Gangs Riot in Times Square

Flocksof gangbangers descended on Times Square to wreak havoc last night, in what has become something of an Easter tradition. Hundreds of police were on hand, but they struggled to disperse the young people as they burst into stores and harassed pedestrians. “There's a lot of young kids outside in groups of 15 to 20 people, and police are running to catch them,” said one shop owner on 42^nd Street.

Easter has become known as “gang initiation day” in the city, the New York Post explains. “This kind of nonsense has been going on for the five years I’ve been here,” says one security guard. “The police try to maintain the crowd, but while one side of the street is maintained, on the other side, a fight breaks out.” Police arrested at least 30 people, including seven juveniles. Three people were shot in the area, though police aren’t sure if those incidents were related. (More gangs stories.)