One murder as Dominican gangs dispute NYC turf

http://www2.dominicantoday.com/dr/world/2009/4/23/31779/One-murder-as-Dominican-gangs-dispute-NYC-turf

The picture of Rivera Funeral Home a popular final destination of many of 'my' contemporaries and compatriots for decades; The incident of Raul Perez Diaz's death brought back memories of a gone by era when the street gangs in Washington Heights, and the rest of the City was hectic with gang territories and turf wars. Now, there is a struggle between a new generation of street gangs:
DDP and Trinitarios; But, the conditions are still the same that they were when the Royal Aces, and the Savage Skulls, or the Ghetto Brothers fought to be respected and lost many of their broders, panitas along the way. The worst of the days were the summers, Also remember the fights at Highbridge Pool?



This also reminded me of the Galaxies of 163 St. (los duros de la pelicula); Several of their member's girlfiends were sweet on me: Harry's girl had a crush on me, and I would see Steph in the stairways while cutting classes; Carlos's girl Maria wanted to go with me; and Judy N., Fernando's (Chepo) ex-girl was my girl right before I moved-out to Boston. But, I always crossed the paths of the two major rivals in the Heights: The Galaxies and The Savage Nomads who had a division on 184 St. and Audubon Ave.

This article reminded me why my family moved out of FunCity in 1972 to Jamaica Plain, in Boston.
Yet, on New Year's Day 1974 I returned to 181 St. btwn Broadway and Fort Washington Ave. My Love-Hate relationship with the area has remained until this day. However, one turn of events may have saved my life; While I was a member of the Caribbean Kings (started out as a social club) of 177 St; In the spring of 1971 during a meeting the president (C.K.) "El Tigre" wanted silence and attention, he stipulated that the next person speaking out of turn would be suspended from the club for two weeks: Then I spoke and the rest is history. It must have been Providence that saved me, because I would hang out at the club 20 hours a day. We had a Huge Dance area with rubber floors fluorescent paintings on the Black walls and ceiling, a Powerful Hi-Fi sound system, record players, amps, all the latest 45's slow , and soul r &b records, strobe lights, black-lights, a pool-table, a boxing ring, weights, TV's, several bedrooms, and girls galore...All a Young Broder could want.
When I left-- I never returned;
One week later Playboy saw me playing Street Basketball on 176 St. in behind P.S. 115, and asked me when I was going to return to the club; I responded NEVER! One week later, Playboy (El Hondureño) was dead of a stab wound from a Bayonnet through his back to his abdomen. That could have been me stabbed, then dumped down the steps to the basement entrance to our club.

This will continue to happen just as long as teenagers, juveniles will give-in to negativity, and continue to gravitate towards the underworld, the cliques, the gangs, and the other negative elements of urban environment. I had no real role models; I only looked up to the fellows fighting in Viet-Nam, and thought I'd grow-up and ship-out and join them fighting the N.Viet-Namese, Besides my gang, Basketball, and Latin-Soul (Fania-Bugaloo), dressing "Fly" were my only other interests as a teen-ager.
Thank God, I saw the Light; Or, rather the Light saw me, and pushed me out of the shadows.

Bendito sea Dios, y su Hijo mi Salvador Jesus!

My respect to the family of the deceased hermanito Raul Perez Diaz. I know there can be so real consolation to your loss. May God give you peace and bless you with His everlasting love.

Brothers of DDP and Los Trinitarios: Stop the Kiling! You are brothers in a distant land; Protect and defend each other. Stop the in-fighting; Seek the Almighty's mercy and repent of your sins. It's not too late! If I can do it, so can you. I was born in the 50's in La Capital, came to NYC in '63, became some-what a juvenile delinquent (truant, booster,graffitti, etc.) in the late 60's, then joined a gang and left in 1971... I am from the same streets you guys are; Yet, the Lord has changed me. Give peace a chance; Study, work hard for your family's welfare, make an honest living, represent your nationality; We are a noble, respectable people! That's what's really important! With all the odds against you growing up to a ripe age; why fight each other?


Ain't nothing new under the sun. Except if you're in the "Son" you become a new creation!

It's gettin' rougher by the minute....


God bless!

