East New York is a neighborhood in Brooklyn which has had a dramatic turn around prior to 15 years ago. It is mostly populated by African Americans and Hispanics. There is still some violence that tears apart East New York. Most dwellers are of low income families.

Roughly coterminous with the NYPD's 75th Precinct, East New York has the highest crime rate in Brooklyn and perhaps in the entire city. It can be an incredibly frightening locale for lost white suburbanites; the sheer run-down, desolate quality of the neighborhood evokes the feel of cities like Newark, New Jersey more than that of New York City.

The community, which has a heavy manufacturing and industrial base, is economically depressed, which has created a host of socioeconomic problems including unemployment. Additionally, the neighborhood's high school has one of the lowest graduation rates in New York City, at 27.9%.