Revere’s Dark Past: Exploring the Influence of Southeast Asian Gangs in the 1980s and 90s.

In the 1980s, Massachusetts experienced a significant influx of Southeast Asian refugees fleeing their homelands. In this episode, Jason Trimmins explores the violent history of Southeast Asian, particularly Cambodian, street gangs in Revere, Massachusetts, focusing on the Shirley Avenue area from the late 1980s to the early 2000s. He examines how the arrival of these refugees, especially Cambodians, altered the demographics of Revere and other cities in Massachusetts. Prominent gangs like the Tiny Rascals (TRG) and Blood Red Dragons(BRD) arose, resulting in territorial conflicts, criminal activities, and a dramatic shift in the local community’s landscape. Trimmins also recounts a personal experience from 2001 to illustrate the tense atmosphere in Revere during that era. Jason Trimmins further provided background information on the gangs, their origins, and their activities. He also discussed the impact of the gangs on the Revere community.