People die, move, sell. But 10-15 years ago you couldn't walk up Graham Ave from the BQE to say at least Ainslie, Manhattan Ave likewise, Metropolitan from say Leonard to Graham and NOT hearing some Italian and lots of Spanish. There were still two or three social clubs that part WB ten years ago-- sometimes there would be small parades with marching bands, can't recall what Saint's day or other holiday they were commemorating. Go up and down Graham, you'll still see St. Cono icons and whatnot.

Also, I "suspect" there's more mob activity around then appears again this is consistent with greater trends in discretion, see also Bushwick, Ridgewood, Maspeth etc.