Tonight in Frankford: Ask-a-Gangster

Thug life at the Frankford Historical Society.

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Tonight in Frankford: Ask-a-Gangster

POSTED: Tuesday, April 10, 2012, 4:59 PM

The letters K and A, in Philadelphia, are shorthand for trouble. In the 1950s, what started as an efficient burglary ring evolved into the K&A Gang, considered to be partly (along with the Junior Black Mafia) responsible for making Philadelphia the  meth capital of the world in the 1980’s. And if you’ve ever wanted to ask real-life old-school mob guys questions, this is your moment.

Local author and Temple professor Allen M. Hornblum will be speaking with the Frankford Historical Society about his latest book “Confessions of a Second Story Man: Junior Kripplebauer and the K & A Gang”. Hornblum describes the K & A Gang as “two-fisted, beer-guzzling, ear- and nose-biting hoodlums”. The books focuses on the gang’s roots as a chaotic and un-slick group of thieves consistantly avoided police and became  Philadelphia drug kingpins within 30 years of formation. Hormblum has also invited several retired K&A gang members to share their experiences and answer questions.

The event will be held at the Frankford Historical Society today at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Members of the Frankford Historical Society get in free; everybody else pays $5. The society is located at 1507 Orthodox St., and can be reached at 215-743-6030.

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