Midtown Businesses Report Relief Amid Increased NYPD Presence Targeting "Little Devils" Gang

Midtown, New York City – Local business owners in Midtown are experiencing a significant reduction in disruptive incidents, attributing the positive shift to an enhanced presence by the New York City Police Department (NYPD). This development follows ongoing concerns regarding the activities of a group known as the "Little Devils Migrant Gang," which has been linked to various criminal acts in the area.

A recent social media post by Viral News NYC highlighted the community's appreciation, stating, "Store owners in Midtown tell me the past few days have been much quieter. They credit the NYPD’s increased presence and say they’re extremely grateful to the @NYPDPC and the entire department for stepping in and bringing relief to the area." This sentiment underscores the immediate impact of law enforcement's stepped-up efforts.

The "Little Devils," formally known as "Los Diablos de la 42" (Devils of 42nd Street), are identified as a subset of the notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Operating primarily in Times Square and Midtown, this group includes individuals as young as 11 years old and has been implicated in numerous robberies, assaults, and other offenses. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny has previously stated, "We’re not talking petty larceny... We’re talking robberies, we’re talking felonies, we’re talking stabbings."

In response to the escalating issues, the NYPD has intensified patrols and deployed additional resources to Midtown's commercial districts. Assistant Chief of Detectives Jason Savino indicated that the NYPD successfully drove the gang out of Central Park through increased presence and is working to replicate that success in Times Square. The department has also utilized its gang database to track members, with a significant number of arrests occurring in Midtown.

Despite arrests, many young members have reportedly been released due to their age and current legal frameworks, posing ongoing challenges for law enforcement. The gang is also known to recruit children from migrant shelters, further complicating efforts to curb their activities. The increased police visibility, however, appears to be providing a tangible sense of security and relief for local businesses and residents.