ArsenioALembertJr


One murder as Dominican gangs dispute NYC turf

http://www2.dominicantoday.com/dr/world/2009/4/23/31779/One-murder-as-Dominican-gangs-dispute-NYC-turf

The picture of Rivera Funeral Home a popular final destination of many of 'my' contemporaries and compatriots for decades; The incident of Raul Perez Diaz's death brought back memories of a gone by era when the street gangs in Washington Heights, and the rest of the City was hectic with gang territories and turf wars. Now, there is a struggle between a new generation of street gangs:
DDP and Trinitarios; But, the conditions are still the same that they were when the Royal Aces, and the Savage Skulls, or the Ghetto Brothers fought to be respected and lost many of their broders, panitas along the way. The worst of the days were the summers, Also remember the fights at Highbridge Pool?



This also reminded me of the Galaxies of 163 St. (los duros de la pelicula); Several of their member's girlfiends were sweet on me: Harry's girl had a crush on me, and I would see Steph in the stairways while cutting classes; Carlos's girl Maria wanted to go with me; and Judy N., Fernando's (Chepo) ex-girl was my girl right before I moved-out to Boston. But, I always crossed the paths of the two major rivals in the Heights: The Galaxies and The Savage Nomadswho had a division on 184 St. and Audubon Ave.

This article reminded me why my family moved out of FunCity in 1972 to Jamaica Plain, in Boston.
Yet, on New Year's Day 1974 I returned to 181 St. btwn Broadway and Fort Washington Ave. My Love-Hate relationship with the area has remained until this day. However, one turn of events may have saved my life; While I was a member of the Caribbean Kings (started out as a social club) of 177 St; In the spring of 1971 during a meeting the president (C.K.) "El Tigre" wanted silence and attention, he stipulated that the next person speaking out of turn would be suspended from the club for two weeks: Then I spoke and the rest is history. It must have been Providence that saved me, because I would hang out at the club 20 hours a day. We had a Huge Dance area with rubber floors fluorescent paintings on the Black walls and ceiling, a Powerful Hi-Fi sound system, record players, amps, all the latest 45's slow , and soul r &b records, strobe lights, black-lights, a pool-table, a boxing ring, weights, TV's, several bedrooms, and girls galore...All a Young Broder could want.
When I left-- I never returned;
One week later Playboy saw me playing Street Basketball on 176 St. in behind P.S. 115, and asked me when I was going to return to the club; I responded NEVER! One week later, Playboy (El Hondureño) was dead of a stab wound from a Bayonnet through his back to his abdomen. That could have been me stabbed, then dumped down the steps to the basement entrance to our club.

This will continue to happen just as long a teenagers, juveniles will give-in to negativity, and continue to gravitate towards the underworld, the cliques, the gangs, and the other negative elements of urban environment. I had no real role models; I only looked up to the fellows fighting in Viet-Nam, and thought I'd grow-up and ship-out and join them fighting the N.Viet-Namese, Besides my gang, Basketball, and Latin-Soul (Fania-Bugaloo), dressing "Fly" were my only other interests as a teen-ager.
Thank God, I saw the Light; Or, rather the Light saw me, and pushed me out of the shadows.

Bendito sea Dios, y su Hijo mi Salvador Jesus!

My respect to the family of the deceased hermanito Raul Perez Diaz. I know there can be so real consolation to your loss. May God give you peace and bless you with His everlasting love.

Brothers of DDP and Los Trinitarios: Stop the Kiling! You are brothers in a distant land; Protect and defend each other. Stop the in-fighting; Seek the Almighty's mercy and repent of your sins. It's not too late! If I can do it, so can you. I was born in the 50's in La Capital, came to NYC in '63, became some-what a juvenile delinquent (truant, booster,graffitti, etc.) in the late 60's, then joined a gang and left in 1971... I am from the same streets you guys are; Yet, the Lord has changed me. Give peace a chance; Study, work hard for your family's welfare, make an honest living, represent your nationality; We are a noble, respectable people! That's what's really important! With all the odds against you growing up to a ripe age; why fight each other?


Ain't nothing new under the sun. Except if you're in the "Son" you become a new creation!

It's gettin' rougher by the minute....
God bless!

GIZMO Darn Arsenio you're old school! "Fun City" as New York was dubbed a couple of decades back. As far as these so called 'gangs' of today in New York city they are nobody's just punks. Atleast the N.Y.C. gangs of the 70's were more original and the culture was more authentic to New York then what exists today. Which is nothing but a poor imitation of real gangs from the west coast or California. Although i don't advocate anything related to gang culture or membership of such, which only leads to prison life and ultimately death, i had to comment about this old disease callled gangs, and it's vicious cycle of self destruction.

