Red Hook's history reveals its role in the rise of the New York Mafia

Red Hook, a Brooklyn neighborhood known for its IKEA, has a history tied to the Mafia. In the early 20th century, Irish gangs controlled the docks until Italian mobs, known as la Mano Nera, took over during Prohibition, leading to increased violence and crime. Frank Dimatteo, who grew up in Red Hook, witnessed mob activities and violence firsthand. He describes how the Italian mob, led by figures like Frankie Yale, enforced protection rackets and committed murders to maintain control. Yale was eventually killed by a hit squad sent by Al Capone in 1928. Today, Red Hook is undergoing slow gentrification, with city plans for an $80 million overhaul of its port. Despite rising rents, the area has not transformed as quickly as nearby neighborhoods. Dimatteo reflects on his violent upbringing but has since become an author and family man.