DETROIT STREETS CHRONICLES: THE RISE AND FALL OF THE PURPLE GANG

Step into the gritty streets of 1920s Detroit, where ambition, violence, and power collide. In this episode of Detroit Streets Chronicles, we unravel the chilling saga of the Purple Gang—one of the most feared and ruthless criminal organizations to ever haunt the Motor City. Born from the tenements of Detroit’s lower east side, these Jewish immigrants carved their empire through bloodshed and bootlegging, holding the city in their iron grip.

With unparalleled access to smuggling routes from Canada, they reigned supreme during Prohibition, outpacing rival gangs and forging alliances with the infamous Al Capone. Their bloody path to dominance was paved with bombings, assassinations, and massacres, none more shocking than the infamous Collingwood Manor Massacre of 1931, which sent shockwaves across the nation.

But as their power grew, so did the cracks within. Fueled by betrayal, greed, and law enforcement’s relentless pursuit, the gang’s brutal reign came crashing down. Yet, even in their fall, they left an indelible mark on Detroit’s underworld, shaping the criminal landscape for decades to come.

Join us as we explore the rise and fall of the Purple Gang—an untold tale of terror, ambition, and betrayal. This is the story of how a group of outcasts became kings of Detroit’s streets… and how their empire crumbled under the weight of its own violence.