Dozens of people have been arrested after melees in Times Square and near Penn Station that left at least four people shot by guns or a BB gun. According to WABC 7, "The violence broke out after a yearly Easter Night ritual of a roving band of rowdy youths walking to Times Square after attending the auto show at the Javits Center." And a security guard in Times Square told the Post, "This kind of nonsense [on Easter night] has been going on for the five years I've been here." more ›

City Council passed legislation creating a specific crime classification for gang initiations—but opponents say the new bill could put innocent kids behind bars and lead them toward gangs. Gotham Gazette reports that the bill establishes a misdemeanor offense for gang initiations that prosecutors can use as an additional charge against suspects. Prosecutors don't need to demonstrate that someone was hurt in an initiation to use the new law, meaning they won't need a victim's testimony to prove a crime occurred. Critics say that's a loophole that could allow police to arrest innocent people with little evidence. Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Queens) disagrees: "You can't pull anyone off the corner with this law ... That's ridiculous." more ›

A menacing text message saying, "Oct. 21st starts gang initiation week they are rumored to try to kill 140 Woman.PLZ FORWARD This can save our women!" frightened some northern NJ students, but police say the so-called "Red October" gang initiation rites are an "urban legend." Newark police director Gerry McCarthy said, "Every Halloween, people were talking about gang initiation, but there is not a shred of evidence to prove that it's true." In NYC, gang initiation day is allegedly April 12. more ›

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