Judge — May 7, 1892 — page 16: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Judge cartoon satirizes police corruption in early 20th-century America. The title and scenes depict officers extorting money from citizens under the guise of "protection"—a common practice in that era. The vignettes show: - A **footpad (mugger)** demanding money, then a **policeman** making the same demand from a victim who's already paid the criminal - A **wealthy businessman** (Bierheister) complaining he pays officers monthly protection fees - A **young woman** requesting police protection, only to be told it costs "fifty a month" - A **patrolman** (O'Toole) apparently substituting for the Astors as the neighborhood's notable resident—suggesting officers were the real power The satire exposes how police systematized bribery and extortion, effectively becoming indistinguishable from the criminals they supposedly fought. Citizens faced dual predation: from actual criminals and from corrupt cops operating as organized extortionists.