GIZMO Darn Arsenio you're old school! "Fun City" as New York was dubbed a couple of decades back. As far as these so called 'gangs' of today in New York city they are nobody's just punks. Atleast the N.Y.C. gangs of the 70's were more original and the culture was more authentic to New York then what exists today. Which is nothing but a poor imitation of real gangs from the west coast or California. Although i don't advocate anything related to gang culture or membership of such, which only leads to prison life and ultimately death, i had to comment about this old disease callled gangs, and it's vicious cycle of self destruction.

Gizmo:

It was rough back then. Bust, mostly the fights were with fists and knives, or an occasional sawed-off shot gun. Like the day I was coming from St Nicholas Ave, heading towards G-Dubs on 193 st.
When I turned the slight right around the building to cross over to the walkway that lead to the southern entrance to the school, I saw a guy dragging another dude by the collar of his jacket while holding a sawed-off shotfun to his head....He dragged him to the gate on Audubon Ave., then let him fall on the ground and casually walked south on Audubon Ave. heading towards 191 St.

What did I do when I was chuckling just a few seconds before? I qiuickly headed back to the wall on the side of that building for protection and would peek every few seconds; I didn't want the felolow with the shotgun thinking I was going to defend his hostage! I had never seen him, or the guy being dragged before. I think they were from 135 st and Broadway (Hamilton Heights). GW had 3,000 students; My circle of friends were mostly from 172 St. and Audubon, or from my class College- Bound Program.

Now the difference is that back then there were some real knuckle-heads like the one that Yogi headed the Galaxies division from 177 St. and Amsterdam; These fellows would get high and cruise around looking for gang members to "kill". These guys were no joke, partner! Yet, I knew them, and they knew me; A guarantee of not to get killed in the gang 'wildstyle' code of conduct.

Ever since the 80's things changed drastrically, G;
We began seeing 44 Magnum's Detective special (short snub muzzle), or Long Muzzle;
380s, 9mms, and then the 90's brought the Tech 9's, the Mac 10's, etc.
It's a whole new ball game now. No more fist-fights; Now it's: I'll be back!
Next thing you hear ratatatat tat.....You're hit!

Young punks have been trigger happy since day one.....the only difference now is that there are more Guns! Heck, back in the 80's you could buy a gun with food stamp! Imagine now?
For a trick, maybe?

Back in the 70's a young dude named Gaby shot his partner, and my boy, Rhadames, dead sitting playing cards....Nothing new! The only that's new is that any Tom, Dick, Harry, and Papo now have automatic weapons; Instead of 6 bullets in a chamber, they now have 14 and can fire them in less than 2 seconds. It's a whole new world. No more shoving, no more rumbles; Just blasts!

Heaven help us all!

The Jungle is now the Badlands east of Hudson (not the Pecos).
Get out of Dodge, before you wind up on view at Rivera Funeral Home!

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - The Message


It's like a jungle sometimes
It makes me wonder how I keep from goin' under
It's like a jungle sometimes
It makes me wonder how I keep from goin' under

Broken glass everywhere
People pissin' on the stairs, you know they just don't care
I can't take the smell, can't take the noise
Got no money to move out, I guess I got no choice
Rats in the front room, roaches in the back
Junkies in the alley with a baseball bat
I tried to get away but I couldn't get far
'cuz a man with a tow truck repossessed my car

Don't push me 'cuz I'm close to the edge
I'm trying not to lose my head
Uh huh ha ha ha
It's like a jungle sometimes
It makes me wonder how I keep from goin' under

Standin' on the front stoop hangin' out the window
Watchin' all the cars go by, roarin' as the breezes blow
Crazy lady, livin' in a bag
Eatin' outta garbage pails, used to be a fag hag
Said she'll dance the tango, skip the light fandango
A Zircon princess seemed to lost her senses
Down at the peep show watchin' all the creeps
So she can tell her stories to the girls back home
She went to the city and got social security
She had to get a pimp, she couldn't make it on her own

Don't push me 'cuz I'm close to the edge
I'm trying not to lose my head
Uh huh ha ha ha

It's like a jungle sometimes
It makes me wonder how I keep from goin' under
It's like a jungle sometimes
It makes me wonder how I keep from goin' under

My brother's doin' bad, stole my mother's TV
Says she watches too much, it's just not healthy
'All My Children' in the daytime, 'Dallas' at night
Can't even see the game or the Sugar Ray fight
The bill collectors, they ring my phone
and scare my wife when I'm not home
Got a bum education, double-digit inflation
Can't take the train to the job, there's a strike at the station
Neon King Kong standin' on my back
Can't stop to turn around, broke my sacroiliac
A mid-range migraine, cancered membrane
Sometimes I think I'm goin' insane
I swear I might hijack a plane!

