New York Best Downtown Mob History Park - Petrosino Square - Best Of New York

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Petrosino Square

That little wedge of green nestled at the corner of Lafayette and Kenmare streets is called Petrosino Square. It was spiffed up recently and makes a perfect spot for city watching—made even nicer with a little local history. First, the name: Lieutenant Joseph Petrosino lived across the street at 233 Lafayette. A tough-as-nails Italian-American cop, he so spooked the Mafia when he traveled to Sicily in 1909 to identify Black Hand gangsters preying on local immigrants that they had him murdered. Look west and there's more mob history in the little building at 218 Lafayette. That's where the country's largest pornography business was run by a Gambino crime family soldier named Robert "DeeBee" DiBernardo. It didn't help Democratic Party chances in 1984 when it became known that the smut purveyor's landlord was married to vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro. DeeBee lost his own election when John Gotti had him whacked in 1986. Look east and there's a Mexican Radio restaurant at 19 Cleveland Place. It used to be La Donna Rosa, a nice Italian joint run by Alphonse "Little Al" D'Arco. He headed the Lucchese crime family until he learned his own execution was in the works. He switched to Uncle Sam's team in 1991. It was the highest-ranking mob defection ever at the time, a move that would've pleased Lieutenant Petrosino to no end.

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babyicant

I am confused. Is this article about Petrosino Square or about Mob History. It reads like Mob History. Why is that? Your journalistic skills are below par. I had no idea the Village Voice employs imbeciles to write articles.

Mr. Petrosino waged war against the mafia and was killed by them and you are writing about what buildings the Mafia lived in? Wow, I guess the saying is correct, stupidity knows no bounds and your writing is proof positive.

Why did you not mention the fact that he was NYPD's first Italian-American detective?

Lets not forget Petrosinos' infiltration of an Italian-based anarchist organization which assassinated King Umberto I of Italy. Mr. Petrosino found out about a plan that the group had to assassinate President William McKinley during his trip to Buffalo. Petrosino warned the Secret Service, and even the Vice President Teddy Roosevelt vouched for Petrosino, but William McKinley ignored both the secret service and Roosevelt....McKinley was assassinated.

Or how about when Angelo Carboni, was being sent to the electric chair, Petrosino tracked the real killer down through 2 countries and saved an Innocent mans life.

Over 250 thousand people attended his funeral which was over 5 hours long.

You mentioned in your article the Lieutenant Petrosino would have been pleased to no end that Alphonse "Little Al" D'Arco. switched sides?????? That would have pleased him. A coward running to the police because this coward found out about a hit on him? Honesty and Bravery would have pleased Petrosino to no end. Like the time when he dragged the Calabrian Don Enrico Alfano from Alfano apartment down the streets to the police station so people would see what eventually happens to criminals in New York City. That my dear is Bravery.

I could go on and on but I will not, I believe I said my peace. Hopefully my comment will educate people who are not aware of this Magnificent Man.