Trinitarios

Trinitarios

The Trinitarios, a family also known as 3NI, started in the late 1980s in the New York state prison system. It is most frequently associated with the Marcy Houses in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. El Caballon is known to be the creator of today's Trinitarios, and is currently serving 25 years to life in Sing Sing prison. He started out serving time at Rikers Island.

In early February of 1884, Juan Pablo Duarte, Francisco Del Rosario Sanchez and Ramon Matias Mella agreed to form the secret society, Trinitaria Identity, to help make the Dominican Republic independent. During this time, the country was under a degree of foreign control by countries like Haiti, Spain, France, and England. Haiti owned Santo Domingo until it gained independence in February of 1844. Ramon M. Mella launched the trabuscazo in the Puerta Del Conde, mobilizing the struggle for independence. The United States ruled the Dominican territory with a military government from 1916 to 1924, during which time the country experienced measurable economic improvements.

In homage to that same spirit of independence, a group of Dominicans that now call themselves the Trinitario formed in New York City to defend the rights of Dominican prisoners in the United States, following the slogan "Dios, Patria y Libertad" or "God, Fatherland and Liberty," the words printed at the centre of the country's flag.

The organization includes members from all ethnic backgrounds, not only Dominicans. They have been known to recruit many Puerto Ricans and South Americans.

They are sometimes known as "Patria," the term used when greeting each other. They are not affiliated with any other gang, nation, or organization.

While many members describe the Trinitarios as a family, established as a means for self-defence, the Passiac Herald News calls the Trinitarios " a criminal street gang [who] are organized...[with] a hierarchy and a chain of command. Members have been involved in crimes of all sorts -- drug distribution, assaults and home invasions."

In prison, Trinitarios have been reported by users in several different countries, with factions across South America, the Caribbean, Europe and North America, with particular influence in the east coast of the United States.

Rivalries have been reported with:
* 60th
* Bloods
* Bonz
* Crips
* Dominicans Dont Play - NYC street gang with roots to the Domican Republic. Prevalent in Washington Heights, the Bronx, and NJ. Rivals with Bloods and Trinitarios
* Latin Kings
* MS 13
* Netas


Identification

They are known for their call of "Patria." The Trinitarios primarily use green bandanas along with beaded necklaces with the colors blue, white, red, and green as identifiers. However, due to law enforcement's increasing awareness of the gang, they may not be wearing either as an identifier. Other clothing commonly used by Trinitarios include green shoe laces and/or green Nike shoes, and any article of clothing containing green. They are known for their extreme violence, as well as the use of guns, machetes and knives. Trini DPL: Dios, Patria, Libertad OT (Original Trinitario)


Territory: East Coast
Ethnicity: Hispanic (most Dominicans are Mulatto with black African heritage)
Membership: 3,000�4,000 in New York, 30,000 worldwide
Criminal activities: Drug trafficking, assault, murder, and robberies
Allies: None
Rivals: Latin Kings, People Nation, Dominicans Don't Play (DDP), Bloods, Crips, Folk Nation, Nortenos, MS13, Surenos