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Joint oversight hearings related to the abundant sale of gang-related paraphernalia were held Monday at City Hall.

“The sale of these items is irresponsible on all levels,” Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) said in a statement. “From the company that designs and markets them to the retailer that sells them to our youth, many of the involved parties are aware of the ongoing sale of gang-related apparel, but few have taken proactive steps to truly rectify the problem.”

The hearings were hosted by Comrie, chair of the City’s Consumer Affairs Committee, and Councilman Peter Vallone Jr., chair of the Public Safety Committee. According to the statement released by Comrie, a City Council investigation concluded retailers are knowingly selling gang apparel, such as hats and shirts.

“Some of their costumers are gang members, eager to have stylishly produced apparel touting their affiliation,” the statement read. “Others are innocent bystanders, drawn to the design of the product, but unaware of the dangerous messages conveyed.”

The companies charged with producing and selling the merchandise are New Era Cap Company, City Hunter Cap Company, Global Headwear Cap Company, K.B. Ethos Cap Company and Dr. Jays.

“These companies are exploiting a culture of violence and death for their personal profit. Each hat they sell with gang sign is an endorsement of the gang lifestyle, which plagues our communities with drugs and gunshots,” Vallone said in a statement. “We must protect people who either knowingly or unknowingly buy these products, whose lives could be put in danger if they wear them in the wrong neighborhood.”

In regards to producing and distributing gang-related apparel Tim Lee, manger of K and B Trading, which is the parent company of K.B. Ethos, said he is unaware of any such garments by his company.

“We are inspired by what’s going on in the fashion industry,” Lee said. “Most of our hats have the NY emblem.” He said he can guarantee that their merchandise are not related to gang attire. He said about two years ago they constructed merchandise with guns because of the hip hop culture. According to Lee, the current stock of their products includes rhinestones, skulls and both tiger and dragon prints.

According to Comrie’s statement, the apparel marketed to gangs is the LA Kings Retro Classic hat sold by Dr. Jays. The black hat with an embroidered royal crown on both front and back can be purchased on Dr. Jays’ Web site for $32. According to the statement, the company markets the cap under the moniker of the L.A. Kings National Hockey League Team.

“The crown used here is unlike any crown the hockey team uses on its official website,” the statement went on to say.

Lee admitted to selling hats with crowns, but he contends that the crown resembles that of one worn by a king and not an insignia of the Latin Kings.

Another hat allegedly geared towards gangs is the Starz cap, which the statement said is marketed to the Bloods Gang and is emblazoned with a five point star. The hat has been removed from Dr. Jay’s Web site.

The hearings mirror those held in December 2007, which concluded that New Era sold Major League Baseball caps that featured images commonly associated with gangs. Comrie said he was assured by New Era that “they did not support the marketing and sale of gang paraphernalia and that they would take steps to remove from circulation the questionable apparel.”

An investigation by the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office found that various stores throughout the City continued to sell the merchandise even after New Era’s assurance.