Jacoby, were directed to resume patrol as soon as the morgue wagon left and his other duties at the scene were completed. Patrolman Jacoby took the victim's pocketbook and the shopping bag into the station house, and the desk officer recorded the property in the blood. Oh, Lieutenant, I got the property of that accident victim here. Yeah. You all cleaned up over there? Yes, sir. What's in the purse? Let me see. One black pocketbook, two letters addressed to Mrs. Mary Kotovi. Let me see. One is in Polish or Hungarian or something like that. Yeah. Pill box. Doctor's prescription. Pair of glasses. Bifocals, I guess. Handkerchief combination. Change purse. How much is in there? 1, 2, 3 dollars. No, no. $3, 40, 50, 63 cents. Two subway tokens. All right. What's that? Oh, that's the shopping bag she had with her. What's in there? This newspaper stuff on top. All right. Three or four paper bags in the bottom. Okay, I'll go. Pair of shoes. All right. Let me see a couple of aprons. Looks like housewives aprons. Yeah, Brother. What was she running, a bank? That stuff real? It's real enough. There's more on this one here. Where'd she get all that money? You know what housemaids get in this day and age? I'm gonna become a butler. All right, Jacoby, start counting it out. Yes, yes. Let me see. Fifty hundred and fifty. 2003-003504-00450. 550. 650. 750. A regular mint. 850. Let me see. 9000-001002-00250, 350. He hasn't made it that much. 400. War 50. 5001-600170-01800. You are listening to 21st Precinct a factual account of the way police work in the world's largest city. Clarity, impartiality and insight are three words which well describe the distinguished radio reporting of Edward R. Murrow. Clarity guarantees that you'll get all the facts you need. Impartiality guarantees that the facts are presented as is without bias or coloring. And insight guarantees that the facts are presented interestingly and vividly. The moral manner of news reporting compels attention and respect. Listen to CBS radio every weekday night when Edward R. Murrow reports the news on most of these same stations. And now back to Captain Cronon and 21st Precinct. Within another few minutes, the count of the money in the victim's shopping bag was completed. It totaled $9,463. In the meantime, the cab driver had been taken to the house by 21st Squad detectives whose job it was to determine whether any criminal negligence was involved. Detective Louis DeLuca had been assigned by Lt. King, commander of the 21st Squad to make an investigation and locate either relatives of or close friends of the victim. His search took him first to her apparent address, 728 E. 97th St. After examining the contents of the room and interviewing the superintendent of the building he Drove to an apartment house on West 186th street in Washington Heights. There he took the self service elevator to the fourth floor and walked down the hall to apartment 4D.

[B]

Now, who is I?

[A]

Is this the residence of Mr. George Provost? Provost?

[B]

Yeah, who is it?

[A]

Is Mr. Provost home? On the police officers.

[B]

What's the matter?

[A]

I'm Detective DeLuca of the 21st squad. Is Mr. Provost home?

[B]

Yeah, he's here with Mather.

[A]

I'd like to talk to him. Are you Mrs. Provost?

[B]

Yeah, that's right too.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

George. Got the news on in there, George? Someone here, A detective.

[A]

Just waiting for the chance to show you how well they can do this.

[B]

Listen to every news Suit I listen. Same news you've got to listen to all over and over again.

[A]

Boy, I'm telling you. Here it is the middle of April and politics flying fast and furious already. The election was tomorrow. You're a detective? Yeah, that's right. Louis DeLuca of the 21st squad. Well, what can I do for you? Let's provoke. Do you have an aunt named Miss. This is Mary Clotovi. Yeah, that's right. It's my mother's sister. She lives at 728 E. 97th St. Well, I don't know just where she lives. I haven't seen her in years.

[B]

I think she does have that.

[A]

George. What's the trouble? Well, I'm afraid that I've got some bad news for you, Mr. Crowland. Yeah? She was walking on Third Avenue today. She stepped out from between two parked cars and a taxi cab hit her. You heard that?

[B]

Not bad, is it?

[A]

Yes, ma', am, that's right. She is dead. I'm sorry. That's too bad. That's too bad. From what I remember, she was a pretty nice lady. Yeah. I understand you're the only relative, Mr. Provost. Well, I guess so, in this country. My mother's dead. Her sister was a widow for 20 years. She never had any children. I suppose I am the only relative.

[B]

Well, what are we supposed to do about it?

[A]

Well, we'd like Mr. Provost at the come to Bellevue and identify the body. Why? Well, it's just a matter of procedure. We always try to get a close relative in cases like this and notify them. Well, I'm not what you'd call that close a relative. But you are the closest, I said. Well, what does that mean? It's my aunt. I haven't seen her in years. Not since my mother's funeral, as a matter of fact. Now, look, mister, I'm sorry and all that, But I don't think it's any of my responsibility.

