In 1976, David Berkowitz, infamously known as the 'Son of Sam,' terrorized New York City by committing a series of shootings that resulted in six deaths and several injuries. Berkowitz claimed that he was following orders from a demonic dog, which captivated media attention and instilled fear in the public. His crimes not only highlighted issues of mental health and gun control but also influenced popular culture, inspiring numerous films, books, and discussions about the nature of evil in society.

The Son of Sam murders in 1976 instigated a wave of paranoia that shaped gritty New York school poetry. Poets like Allen Ginsberg and Frank O'Hara captured the urban anxiety of the time, using their work to explore themes of fear and societal breakdown, reflecting the darker undercurrents of contemporary life.