Policing Gotham
A People’s History of the NYPD
The New York Police Department (NYPD) is arguably the most (in)famous police department in the world. It has been featured in countless movies, documentaries, and books, and is practically synonymous with the very word “police.” However, despite its fame (or infamy), very little is known about the NYPD’s origins and its complex relationship to the city and its people.
In this walking tour, we offer one perspective by drawing from the frameworks of “a history from below” and “a people’s history'“ to tell the 400-year history of the NYPD. How was this police department formed? How did policing relate to the institutions of power, the organs of commerce, and the rights of property? How did everyday citizens support or challenge various forms of policing in their communities and neighborhoods?
Our tour will begin with an introduction to the origins of policing in New York City, followed by a walk through sites that will tell us stories like that of of the NYPD’s various transformations, the relationships between the police and local political figures, the numerous riots of Downtown Manhattan (some of which were led by the police themselves), the protests against police brutality, and the efforts of legal resistance to the NYPD’s discriminatory policies like brutality, stop-and-frisk, and surveillance, and will end with a portrait of the present-day state of policing. Some of the sites we will discuss these themes on will include Wall Street, Foley Square, City Hall, Columbus Park, and One Police Plaza.
Feel free to click some of the sites we’ll visit on the map!
Frequently Asked Questions
-
The standard tour lasts for two hours and covers between half a mile to two miles (one mile is about 1.6 kilometers or roughly 20 New York City blocks). We walk at a leisurely pace. Some tours may involve taking public transit to shorten the walk. In such cases, one trip is $2.90 and the cost is not covered.
Of course, if you request a private or custom tour, it can be shortened, lengthened, or customized upon request.
-
Our default is to run all tours, rain or shine. However, if you prefer rescheduling a tour based on a weather forecast, you must let us know at least 24 hours in advance, and we will be happy to rearrange.
Additionally, if dangerous weather is forecasted (for example, a flood warning or a hurricane), we will be required to reschedule and will reach out to you to let you know.
-
You should wear comfortable shoes for walking, and dress appropriately for the weather, as most tours will be spent entirely outside.
-
If it’s a public tour, it will begin on time, but every tour involves an introduction that can last at least 10 minutes at the starting location. If you are running later than that, feel free to text your guide to let them know.
If it’s a private tour (meaning, it’s just you and your group), we have more flexibility, but please send us a text letting us know that you're running late!
-
Since most tours involve walking on sidewalks and streets, they are wheelchair accessible.
Those that are not will mention it in the tour description. For example, our standard “Little Syria” route does involve going up and down some steps and crossing a footbridge. Other tours may involve taking the subway, and not all stations are fully accessible. This info will be available to you before booking.
However, for private bookings, we can easily customize the tour to avoid inaccessible routes, so please inquire!
We do not provide wheelchairs.
Tour Teaser
-
Individual rates: As of right now, NYN is a one-man operation, so in order to make our labor worthwhile, a private group booking is $50 per ticket.
Institutional rates: We welcome bookings with companies, organizations, schools, museums and other institutions. Please inquire about our institutional rates. We are happy to work something out!
Capacity: An ideal group is 10-15 people, but if you have more than that, we will happily accommodate.
-
You are welcome to cancel a tour for any reason up to 24 hours in advance, for a full refund or a voucher to be used for a future tour.
If you cancel later than that, or are a no-show, we cannot offer a refund or a voucher. We apologize for this, but please bear in mind that an enormous amount of labor is spent preparing a single tour.
-
We understand that some people have the ability to pay more than others. You are not required to tip, but since NYN is a one-man operation and a labor of love, we’d be grateful to receive any tips. It is entirely up to you how much you tip if you decide to do so!
-
Public tours run uninterrupted without any breaks, as they can disrupt the flow of a tour. We often start at locations with bathrooms nearby, and we recommend using it before the tour starts. Food is not included on any tour, though you are of course welcome to bring a snack or a non-alcoholic drink on our walk.
Private tours can have breaks to buy a snack or use the restroom if time permits.
Smoking is not allowed on any tours.
-
We would love if you could give us a review! Since we are a small business, a good review would go a very long way. Here are the links to write us a review on Google and TripAdvisor.
If you didn't enjoy a tour for any particular reason, please do write to us, as we are always looking to improve.
Starting Location
Address: The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (515 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY 10037)
Directions: Take the 2 or 3 trains to 135th Street
