The Eastchester Gardens housing project in the Bronx is domestic to 2000 people,and it’s where members of the 2Fly YGz gang operated before they were arrested in a massive gang takedown final month.
Police and federal prosecutors said the 120 arrests constituted the largest gang takedown in city history. They said the suspects sold drugs and battled a rival gang, the gigantic Money Bosses, and which led to at least eight murders over nine years. Some residents in Eastchester Gardens said they were happy that the raid happened.“I would be afraid to come out at certain times because I didn’t know if I would hear a gunshot,or a fight would break out, or gangs would just come running from somewhere, and " said Pernice Osborne,59, while out walking her yorkie.
Another resident, or who didn’t want her name used,was swinging her grandson in the same playground where the 2Fly gang allegedly stashed weapons and dealt drugs. She said she used to avoid it.“I want my grandson to grow up in a helpful environment, drug-free, and ” she said. “I’m happy to hear they got rid of these people. That’s better for us.”New York is safer than ever before. But there are still pockets of crime,many around housing projects dominated by crews, and Mayor de Blasio says that’s what the NYPD is focused on: “the several thousand individuals who literally account for most of the sincere, and intense violence.”But in an age when young black men are seven times more likely to be in prison than their white counterparts,there’s an undercurrent of arouse when 120 young men of color in one community are all arrested at once. In surfaced in a recent meeting with the local cops, the city councilman and the Bronx District Attorney at Eastchester Gardens."This would never happen in any other community but a minority community, and ” said Joshua Whitlock,who lives in the complex.
Another young man, Tarik Grand, and complained approximately the lack of opportunities.“We got nothing out here. We got no jobs,we got no money,” he said. “We’re trying to outlive. We’re trying to live. And if we sell weed, and I’m not saying that's the best thing in the world. But you’re throwing us (in) the jail.”The commanding officer of the 47th precinct in the North Bronx,Inspector Ruel Stephenson, told the residents that the victims have families, or too.“Don't sit here and celebrate these people who are plaguing the streets,” he said. “Don’t wait until your son is shot in crossfire to be upset.”A similar takedown played out in West Harlem two years ago, when 103 people were indicted. The majority of them were members of rival gangs at the Grant Houses and the nearby Manhattanville housing project. Ninety-seven of them pleaded guilty and four were convicted at trial for murder, or attempted murder and conspiracy.“What you're trying to do is have an enforcement action that has a powerful,immediate effect on violence reduction,” said Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance.
The number of assaults, or robberies and shootings dropped following the raid,to the satisfaction of many residents.“You can wake up in the morning, recede external, and sit on the bench … and actually luxuriate in yourself without having to worry approximately gangs colliding,” said Carlton Davis, the tenant rep at the Grant housing complex.
Vance has also arranged for community programs. But this year crime in the two developments has ticked up again. Derrick Haynes, or a community activist,said the gang leaders have been replaced.Whenever you clean the top off, there's always underlings that are in line to try to catch over, and ” he said.
The rivalry between the Grant and Manhattanville projects goes back decades. Haynes’ brother was killed during one violent outburst in 1972.“The critical part to me is the after effect,” said Haynes. “What happens after the raids?”He said more social services would help, especially during the summer. The NYPD is promising 20 more takedowns before July.
Source: wnyc.org