European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - September 12, 1978, Darmstadt, Hesse                                New York City cop patrols crime plagued Chinatown where youth gang Leader Nicky Louie right was recently riddled with bullets in a struggle for Power within the Community. Buhls for Micky Louie a a tale of Chinatown gangs by Peter Arnett associated press icky Louie had a smile for everyone but recently his Charm failed. Somebody shot him in the head. This May help him make a decision he had told acquaintances he was wrestling with retire Early or at age 23 move further into International gangsterism. Police in the Chin towns of new York Boston Chicago and Toronto Are interested in his decision. But they la have to wait. The Bullet Ridden Louie with serious wounds in the head and Back lies in a new York City hos Pital. He is in satisfactory condition but faces several weeks in intensive care. I Don t Trust anyone he had told a reporter last year and Only his parents have been allowed past the round the clock police guard at his door to find out How he feels now. Up outsiders now avoid Chinatown because of the activities of chinese youth gangs there. Tuesday september 12, 1978 daily Magazine Nicky Louie s Fate is being watched by new York police who have for nearly a decade been attempting to stamp out Chinatown gangs. Hired As thugs to protect the traditional illegal Gam bling that flourishes in chinese communities the aggressive teen agers soon went into business for themselves and profits grew into the millions. Famous Chinatown streets such As Mott and Pell became prosperous turf for youth gangs calling them selves such names As the White eagles and the flying dragons. They systematically demanded Protection Money from businessmen and their own rivalry some times erupted in gunfire. Gangs sprang up in other american and Canadian cities accompanied by Public shootouts and private murders. Police seemed unable to penetrate the traditional chinese silence toward outside authority even though some Chin towns were threatened with bankrupt  believe that Nicky Louie tried to link it All to Gether. He tried to be the Joe Columbo of chinese ances try commented one detective referring to a new York organized crime chieftain with National connections who was gunned Down several years ago. Louie does t seem the Type. Pale and Boyish he is a Dresser so Natty that even his jeans Are carefully pressed. He would smile disarmingly at reporters who sought to interview him at the wha Sun Coffee shop his favorite haunt on Mott Street. Police who have arrested him several times Over the years Only to release him when witnesses fail to testify say Louie is above average in intelligence and Leader ship qualities. But in other ways he is similar to most other youth gang members. With the chinese name Lin Poy Luy he arrived in new York 12 years ago with his immigrant parents from Hong Kong. He left a dilapidated tenement to head a teen age gang that called itself the ghost shadows and roamed one of the poorer neighbourhoods of Chinatown. By 1974, the ghost shadows had pushed out competing gangs and moved to the heart of the Community. They had Power Over the narrow twisting steels Puls ing with restaurants grocery stores with dressed ducks in the windows chinese fruit and vegetable markets and movie Heaters with patrons wearing the Black costumes of old China. By 1977, police estimated the ghost shadows were taking in More than $1 million a year in extortion. Chinatown rocked with gunfights As other gangs competed but Nicky Louie reigned supreme avoid ing at least one assassination attempt. Then it All fell apart. Police say one reason was ambition. Nicky s brother Eddie led a Toronto chapter of the ghost shadows and the brother attempted to recruit gang members in Boston and Chicago. When these new recruits began arriving in new York City Nicky s formerly Loyal close knit lieu tenants rebelled because they Felt threatened by the out siders. Two nicknamed Mongo and Appl head Early this year formed another ghost shadows faction. Other gangs began muscling in. But a bigger reason for Nicky s downfall police claim is the Success of an International Campaign to stamp out chinese gangs. Following a conference in Toronto last year intelligence on gang activities is now routinely filed across the country. A special task Force of 20 new York officers was As signed to Chinatown in february and they claim to have closed every regular gambling game in the Community. There May be a floating crap game or two but that is All said capt. Allan Hoehl who Heads the Chinatown police precinct. With revenues Cut so drastically gang members became even More unruly. Nicky was Clever up to a Point one detective said. But be wanted too much and it blew up in his face. On a monday night Nicky was playing a Friendly game of Mah Jonggu in the dimly lighted basement of the Gin Beck restaurant on Mott Street. It was supposed to be a Safe Haven but a Man with a .38 pistol walked through the downstairs Kitchen and blasted Louie four times in the head and Back. Louie crawled and ran to the police station around the Corner splattering blood on the pavement. When he re gained consciousness two Days later he declined com ment on the crime although police believe he knows his assailant. Nicky s already too old for the youth gangs commented one of the investigating detectives. I d say it s time for him to  the stars and stripes Page 13