Aside from general statements like "the suburbs", where does the 5 families operate. Consider that there are fewer than 5 real NYC Italian neighborhoods left. Consider that Howard Beach is just about finished after the fabric of that neighborhood was destroyed last summer. Consider that Ozone is not even remotely Italian except for Linden Boulevard. Woodhaven is Italian on about one lone block.
Whitestone, Bayside, Auburndale, Middle Village and Maspeth are all fading fast. Astoria is more greek than Italian, and more hipster than either. Bensonhurst is done.
What's left?
We've got North Jersey, especially the northern stretch of Bloomfield avenue, Caldwell, lodi, Rutherford, etc. Staten Island (though a heroin epidemic there threatens the future of that enclave), parts of yonkers, toms river, farmingdale, meachem avenue in Elmont, frankilin square, carle place, bellmore, seeaford, etc.
What else?
Why was the fabric of Howard Beach destroyed? Because of the murder of that jogger? Didn't know the impact was that big out there..
