In early US policing, which area encouraged individual initiative and rewarded the capture of felons?

The western territories are indeed the correct answer because this region historically fostered a culture of individualism and personal initiative due to the vast, often lawless expanses where formal police presence was limited. Early law enforcement in these territories was typically more decentralized, relying on the efforts of individuals or small groups to maintain order, which encouraged citizens to take personal responsibility for their safety and security. As a result, capturing felons could lead to rewards, whether in the form of bounty payments or local recognition.

This approach was in contrast to more structured law enforcement seen in the eastern parts of the United States, where urban environments had established police departments that operated under a more formalized system of law enforcement, leading to a less individual-centric approach to capturing criminals. Similarly, while the rural south also had its challenges, the specific combination of terrain, population distribution, and the need for immediate justice in the western territories set this region apart in terms of promoting individual initiative in policing.