Modern Gangs of New York
Monday, January 22, 2007,
http://gridskipper.com/archives/entries/059/59544.php 
What with all the gentrification, low crime rates, and paranoia about terrorism New Yorkers forget about good old fashioned vice and street violence. But just because NYC's underbelly isn't as dark as it was in the crime-ridden 1970's doesn't mean the average New Yorker can't be stabbed in an alleyway as part of initiation to some Mexican gang. In fact that happens all the time. Here is our guide to the territories of NYC's gangland, complete with addresses. It would be wise, wethinks, to accompany each address with mental note never to be found therein.
Almighty King and Queen Nation, Spanish Harlem, all over Brooklyn (179 Starr Street, 81 Central Avenue, 179 Jefferson Street, and 180 Jefferson Street): The AKQN arrived in NYC via the prison systems in '86. By '94 it was the most powerful Latino gang in New York, and it is the most violent gang in the city's recent history. As recently as two years ago, the kings held many of their meetings in St. Mary's Episcopal Church in West Harlem. About 600-700 kings and queens would attend these meetings. The Kings were invited to march in last year's Puerto Rican day parade and were greeted with cheers from the community.
Los Vatos Locos, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights Queens (85-08 Roosevelt Ave.): Los Vatos is one of the biggest Mexican gangs in the country. Though it originally formed in LA, chapters can be found all across America. The most recent incident in NYC occurred when two gang members stabbed a high schooler outside an apartment building at 592 Amsterdam Ave. The gang was also caught running a major counterfeit ring out of Mainland USA, a Chinese restaurant at 85-08 Roosevelt Ave., Jackson Heights.
Continue reading "Modern Gangs of New York"
The Bloods, Crown Heights, Far Rockaway, Harlem, Mott Haven, Hempstead, Washington Heights (Clay Avenue Bloods territory: 167th Street and Clay Avenue): The Bloods gang first appeared in New York when prisoners at Riker's Island formed chapters in the early 90s. Bloods can be identified by their tattoos: two burned dots over a single burned dot. This symbol represents a dog's paw. This August, 12 alleged members of the Clay Avenue Bloods were charged with racketeering, murder, and drug dealing.
The Crips, Harlem, Hempstead, Far Rockaway (Ocean Bay, Beach 41st Street, Ocean Village projects) :Though it was formed in Los Angeles in the 60's, the violent street gang and rival to the Bloods came to New York in the late 80's. While they are one of the most well known gangs in the country, they are neither the most powerful nor the most violent gang in NYC. In a recent incident 29 Crips members were arrested in connection to a drug ring that brought in over $30,000 a week.
Mara Salvatrucha, Hempstead, Long Island, Corona, Queens and Parkchester, the Bronx (103rd St stop off 7 train): Though this is a national gang made up of Salvadoran immigrants, New York City has 24 cliques and over 1,700 gang members. The first New York cliques formed in Long Island and there is still a major presence there, notably at Hempstead High School. Mara Salvatrucha has been one of the fastest growing gangs in the city and recruits members in the high schools of Queens and the Bronx. Their colors are blue and white.
Green Dragons, Flushing, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights (Ithaca and Whitney Avenues, Elmhurst): The Green Dragons are a Vietnamese gang in Queens. Focused mainly on extortion and robbery the gang demanded almost $300 a week from businesses in Queens in exchange for protection throughout the 90's. Their leader Paul Wong is thought to be a major heroin smuggler now hiding in the Fujian Province. Many gang members were turned in when one leader Sonny Wong testified about gang operations in a criminal trial.
Born To Kill, Chinatown (Canal St. from Lafayette to Church St., safe house at 543 56th Street in the Sunset Park): This was America's most notorious Vietnamese gang, and they wreaked havoc in Chinatown in the late 80's and early 90's. Their presence diminished when 11 of their members, including the gang's leader, were arrested and convicted of racketeering charges connecting them to robberies, murder, and a failed plot to bomb a Chinatown restaurant in '91.
DDP (Dominicans Don't Play), Washington Heights and the Bronx: DDP is a rising force on the NYC Latino gang scene and is a popular gang among high schoolers. They have territories in Washington Heights and the Bronx as well as New Jersey and Florida, and they are in a feud with the Bloods. High schools with known DDP presence include Brandeis HS, Washington Irving HS, Adlai Stevenson HS, Pelham Prep and John F. Kennedy HS. Members wear black, blue, white and red beads.
The Flying Dragons, Chinatown (Canal St.): The Flying Dragons are connected to one of Chinatown's major tongs the Hip Sings and outsource protection and extortion rackets to smaller Vietnamese or Chinese gangs while they smuggle drugs. The Flying Dragons' longtime head Johnny Eng was arrested five times in the 70's and named one of the five biggest heroin dealers in New York by the late 80's.
Hell's Angels, East Village (E 3rd St.): Though it's now more of motorcycle club than actual gang, at one point the Hell's Angels were outlaws. They have chapters all over the world. The members at the NYC HQ mainly sell merch and admire their bikes.
