Trinitarios

Founded	1987
In	New York City
Territory	Eastcoast U.S., Florida, Spain, Europe, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Central America, South America
Ethnicity	Hispanic
Membership	3,000–4,000 in New York, 30,000 worldwide
Criminal activities	Drug trafficking, assault, Witness intimidation, murder, and robberies
Allies	None
Rivals	Dominicans Don't Play, Latin Kings (gang), Mara Salvatrucha, Bloods, Crips

Trinitario is a violent New York-based multinational street gang composed of Hispanics.^[1] Trinitario was founded in 1987 within the New York state prison system^[2] by a man known as Julio Caballo, and since spilled into the streets, with chapters in all five boroughs of New York City. Reports of Trinitario activity have also been made in New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Alaska,^[3] and even Spain. It is considered the fastest-growing gang in New York, recruiting members from high schools local to the gang's area of activity, with the highest numbers of reports coming from Chelsea, Gramercy Park, Harlem, the Morris Heights section of The Bronx and from Washington Heights^[4]. Their slogan is "Dios, Patria, y Libertad".

Contents 1 History 2 Identification 3 Growth 4 References 5 External links

[edit] History

Trinitario is a Hispanic gang formed in prison, providing protection and unity for Hispanic inmates within the New York City Department of Corrections. The name "Trinitario", means the trinity brotherhood in English. The three founding fathers are; Juan Pablo Duarte, Ramón Matías Mella, and Francisco Del Rosario Sánchez. The Trinitarios view themselves as being, like their founding fathers, freedom fighters and protectors for Hispanic people, though in this case within the New York City Department of Corrections. It was originally composed of members of smaller, now-defunct Hispanic gangs such as Los Papi Chulos, Dominican Power, and Dominican Posse, as well as unaffiliated drug dealers, and members of their current rival gang, Dominicans Don't Play. Many members remained affiliated with the gang after serving their sentences, and began recruiting in their neighborhoods, the path many prison gangs take as they become street gangs.

[edit] Identification

They are known for their call of "Patria." ^[5] The Trinitarios primarily use green bandanas along with beaded necklaces with the colors blue, white, red, and green as identifiers. However, due to law enforcement's increasing awareness of the gang, they may not be wearing either as an identifier. Other clothing commonly used by Trinitarios include green shoe laces and/or green Nike shoes, and any article of clothing containing green. They are known for their extreme violence,^[6] as well as the use of guns, machetes, and knives^[7].

[edit] Growth

According to New York Law Enforcement, the Trinitarios are the fastest growing gang in New York. ^[8]. According to the FBI National Gang Assessment for 2009, the Trinitarios have increased their growth on the East Coast.^[9] In addition, they have become an emerging gang in the New England area.^[10]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• http://www.nypost.com/seven/01142008/news/regionalnews/schools_gang_scourge_128917.htm
• http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/local_news/nyc/090310_Gang_Busts
• http://www.wpix.com/landing/?blockID=235797&feedID=1404
• http://www.nypost.com/seven/02092008/news/nypdblotter/nypdblotter.htm
• http://gothamist.com/2008/07/13/teen_gang_responsible_for_williamsb.php
• http://www.insideprison.com/prison_gang_profile_TRINITARIOS.asp
• Department of Justice http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs27/27506/dtos.htm