Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD Episode: What’s Done Can Be Undone | 3 Release Date: September 16, 2024 Host: Chenjerai Kumanyika Produced by: Wondery | Crooked Media

Introduction

In the third episode of "Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD," host Chenjerai Kumanyika delves deep into the tumultuous history of the New York Police Department (NYPD), uncovering its roots intertwined with political power, systemic racism, and the relentless pursuit of control. Titled "What’s Done Can Be Undone," this episode explores pivotal events and figures that shaped the NYPD’s legacy, drawing parallels to contemporary issues in policing.

Background: NYPD's Origins and Political Entanglement

The episode opens with a reflection on current policing under Mayor Eric Adams, a former police officer whose administration has seen an increase in police overtime and resistance to oversight. Kumanyika expresses concern over Adams' policies, noting, “At a moment when Adams was threatening to cut social programs and public goods, he increased police overtime, and he's refused to support any kind of police oversight” (01:00).

He highlights the historical pattern of police targeting Black and Latino communities, emphasizing that 89% of those stopped in 2023 belonged to these groups, a trend persisting since the days of George Kirk and stretching back to the kidnapping club era.

Fernando Wood's Rise to Power

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Fernando Wood, a prominent 19th-century mayor of New York City. Jeff Broxmeyer, a historian, describes Wood as “one of the great scoundrels of the 19th century” (10:07), not in a laudatory sense but for his vast impact and questionable ethics.

Wood's ambition was fueled by personal strife and societal dynamics. From failed business ventures to leveraging his connections with Tammany Hall, the dominant Democratic political machine of the time, Wood adeptly manipulated race and nationality as political tools to ascend the ranks (12:16).

The Astor Place Riot and Police Tactics

The narrative shifts to the Astor Place Riot of 1849, a chaotic event that exemplified the NYPD's ineffectiveness. During a performance of Shakespeare's "Macbeth" at the Astor Opera House, tensions between British actors and working-class New Yorkers erupted into violence when loyalist gangs incited the audience to disrupt the performance.

Police Chief George Matzo struggled to control the situation, leading to the deployment of state militia after initial police efforts failed. Kumanyika critiques the NYPD's lack of preparedness and professionalism, noting the disdain from contemporaries like James Gordon Bennett, who labeled the police as cowards (03:37).

Dual Police Forces and Political Power Struggles

Following the abolition of the municipal police, the state intervened by creating the Metropolitan Police. Fernando Wood, however, refused to relinquish control over his original force, leading to a bitter conflict between the two police entities. This scenario resulted in the first instance of two competing police forces in New York City, each loyal to different political agendas.

George Washington Walling, a police officer torn between loyalty to Wood and his duty as a public servant, became a pivotal figure. Despite initial reluctance, Walling joined the NYPD and played a significant role in enforcing Wood's authoritarian policies, including the use of "strong arm squads" equipped with lethal clubs (30:34).

Suppression of Seneca Village

One of the most poignant segments covers the destruction of Seneca Village, a prosperous Black enclave established in the 1820s. Mayor Wood, seeking to expand his real estate holdings, initiated the creation of Central Park through the use of eminent domain, forcibly evicting over 200 residents.

Despite legal victories by residents like Elizabeth Jennings Graham, Wood utilized his police force to violently suppress any resistance. A New York Times report from the era ominously stated, “The supremacy of the law was upheld by the policeman's bludgeon” (24:56), illustrating the brutal enforcement of discriminatory policies.

The Climactic Police Riot

The culmination of political strife led to a direct confrontation at City Hall. When state-appointed Metropolitan Police attempted to assert authority, Wood's loyal municipal police resisted fiercely. This clash resulted in an unprecedented police-on-police riot, with hand-to-hand combat erupting on the steps of City Hall. The melee left 1,212 individuals seriously wounded and signaled the deep-seated corruption and brutality within both police factions (35:55).

Legacy and Modern Parallels

Kumanyika draws parallels between Wood's manipulation of the NYPD for personal gain and contemporary political figures who exploit police for electoral advantages. He contrasts Wood’s historical tyranny with Mayor Eric Adams’ current administration, arguing that Adams’ approach, while framed as “law and order,” perpetuates a cycle where policing overshadows essential social services like healthcare and education.

A poignant moment in the episode features Adams asserting, “This is going to continue to be the safest big city in America” (37:56), a statement Kumanyika challenges by advocating for a broader definition of safety that includes community well-being and reduced reliance on police intervention.

Notable Quotes

• Eric Adams (00:24): “I thank God every day that we have a cop that's the mayor of the City of New York that has went through the training that you have gone through and ready to serve this city in the manner that it should be served.”

• Jeff Broxmeyer (10:07): “Fernando Wood is a risk taker. Sometimes it works out really well and sometimes it just is a disaster.”

• Leslie Alexander (19:05): “Fernando Wood was just sort of a devout and committed racist. He was just wholly opposed to emancipation and equality for the black population and opposed their existence in the United States.”

• Miriam Kaba (17:55): “The cops were pulling people off trains and subways and stuff in 1854 and telling them, you can try to fucking get, you know, satisfaction, but you're not gonna get satisfaction. Because who they gonna believe, you or me?”

Conclusion

Episode 3 of "Empire City" masterfully intertwines historical events with ongoing debates about policing and political power. Through the lens of Fernando Wood’s manipulative reign and the destructive duality of New York’s police forces, Kumanyika illuminates the entrenched issues that continue to challenge the NYPD today. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale, urging listeners to reconsider the true purpose of policing and advocate for systemic change that prioritizes community safety and equity over political expediency.

Timestamps

• 00:24 - Eric Adams' speech at NYPD Police Academy graduation
• 01:00 - Chenjerai Kumanyika discusses Eric Adams' policies
• 03:37 - Critique of NYPD during Astor Place Riot
• 10:07 - Jeff Broxmeyer on Fernando Wood
• 12:16 - Tammany Hall's influence and Wood's political strategy
• 17:55 - Miriam Kaba on NYPD's treatment of Elizabeth Jennings Graham
• 24:56 - New York Times report on Seneca Village suppression
• 30:34 - George Washington Walling's memoir and role in NYPD
• 35:55 - Description of the police-on-police riot at City Hall
• 37:56 - Eric Adams' statement on New York's safety

This summary captures the essence and key points of the episode, incorporating significant quotes and maintaining a structured flow for comprehensive understanding.