Don't push me 'cuz I'm close to the edge
I'm trying not to lose my head
It's like a jungle sometimes
It makes me wonder how I keep from goin' under
It's like a jungle sometimes
It makes me wonder how I keep from goin' under

My son said, Daddy, I don't wanna go to school
'cuz the teacher's a jerk, he must think I'm a fool
And all the kids smoke reefer, I think it'd be cheaper
if I just got a job, learned to be a street sweeper
Or dance to the beat, shuffle my feet
Wear a shirt and tie and run with the creeps
'cuz it's all about money, ain't a damn thing funny
You got to have a con in this land of milk and honey
They pushed that girl in front of the train
Took her to the doctor, sewed her arm on again
Stabbed that man right in his heart
Gave him a transplant for a brand new start
I can't walk through the park 'cuz it's crazy after dark
Keep my hand on my gun 'cuz they got me on the run
I feel like a outlaw, broke my last glass jaw
Hear them say 'You want some more?'
Livin' on a see-saw

Don't push me 'cuz I'm close to the edge
I'm trying not to lose my head
Say what?

It's like a jungle sometimes
It makes me wonder how I keep from goin' under
It's like a jungle sometimes
It makes me wonder how I keep from goin' under

It's like a jungle sometimes
It makes me wonder how I keep from goin' under

It's like a jungle sometimes
It makes me wonder how I keep from goin' under

A child is born with no state of mind
Blind to the ways of mankind
God is smilin' on you but he's frownin' too
Because only God knows what you'll go through
You'll grow in the ghetto livin' second-rate
And your eyes will sing a song called deep hate
The places you play and where you stay
Looks like one great big alleyway
You'll admire all the number-book takers
Thugs, pimps and pushers and the big money-makers
Drivin' big cars, spendin' twenties and tens
And you'll wanna grow up to be just like them, huh
Smugglers, scramblers, burglars, gamblers
Pickpocket peddlers, even panhandlers
You say I'm cool, huh, I'm no fool
But then you wind up droppin' outta high school
Now you're unemployed, all non-void
Walkin' round like you're Pretty Boy Floyd
Turned stick-up kid, but look what you done did
Got sent up for a eight-year bid
Now your manhood is took and you're a Maytag
Spend the next two years as a undercover fag
Bein' used and abused to serve like hell
'til one day, you was found hung dead in the cell
It was plain to see that your life was lost
You was cold and your body swung back and forth
But now your eyes sing the sad, sad song
Of how you lived so fast and died so young so...

Don't push me 'cuz I'm close to the edge
I'm trying not to lose my head
Uh huh huh huh huh

It's like a jungle sometimes
It makes me wonder how I keep from goin' under
Huh, uh huh huh huh huh
It's like a jungle sometimes
It makes me wonder how I keep from goin' under
Huh, uh huh huh huh huh

ArsenioALembertJr
GIZMO Darn Arsenio you're old school! "Fun City" as New York was dubbed a couple of decades back. As far as these so called 'gangs' of today in New York city they are nobody's just punks. Atleast the N.Y.C. gangs of the 70's were more original and the culture was more authentic to New York then what exists today. Which is nothing but a poor imitation of real gangs from the west coast or California. Although i don't advocate anything related to gang culture or membership of such, which only leads to prison life and ultimately death, i had to comment about this old disease callled gangs, and it's vicious cycle of self destruction.

Gizmo:

It was rough back then. Bust, mostly the fights were with fists and knives, or an occasional sawed-off shot gun. Like the day I was coming from St Nicholas Ave, heading towards G-Dubs on 193 st.
When I turned the slight right around the building to cross over to the walkway that lead to the southern entrance to the school, I saw a guy dragging another dude by the collar of his jacket while holding a sawed-off shotfun to his head....He dragged him to the gate on Audubon Ave., then let him fall on the ground and casually walked south on Audubon Ave. heading towards 191 St.

