The New York Police Department (NYPD) issued warnings to its officers regarding MS-13’s plans to “hit” their homes while they are off duty to improve the gang’s “street credibility.”
The 105th precinct in the Queens borough of New York City issued the warning on Feb. 26, according to a New York Post report, which cites an internal memo stating that the gang plans to “hit” officers’ homes in the Long Island area.
“Intel has been obtained that members of MS13 are looking to ‘hit’ NYPD police officers,” the memo states, “specifically in the Brentwood/Central Islip area, as well as possibly Patchogue in order to gain street credibility. These members are conducting reconnaissance of [member of service] private residences.”
Law enforcement was advised in the memo to “always be cognizant,” be aware of their surroundings, change up their regular daily routines, and look out for suspicious vehicles or activity.
“Out of an abundance of caution, an officer safety alert was sent of an unverified threat by MS13 targeting law enforcement officers,” NYPD spokeswoman Sgt. Jessica McRorie said.
MS-13 is a violent gang that President Donald Trump has described as “worse than al-Qaeda” and is active in 42 states and Washington. It’s growing activity is linked to the high numbers of Central American immigrants that came into the United States both legally and illegally during roughly the past decade.
“MS-13 is a unique problem because of the unusually brutal crimes its members have committed, its success in using intimidation to victimize and control people in its territory, and its focus on recruiting young members, often in schools,” the Center for Immigration Studies explains.
In a 2018 study, the center found “506 MS-13 members [who had been] arrested or charged with crimes that were reported in 22 states,” 80 of which were reported in New York.
Earlier this month, a 20-year-old New York MS-13 member named Abel Mossowas was arrested and taken into custody for shooting and killing a man on the subway in what was likely a gang-related altercation.
Massowas has previously been arrested and was part of a “criminal group gang case,” according to ABC7.
