Examining the Urban Landscape of TV Crime and Police Dramas in the United States
Is There Any Major US City a TV Crime/Police Drama Has NOT Been Based In?
The question of whether there are any significant US cities that have not been featured in a television crime or police drama is more complex than it might seem. The answer depends on how one defines a major city.
Defining Major Cities
When considering the 10 largest US cities, it appears that only a handful have hosted numerous crime or police dramas. For instance, San Antonio, Texas, and San Jose, California, have been featured in Walker, but not as extensively as more popular crime series.
Top 100 Cities by Population
Expanding the scope to include the 100 largest US cities by population reveals a different pattern. In this case, the majority of these cities have yet to have a crime or police drama set within their boundaries.
Some may consider state capitals to be major cities, yet even these have remained mostly untouched by television. A few potential ideas for such shows could be CSI: Montpelier or Pierre SWAT, or perhaps Helena 911. However, these are mere imaginings, and currently, none of these has gained traction in the industry.
Examples of Cities Not Featured
One of the more unnoticed aspects is the absence of crime or police dramas set in smaller, yet significant, cities. For instance, cities like Dublin, Ohio; Pocatello, Idaho; Frankfort, Kentucky; Concord, New Hampshire; Riverside, Iowa; Ashland, Oregon; Racine, Wisconsin; and Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, have not been featured on television to date.
Identifying Cities with TV Presence
On the opposite end, the task of identifying cities that have been featured in such dramas is far easier. Plenty of cities have embraced their roles in crime and police series. Examples include Boise, Idaho; Duluth, Minnesota; Ely, Nevada; Carson City, Nevada; Moab, Utah; Clovis, New Mexico and California; and Redding, California, among others.
This list could undoubtedly be expanded, but it does illustrate the point that many cities have served as the backdrop for these thrilling and often adrenaline-pumping series.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the disparity between cities that have been featured extensively in crime and police dramas and those that have not is telling. For those cities that remain untapped, the potential for creating compelling and relatable stories within these settings is vast. As the television landscape continues to evolve, it is hoped that we will see a broader representation of American cities, from the major metropolises to the smaller, more intimate settings.