[B]

I'm heard from in years.

[A]

That's right. I. I got my own family, got my wife, my two kids. What am I supposed to do about it? What do they want me to do? Arrange for the funeral and everything? Well, we thought you might like to, being the closest relative. Well, supposing she was my third cousin or something like that. Would you expect it if I was still the closest relative? We'd notify you.

[B]

Does she still live in that furious room over there all by herself with nothing over there?

[A]

Yes, that's right, Mrs. Bohol. Hey, wait a minute. She was hit by a taxi cab, huh? Yeah. 73rd street and 3rd Avenue. Whose fault was taxi cab? I mean, was it the driver's fault? Did he just hit her and run away? Was it his fault? Well, we can't say whose fault it was yet. But she was crossing the street in the middle of the block. She came out from between two parked cars. He was going slow.

[B]

Well, then it was her fault.

[A]

It could have been.

[B]

Well, I don't see why they expect us to take care of a funeral expectation and all that. We got no money for that. And she didn't mean that much stuff.

[A]

Well, nobody asked you to take care of any expenses.

[B]

Well, somebody will if we get involved, making arrangements and all that. Don't go, George. Don't be a fool.

[A]

I've got to be to work at noon anyway. I. I can't go down there. I. I can't lose a day's work from the job. But you still have time to come to Bellevue and make an identification.

[B]

Don't do it, George. You'll only get involved. You got no responsibility.

[A]

That's right. I don't want to get involved. I don't want to get stuck for any of the expenses. Well, I don't think you will, Mr. Provost. It appears that your aunt had a little money. Bitch. Yeah.

[B]

I hope it's enough to cover the funeral expenses.

[A]

It is, and then some. What do you mean, and then some? How much more was there? Well, we're not sure altogether, Mr. Provost. She might have had some bank accounts in addition to the cash.

[B]

What cash?

[A]

She was carrying nearly 10 in cash when she was hit by the tax again. $10,000? Yes, that's right. Are you sure it's my aunt?

[B]

Of course he's sure, George.

[A]

Yeah, it was her.

[B]

Jackie, do you want you to make an identification and arrange for the funeral? I think you ought to. After all, she was your closest relative.

[A]

Oh, Sure. I intend to do everything I could.

[B]

I remember she was a nice old lady.

[A]

Really nice. Yeah. She was always good to me when I was a kid. She was. Was crazy about my mother. I'll do anything I can to help you, Detective Deluca. Deluca. Yeah, anything. I. I just want to be. Of all the assistance I can be. I want to help. Well, you can come over to Bellevue with me and identify. And then what? And then just as soon as the medical examiner releases the body, you can make any funeral arrangements that you want.

[B]

Well, where's the money?

[A]

It was taken to the 21st Precinct station house. It'll be safe there once. Well, it couldn't be much safer. It's entered in the blotter and we'll be turned over to the property clinical department. Almost no aspersions meant. I was just concerned. I'm the closest relative, you know? Yeah, I know. Meanwhile, at the station house, Philip Ardino, the driver the taxi cab, had been taken to the 21st Detective Squad on the second floor. The detectives got his version of what had happened, and he was asked to wait for a while until the tests made by the accident investigating squad on his vehicle had been completed. He sat on a wooden bench in the corner of the office, reading the morning tabloids. Finally, Lieutenant Matt King, the commanding officer of the 21st Squad, opened the door to his office and walked toward the bench. Mr. Ardino? Yeah. I'm Lieutenant King. Oh, how do you do? You come into my office for a minute, Mr. Ardino. Sure, sure. Indian. Everything's going to be all right, isn't it? How long do I have to stay here? Sit down. Okay. I had to send the detective who's been talking to you out on another case. Oh, that's all right. He told me what your story was. He told me that he spoke to the witness whose name you had written down. The witness verified your story. That's the absolute truth. She stepped out from between two parked cars. Nobody could have seen her. Right in the middle of the block there. Anybody who happened to be coming along at that time? Yes, that's what he said it looked like. And the officers who checked out your car just called me, said the brakes and the steering, apparatus and everything are in working order. Absolutely. My fleet wouldn't let a car out of the garage unless they were in perfect working order. Well, what we're going to do, we're just going to let you go. If there's anything else develops in this case where we need you, we'll be in touch with you? Oh, by all means. Okay. You mean that's all? Except one thing. As a matter of form or report of this accident, we'll go to the hack bureau, hear from them. I knew I could count on that. If you come on downstairs with me, I'll get the keys to your cab for you. The officers who checked your car left them with the desk officer. Yeah, I'm going downstairs. I'll be right back. All right. Okay, folks. How do you feel, Phil? Well, still a little shaky, you know. Go ahead. What are you going to do the rest of the day? You're not going to work me. I say nothing. Take that car up to the garage and leave it there. I'm gonna knock off the rest of the day. Good idea telling me something like this can really start you shaking. You know what I mean? Yeah, I know what you mean. All right. Right over to that desk. Ms. Gardino. Matt, Brad, the keys to his hack will us here. Can I have them? Yeah, sure. There they are. Take them up. Bill? Yeah? Are you all straighten away man? Oh, yeah, captain, we're fine. Captain, I'd like you to know I appreciate everything you fellas did under the circumstances. It was pretty tough for me. I want you to know that you and the men around here were okay, and I appreciate it. Okay, Sal. Thanks. Who's gonna get all that money she had with her? Can you imagine carrying around almost $10,000 in cash? 9 million people in the city of New York, and one with $10,000 in cash. Cash and a shopping bag has got to step in front of my cab. How do you like that? Why did you have to pick on me? Just walk right over there, folks. Hello, Lieutenant. Hello, Captain. How's. Hello again. This is Mr. And Mrs. George Provost. He's a nephew of that woman who was hit by the cab this morning. Oh, yeah. How do you do? Hello, how are you?

