The idea of “protection” is central to the book, cropping up here and in many different sections. Simply put, the BKs intimidate most people running gray-market business in the projects into paying “tax” to them, which, the BKs claim, is money the BKs can then use to support their organization. The BKs, in turn, stand between the gray-market business and any other entity that might attempt to disrupt it – most likely the police or another gang. This kind of “protection” is not really optional, though, as evident in this instance.