The Warriors - The Neighbourhoods of New York (The Bronx) Feature

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.

Landlords facing financial ruin would burn down their buildings to try and recover some of their losses from insurance claims. Others burned as a result of accidents related to decaying electrical systems. Residents that remained got used to sleeping with their shoes on, so they could quickly escape if their building began to burn. As vacancy rates increased, building owners were left with no incentive to upgrade or maintain their properties.

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 irreparable 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 hasnâ??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.

THE BRONX (Pelham) GANG: Turnbull ACs

In The Warriors, the vicious Turnbull ACs rule the Bronx and are one of the most feared gangs citywide. Their headquarters is not far from the Pelham St. subway stop. Letâ??s take a look at the detail and design Rockstar Toronto has put into creating this Bronx neighborhood.

The Pelham subway station is a wide, outdoor cement platform. Enclosed by barbed wire and chain link fences, cops are always watching for gangs crossing the tracks. Keep your head up and watch for oncoming trains. Make sure to stay behind the line when nearing the edge.

Bums, junkies and transients can be frequently found traveling through huge sewer pipes that run under the city. Find an entrance to the sewers. Use them as a shortcut to launch a surprise attack against the Turnbulls. Graffiti, garbage and standing water are all a part of the devastation found throughout each Bronx neighborhood in The Warriors.

In the sewers, fires burn throughout the night in garbage cans. Bums live in tiny metal shacks alongside rivers of sludge and waste. Enlist some of the hobos to help beat down the Turnbulls who rule this turf with an iron fist.

Though Pelham is known exclusively as Turnbulls turf, the Riffs have a gambling club set up not far from the subway station. This ultra exclusive, private club is a den for drugs, gambling and organized crime. Keep the Riffs happy and avoid starting any trouble with them at all cost.

The official club of the Turnbull ACs, the â??Red Devilâ? is a drinking establishment only for the most hardcore. This out of the way spot always has live music and is definitely for locals only. Avoid the â??Red Devilâ?, especially late at night.

The house band at the â??Red Devilâ? rocks hard on and on into the night, but they never really get their rocks off. The crowd sways like zombies as they plod through one bar chords, muddy licks and croaked out vocals. When not listening to music, playing pool or pinball, any Turnbulls in the â??Red Devilâ? can be found over at the bar pounding shots.

The power grid in Pelham is the main source of energy for most of the Bronx. Without it the streets wouldnâ??t be safe for anyone. Next to the power grid is a switching station. Trains periodically pass by on the tracks between the station and the adjacent building. An elevated iron platform surrounds the switching station providing a birdâ??s eye view of the turf, a notorious Turnbull hangout. Be careful of broken glass from all of the smashed bottles.

TVG would like to thank Rockstar for providing us with that introduction to The Bronx. Weâ??ll have further coverage on The Warriors shortlyâ?¦