[B]

Hello.

[A]

This is Phil Ardino, the driver of the cab. Mr. And Mrs. Provost. Oh, listen, I, I, I want to touch you. I'm sorry. These officers will tell you that it wasn't my fault. Honest. She walked right out from between two parked cars. Mr. Provost, I want you to know that there's no evidence of criminal negligence in this case. We're releasing Mr. Ardino. We're releasing his car. Well, I understand that. It's just too bad it had to happen, that's all. That's the way I feel about it. I appreciate your attitude. All right, so you better get going. Well, how do we know where to get in Touch with him if we want to send the records. Go on, Phil. Yeah, thanks. I'm awful sorry. Well, is this where they got my aunt's money? Yeah, that's right. In the custody of the desk officer.

[B]

Well, he's the closest relative. How does he get it? I mean, after all, it's ours. It is ours. He's got nobody else. Can't we get it now?

[A]

No, you can't get it now.

[B]

Well, I don't see why not.

[A]

Well, may.

[B]

We're giving her a nice funeral. Do we have to lay out the money for that?

[A]

Money? To cover the funeral expenses. Well, at least why can't we see it? You can't see it. I told you that Mr. Provost. I told you that you couldn't see it. Well, whose is it? It's mine, isn't it? Or it's going to be. The money is going to be sent down to the property clerk of the department. If you're not left a will, the will will be probated and this becomes part of her estate.

[B]

She didn't leave a will. She's in the old country. She didn't know anything about will.

[A]

Then it's up to the public administrator to distribute it to the heirs on direction of the Stargate's court. Look, why do we have to go through all that rigamarole? We're the only heir she had. Nobody else. Just us. Why all the red tapes? The law, Mr. Floyd.

[B]

What about what's in a room over there? I understand there might be some more money over there. And some bank books, maybe some bonds and things like that. What about what's over there?

[A]

Any public administrator will go over there and make an inventory. You can arrange. Go in and. Well, what can I do about it? I'm entitled to get my hands on that money. It is mine. I suggest you see your lawyer in a troll.

[B]

Wait a minute. We're entitled to some information. Amazing.

[A]

You will talk to the desk officer over there. He'll give you all the information you want. His name is Lieutenant Gman.

[B]

Matt.

[A]

You want to come in my office for a minute? Yeah, sure, Captain. I'll see you upstairs. Right. Well, those are the first people I've ever seen who were so nice to the driver of a car that killed their relatives. Well, I. Shouldn't they be nice, Matt? He's the one that found $10,000 for them. 21st Precinct. Sergeant Waters. Who? What happened? He fell off a truck. 21st Precinct transcribed a factual account of the way police work in the world's largest city is presented with the official cooperation of. Of the Patrolman's Benevolent association, an organization of more than 20,000 members of the Police Department, City of New York. James Gregory in the role of Captain Cronin. Ken lynch as Lieutenant King. Harold Stone as Sergeant Waters. Featured in tonight's cast were Santa Sotega, Frank Moss, John Laren, Bill Zuckert, Mandel Kramer and Elspeth Eric. 21st Precinct is written, produced and directed by Stanley Nist. Roger Foster speaking.