Between 1830 and 1860, population growth was one of the primary factors in crimes that happened in New York. The robbers spread terror, whether in urban or rural town, they were stealing and killing. “Although nearly one-fourth of the City’s murders Took place inside homes, nearly 40 percent occurred on the streets and another 10 percent in saloons” (Chudacoff 48). Although most crimes happen in poor neighborhoods, property owners were afraid of loosing their income, or their house being robbed. With the increase in crime, the cities had no choice but to establish uniforms police officers who could ensure the safety of the population. But with the population of New York that continues to grow, the police officers were not sufficient to ensure security across the city, so they were assigned in commercial and residential district, resulting in an excessive amount of crime in the poor neighborhoods.
This a photograph from the 1860's of a New York City police officer
The population growth was a great opportunity for merchants. Although they were threatened by the robbers, they were protected by the police , they could thus continue their business quietly, without worrying too much about thieves. This situation was in favor of the police officers also; first of all they had jobs, people respected them more now that they wore a uniform and a badge, and they were also paid better. The only class affected by this fact is the lower class, because people did not have the police protection they needed, crime increased in many neighborhoods where vilains and victim lived together.
I believe that the creation of offical police departments were important because it made everyone feel much safer now that there were people avalible to help them. Plus it is not like they had an option about whether the wanted to help or not… it was now their jobs to.
I do agree with you Rommie, the low class were neglected and the police force were focused on the high class and rich merchants. Merchants had a sense of security and the busines sector bloomed. Also developing a police department created more job opportunities.