Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD
The Moral Crusade | 5
Sep 30, 2024
Anthony Comstock, America's first professional vice fighter, takes center stage as he reshapes the NYPD's approach to morality. He battles against corruption in 19th-century New York, revealing how officers profited from vice while Comstock crusades for change. The tensions between his moral vision and the police's complicity highlight the evolving landscape of societal norms. As he gains support, Comstock's initiatives lead to the enactment of the Comstock Act, dramatically intertwining issues of morality and personal freedom, especially for women.
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Quick takeaways
- Anthony Comstock's moral crusade not only reshaped societal norms around obscenity but also influenced the NYPD's approach to policing personal desires.
- The symbiotic corruption between early NYPD officers and the vice economy illustrates the complex interplay of morality and systemic law enforcement practices.
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