They Keep People Safe | 1

The NYPD’s origins are rooted in systemic corruption and the active enforcement of slavery rather than public safety. In the 19th century, police constables like Tobias Boudinot operated as part of a "Kidnapping Club," exploiting their authority to capture free Black individuals and sell them into Southern slavery for profit. This predatory system faced fierce resistance from Black activists, most notably David Ruggles, who established the New York Committee of Vigilance to protect the community through direct action, legal defense, and public exposure of police misconduct. By examining these historical patterns, the narrative challenges the prevailing myth that policing has always functioned to protect all citizens. Instead, it reveals that the department’s foundational role was to maintain order for powerful interests by targeting vulnerable populations, a legacy that continues to shape contemporary interactions between the police and Black communities.