ALL CITY: THE NEIGHBORHOODS OF NEW YORK (THE BRONX AND UPTOWN)
THE BRONX (Gunhill)
GANG: Turnbull ACs
The 1970s were disastrous for the city of New York. After experiencing its greatest loss of population in the history of the city mostly due to poor city government and neighborhood planning, the City teetered on the brink of bankruptcy. Throughout this time in the late 70s, without a doubt, the most distressed and affected neighborhood was the south Bronx, just north of the island of Manhattan.
Shady landlords aimed to recoup money by torching their own properties and filing fat insurance claims. Other fires started in buildings due to run-down electrical faults, so the population of The Bronx remained on their toes, ready to split the scene at a moments notice. Higher levels of vacancy forced property owners to repair and maintain their assets in order to try and retain rent-payers.
Gun Hill Road once had two levels of train service, but the lower level has been abandoned since the termination of El service in 1973. The tracks remain but the neighborhood has suffered an irreparable slump into decline. Old signs are still visible, but in the late 70s all that remained were cheap, sleazy motels, bombed-out buildings, back alleys and stairways littered with garbage and debris.
Construction sites are common throughout the Bronx as demolition is necessary to raze hazardous structures. Equipment and scaffolding left for months is a playground for any gang that passes through.
Generators and water tanks hum through the night. Turnbull scouts patrol on foot looking out to make sure a rival gang hasn't staged a turf invasion.
A commercial hub for freight trains, the Bronx train yard is always filled with large metal cargo containers and freight trains. The Turnbulls control the main courtyard and hang out there talking trash and smoking cigarettes.
