NYPD Declares Full-On War On Gangs
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The NYPD has declared all-out war on New York City gangs.
As Chief of Department James O'Neill put it, the NYPD has observed it is the same people in the same places that are involved in a majority of crime in the city, WCBS 880's Rich Lamb reported.
"In the last 30 days, we have had seven major narcotics and gang related takedowns," O'Neill said. "These takedowns resulted in the arrest of over 219 suspects. We removed guns, large quantities of drugs, all destined for our city streets."
Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said, "If I were a gang member doing violence, I'd be afraid."
He said more gang takedowns are on the way.
"We have another six coming in this May and another 14 in June," Boyce said.
Late last month, police, the U.S. Attorney's office and other law enforcement agencies charged 120 suspects in the Bronx, in what was believed to be the largest gang takedown in New York City history.
The alleged gangs in that case were the Big Money Bosses, or BMB, and the 2Fly YGz, or 2Fly. Bharara said they "allegedly wreaked havoc on the streets of the Northern Bronx for years by committing countless acts of violence against rival gang members and innocents alike."
Since 2007, officials said the turf war between the two groups has led to shootings, stabbings, slashings, beatings and robberies.