Errol Flynns
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The Errol Flynns were a criminal organization, or
This
History
Like other Detroit street gangs, such as their Westside Detroit counterparts in the late 1970s; the Nasty Flynns (later the NF Bangers), and 7 Mile Killers or 7 Mile Dogs or the drug consortiums of the 1980s such as
The Errol Flynns were regarded as perhaps the most notorious group for various reasons. Firstly, they took great pride in their physical appearance and style, something that attracted a lot of youth to their parties. The poverty and urban decay percolating through Detroit made the gang lifestyle attractive to many. Secondly, Detroit underwent a demographic shift with the white flight that began in the 1950s. Many of the public housing projects such as Herman Gardens went from racially diverse communities to homogeneous black residences in a matter of years.
The Errol Flynns became a wealthy organization that dominated many criminal
The Errol Flynn gang eventually collapsed in the 1980s, partially because of the rise of crack cocaine, which undermined the profitability of the heroin trade dominated by the Flynns. Furthermore, the successful prosecution of many gang leaders, ravaged the gang.
One member, who made a successful transition from criminal to lawful citizen turned famed jurist, is Greg Mathis: a lawyer and former Michigan judge who has had his own Emmy-winning television court show, Judge Mathis, since September 1999 (one of the longest running court show programs). He published a memoir; Inner City Miracle, in 2002, partially chronicling his time in the gang. The Errol Flynns are recognized as the precursors to most, if not all, Detroit gangs that followed in their wake. Some of the most notable successors include the "Be Like Boys", "Dexter Boys" (an offshoot of YBI), "Schoolcraft Boys or SCB's", "SNS", "Fenkell Boys", "FMK" ("Fenkell Mafia Killers"), "7 Mile Killers or 7 Mile Dogs", "Linwood Boys", "Brewster Boys", "Jeffries Boys", and "8 Mile sconys." All of these crews, excepting the "Be Like Boys" gang, are named after Detroit city streets or housing projects and some of these gangs still exist under new leadership.
Former members
- Greg Mathis
- Dancing Dan, Earl Smith (co-founder).
References
- Mathis, Greg and Blair S. Walker. Inner City Miracle, Ballatine: New York, 2002.
- Owen, Frank. "Detroit Death City." Playboy August (2004) 60-64.