WHAT KEEPS US SAFE? EMPIRE CITY LIVE
The police tell us their job is to “serve and protect” — but what if their original purpose was something else altogether?
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ICE and the war on immigrants. Federal police takeovers of major cities. Racial profiling. Rampant police corruption… How did we get here? Find out where it all started in a conversation inspired by Empire City: The Untold Story of the NYPD, where we’ll debate the role of law enforcement in public safety. Join us for deeper engagement in person and online.
About Empire City
Peabody Award-winning host Chenjerai Kumanyika takes listeners on a journey to uncover the hidden history of the largest police force in the world – from its roots in slavery, to rival police gangs battling across the city, to everyday people who resisted every step of the way. As our society debates where policing is going, Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD explores where the police came from. From Wondery, Crooked Media and PushBlack.
Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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EMPIRE CITY LIVE
Thursday, Oct 9, 2025 | Brooklyn, NY at The Brooklyn Bank
Join us for a live discussion about the role of law enforcement in public safety. Featuring Empire City host Chenjerai Kumanyika with special guests
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VIRTUAL STUDY GROUP
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 | Join anywhere via Zoom
Join us for a virtual study group to dive into the history of law enforcement in the U.S., and how those beginnings shaped the current state of policing. Featuring Empire City host Chenjerai Kumanyika with special guests
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WHERE PUBLIC SAFETY STANDS TODAY
Public safety and national security were central issues in the 2024 election, with Donald Trump’s campaign fueling fear and misinformation about immigrants and crime. Despite data showing that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than native-born citizens, Trump pushed for the largest mass deportation in U.S. history, enlisting local police to act as federal immigration agents. These efforts threaten to destabilize communities, strain local law enforcement, and create a dangerous climate of surveillance, fear, and violence—especially in Black and Brown neighborhoods that already face disproportionate policing.
Crooked Media’s Empire City podcast, hosted by Peabody Award-winning journalist Chenjerai Kumanyika, explores the historical roots and cultural impact of policing in America—beginning with the NYPD, the world’s largest police force. This accessible, narrative-driven series pulls back the curtain on the myths and systemic failures that have long shaped public safety policies.
As Trump revives aggressive policing and deportation agendas, Empire City offers critical historical context to inform today’s public safety debate.
Through Crooked Ideas, we’re expanding the reach of Empire City to educators and leaders, equipping them with tools to reframe the conversation around policing and safety. By connecting the historical legacy of American policing to its current reality, we aim to disrupt harmful narratives, correct misinformation, and build a more just and informed future.
Drop us a line
Crooked Ideas is committed to building support for the biggest issues of our time. If you like this campaign and want to help us power the next big idea or have a media inquiry, get in touch:
ideas@crooked.com