What did I do when I was chuckling just a few seconds before? I qiuickly headed back to the wall on the side of that building for protection and would peek every few seconds; I didn't want the felolow with the shotgun thinking I was going to defend his hostage! I had never seen him, or the guy being dragged before. I think they were from 135 st and Broadway (Hamilton Heights). GW had 3,000 students; My circle of friends were mostly from 172 St. and Audubon, or from my class College- Bound Program.

Now the difference is that back then there were some real knuckle-heads like the one that Yogi headed the Galaxies division from 177 St. and Amsterdam; These fellows would get high and cruise around looking for gang members to "kill". These guys were no joke, partner! Yet, I knew them, and they knew me; A guarantee of not to get killed in the gang 'wildstyle' code of conduct.

Ever since the 80's things changed drastrically, G;
We began seeing 44 Magnum's Detective special (short snub muzzle), or Long Muzzle;
380s, 9mms, and then the 90's brought the Tech 9's, the Mac 10's, etc.
It's a whole new ball game now. No more fist-fights; Now it's: I'll be back!
Next thing you hear ratatatat tat.....You're hit!

Young punks have been trigger happy since day one.....the only difference now is that there are more Guns! Heck, back in the 80's you could buy a gun with food stamp! Imagine now?
For a trick, maybe?

Back in the 70's a young dude named Gaby shot his partner, and my boy, Rhadames, dead sitting playing cards....Nothing new! The only that's new is that any Tom, Dick, Harry, and Papo now have automatic weapons; Instead of 6 bullets in a chamber, they now have 14 and can fire them in less than 2 seconds. It's a whole new world. No more shoving, no more rumbles; Just blasts!

Heaven help us all!

The Jungle is now the Badlands east of Hudson (not the Pecos).
Get out of Dodge, before you wind up on view at Rivera Funeral Home!

Gizmo Arsenio thanks for sharing some history from the past related to the gang life style in New York. The 70's was a very dangerous decade in New York but also the 80's with the Drug crews of old. By the way Arsenio do you know anything of the W.157th street vicinity and which gang was active in that area in the 70s? My dad use to own a business around that area mid 70's he use to know many gang members they were very friendly to him. And if any trouble came by, they were ready to get involved.

Gangs reunion 60's 70's 80's.

Speaking of Olde Schoole, Let's go further back!


Vaughn Mason and Crew - Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll




In 1978 I left the New York State of Mind and headed for South Beach (The Pier) Ocean Drive and 1St.
There's a Club/restaurant there now called Penrod's.
I took up residence at the Clay Hotel @ Washington Ave. and Española Way.

Gizmo Arsenio thanks for sharing some history from the past related to the gang life style in New York. The 70's was a very dangerous decade in New York but also the 80's with the Drug crews of old. By the way Arsenio do you know anything of the W.157th street vicinity and which gang was active in that area in the 70s? My dad use to own a business around that area mid 70's he use to know many gang members they were very friendly to him. And if any trouble came by, they were ready to get involved.


Gizmo:
Did your Pops own the little bodega on the northeastern corner of 157 St.? Ask your Dad if he knew Cuqui or Cookie (el prieto) from the Galaxies (who called everyone boc'eperro), or Chocolate of the Falcons?
Happy Hills Casino used to be upstairs in the 60's and 70's; then in the 80's they started a club downstairs which was also an After Hours club called "Los Pollitos".

The crew that dominated that area were the Falcons from 160 St.; Now the Brothers(Morenos) further up the street Sugar Hill possibly belonged to the Ghetto Brothers (from Harlem) or 5 per centers, and many other gangs from the Polo Gounds and the Colonial Projects.

But on Broadway and 157 St. the Falcons controlaban todo. There were also a few Galaxies in the area and further down Broadway into Riverside....Below 145 St. were The Saints or Los Santos; Then in the 80's around 137 St. there was a crew called The Ball-Busters.
But, mostly around 157 St. and Broadway it was Falcons, Galaxies, and Blue Demon Territory and they were all familia, Mostly Dominicans, with several Boricuas, and a few Cubans.

Here's another flashback for you; this one from 1972 when the Heights was hot with strife between Gangs and Racial Wars ( vs Blacks) were the order of the day.

The Broders in the Heights had a saying: "Tomorrow mañana for you ?"
If you didn't understand, and said Como? It meant you were a Moreno and should be beaten.

We The People: by The Soul Searchers challenged all the hate that abounded then.




The message was clear then, as is today. Peace amongst the brethren is the key!

DRNY: Stop the fighting with your brethren!