An off-duty cop from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, was barhopping with some buds when he mowed down a woman. His BAC-reading–postponed eight hours–came out 0.0. Is cronyism at play?

EUGENE WYCHOWSKI, 57, LOWER EAST SIDE, NEW YORK

Did you hear about the news story I just summed up above your head?

I don’t believe police nothing. They are crooks.

This is becoming a theme.

They are crook. I wasn’t drunk. They call you an ambulance and they take you to the hospital. You sleep three, four hours, and then they tell you you’re fine. They take urine, blood—no alcohol. I don’t drink, but get out. I have Medicaid and they don’t like that. If you have private insurance it’s very different. Now I don’t want to go to hospital—only problems later. I want to rent a room. I have the money in my bank account. There are many rooms to rent, but they will not give proof of renting because they are not paying taxes or something. I need proof to show SSI for my medication for my depression.

Is that shelter you were talking about the other day the brick one over there?

Uh-huh. The employees steal from a lot of guys. The guys go to hospital? They take their stuff before they get back. I know how. They stole my things! They told me to go to the Salvation Army—they got for me. I said, “I don’t need from Salvation Shit!” I need my stuff. Gone. I have my locker with lock. Who can open that? They can!

That sucks.

I had clothes in there, savings. Everything.

Shavings? Looks like you’ve gone a while without one.

Ah.

Beards are very popular now. Just saying.

I don’t know.

How long have you been here?

This is long story. I moved from Chicago years ago. I had a carpentry shop. I had a lot of staff—everything for job. This situation makes me sick. I don’t want to think.

GRACE FREEMAN, 76, WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NEW YORK

Did you hear about the cop in Brooklyn who was driving drunk and killed a lady?

I did. I listen to the WCBS every day. 880 on your dial. I like Tom Kaminski—he’s my man! He’s got a way about him that makes you feel like he’s in charge. But anyway, so that cop ran over that woman. Cops shouldn’t be drinking to begin with.

They should be teetotalers.

I think they should be, yes. I’m kind of old-fashioned. Police officers are role models for you younger people. There are undercover cops in all the nightclubs. I don’t like that, but I don’t go to nightclubs or pick up men. I never had to.

They would pick you up.

You got that right! They would try, but I’m pretty fussy. I’ve never been with a man I wasn’t married to, but plenty asked me. That was insulting.

Wasn’t it a little flattering, too?

No. I was quite attractive in those days. I had blonde curly hair, all my teeth, and a figure just like Marilyn Monroe. I wasn’t copying her—it was just a style I liked. The men liked that style, too. When I was living in San Francisco, which was a town full of sailors—believe you me, I never had any trouble with men.

CHARLES SMITH, 34, EAST VILLAGE, NEW YORK

Did you hear?

There a lot of stuff that happens in Brooklyn. That same thing happened to me, man. I got my feet and knees smashed by a car going 100 mph through Time Square. I was only walking to cross the street but if I’d been running I’d be in some heavy shit. I wasn’t able to walk for six months. I just got in some crutches.

[somebody approaches from behind and hugs me]

Giovanni!

Giovanni: Listen, we’re going to need more beer. Give us some money.

Charles: He’s cool man, he already helped us out.

Giovanni: I’m a fuckin’ marine. Give me a dollar.

Charles: He’s a real street dude.

Giovanni: If you walk up to that store, I will give you my card.

Why would you trust a stranger with your money?

Giovanni: Because Charles says he knows you.

We just met.

Giovanni: I’m going to give you some money to get beer.

Won’t they deal with you?

Giovanni: No. I just don’t want to walk that fucking far.

That’s 20 feet. Do you know how painful it is for Charles to walk 20 feet?

Giovanni: Oh you’re a real smart guy, are you?

Charles: Shut the fuck up, Giovanni.

-PETER MADSEN

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