do not know where any of these places are but they all seem to have gang history.

Yes, they do have a lot of history in that direction. Astoria is kind of a mixed bag of families controlling different money making aspects and/or small geographical areas.

There even became a Greek organized crime syndicate at one point after the Greek population rose to become the largest outside of Athens. A guy named Spiro was their Godfather and granted protection by the Italians for the right kick-upstairs percentage. (without stepping on other's toes as well)

Colombo had his 'Italian American League' there and was killed for it. The other families frowned upon his attention getting openness at the time.

I don't expect all readers to know some of these places mentioned at times in my writing. It helps with my credibility though, with people who DO know ;>)