Sini was a pragmatist. Given the police’s wretched reputation in the Latino community, he spoke publicly about the need to rebuild trust, especially if he wanted to root out local gangsters. Most of the victims of MS-13 on Long Island were immigrants themselves, and many had come to the US recently as unaccompanied children. The gangsters and their victims lived together in the same towns, went to the same schools, and vied for the same jobs. Their lives were thoroughly enmeshed. Without cooperation from witnesses (sharing tips, lodging complaints, asking for help), the police were adrift.
...more
