Trinidad has approximately 95 gangs who engage in high levels of violence; gang violence accounted for the majority of murders perpetrated between 2001 and 2013 (Hill, 2013; Katz, Maguire, Choate, 2011 Seepersad, 2016). Persons in gangs are more likely to commit violent, property, and drug crimes (Katz & Choate, 2006; Seepersad, 2016). Law enforcement and government officials are acutely concerned with understanding the nature of gang violence in Trinidad and developing strategies to decrease the rate of violence in high crime urban communities. Using data from 35 semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and ethnographic observations with community members, police officials, and gang members from seven high crime communities in Port of Spain, this paper investigates the impact of gang violence on urban communities and the unique role of gangs in these neighborhoods. Our findings reveal the prominent and dominant nature of certain gangs and their formidable role in controlling turf and using violence to retaliate and intimidate.