Identifying and Understanding Street Gangs

Defining a “Gang”

At least 2 persons; Federal at least 5

An allegiance or association Individual or collective activity Commission of criminal acts

National Institute of Justice An ongoing organization, association,

or group of 3 or more persons, whether formal or informal, which meets both criteria:

- Has a common name or identifying signs, tattoos, colors, symbols or dress

- Has members or associates who, individually or collectively engage in

or have engaged in criminal activity.

Gang Ideology

Gangs are a product of the community

They are members of the same community they intimidate

Today, gangs exist in virtually every community

May be formal/informal, national/local

Gang Ideology

Gang could have as few as three members or as many as thousands

Include very young and those in middle age

By 6th grade: witnessed 100,000 acts of violence and 8,000 murders

Confusion of Fantasy Vs. Reality

Identification Criteria

Must meet a # of criteria (state specific)

Self Admission Admission of Parent/Guardian Association with known gang

members Arrest with known gang members Physical evidence/photographs

Identification Criteria

Identified by informant “Duck Rule”

If it walks like a duck,

If it talks like a duck,If it looks like a duck,Then it must be a duck.

Why join a gang?

Instant Identity/Recognition (Power/Status)

Family “Rite of Passage” (Learned)

Pseudo-Family (Food, Shelter, Love, Structure, Support)

Self-Esteem (distorted) (Talents/Success)

Protection (Security)

Intimidation (Peer pressure, extortion/assault)

History of Gangs in America

1700-1800 – Immigrants The Forty Thieves

1879 – The American Cowboy Early “Gangsters” – Al Capone/organized

crime 1920’s – African American (Boozie Gang) 1950’s – Motorcycle “Clubs” 1960’s – White Supremacists 1960-1980 – Folk/People/Bloods/Crips

Structure of a Street Gang

WANNA-BE’S

FRINGE

ASSOCIATES

HARDCORE

LEADERSHIP

CLIQUES

Leadership

More likely to be young adults/adults rather than teens

Control gang policy and activity Hand out rewards and punishments Characteristics (leader) are

reflected in activities of gang. All powerful

Hardcore

Older gang members Most violent gang activity emanates

from the hard core member Confidants of leadership Culturally/Criminally enmeshed for

life About 10% of membership

Associates

Full membership in the gang Made a personal commitment to

gang culture Dedicated to achieving recognition

needed to attain hard core status May be active or simply “on call”

Fringe

Not fully initiated Able to function outside of gang

culture Not made a commitment to a life in

the criminal gang culture May have gang’s protection and

support in exchange for specific services.

Wanna – Be’s (Gonna-Be’s)

Not actually accepted gang members

Youth who view gang as exciting place to be, where they could become “somebody”

May emulate dress, graffiti, hand signs, and other cultural symbols

May be as young as 7 or 8

Cliques

Group of associate, fringe and often wanna-be members who gravitate around one or more of the hard core gang members.

Somewhat resembles a gang within a gang

Gang Identification

Membership brings with it a separate and distinct subculture.

Includes own style of dress, nonverbal signals, speech, literature and art

These “identifiers” not only serve to identify members but to promote group solidarity.

Why train & learn?

Safety “Knowledge is power” Evaluate level of

involvement/knowledge Stroke the ego = better results

The NationsPEOPLE NATION

• Represent on their left side or hand

• Identify with the number 5

• Pitch Fork • Latin Kings,

Bloods, Netas, Vice Lords

FOLKS NATION• Represent on

their right side or hand

• Identify with the number 6

• Pitch Fork • Crips, Black

Gangster Disciples, Satan Disciples

BLOODS

BLOODS

Early 1970’s, Compton, CA, Centennial High School Avenue Boys – Raymond Washington & Stanley “Tookie”

Williams; attended Washington High School, distinct clothing

Washington, Williams started victimizing students at Centennial High School

Sylvester Scott & Benson Owens confined Washington to a wheelchair. “don’t mess with anyone from Piru Street and take that crip nigga with you.”

Founded “Piru Street Gang” and “Westside Piru” Developed into what we now know as the “Bloods”, old

African American slang term meaning “brother” Brotherly Love Overrides Oppression & Destruction of

Society

BLOODS

Members refer to being part of a “set” Identify with the number “5” (crown, dice, etc.) “BULLS” Body

Soul Unity

Lust Love

Main Colors: Red & Black (Adopting green) Common Terms: “Dawg”, “Pup”, “Homies” Initiations: Beat in, Blood in, Sexed in, Blessed in,

“Buck-fifty” Know your codes/lessons/oath/prayers/pledge/31 Rules Only “in” on the 31st of the Month

BLOODS

“Piru” – Common Blood term/name, Piru Street “Damu” – Most respected term, “blood” in Swahili “Sue-eee” & “Bbrraaaatt” – Common

calls/announcement Tattoos: 031, , Bulldogs, Dog paws, MOB

Will not use the letter “C” or will cross it Alphabet flip, coded messages 9 Trey Gangsters, Sex Money Murder,

Gangster Killer Bloods, Brick City Brims Major presence in Baltimore, Hagerstown and Eastern PA: Lehigh, Berks, Lancaster and York Counties.

LATIN KINGS 1940’s formed for “Latin Civil Rights” Considered to be one of the largest and most

violent gangs in the nation Chicago Origin – Almighty Latin Kings (Mother

Land) - Leader: Gino Colon = “Lord

Gino” New York – ALKQN (Blood Lines) - Leader: Alejandro Fernandez = “King

Tone”

LATIN KINGS

Membership requirement to be “Latin” blood. Developed into a broken rule; non-Latin blood accepted.

Main colors: Black and gold Main symbols: 5 and 3 point crowns, lions, 360,

ADR, beads Highly organized, Manifesto, meetings, minutes,

dues Memos, courts, promotions, violations, bio sheets, logos,

ID cards PA Chapter: “Lion’s Pride” “360’s”, “Universal”, Parades

LATIN KINGS

Five point crown – Respect, Honesty, Unity, Love, Knowledge

ADR – Amor De Rey (King Love) Tattoos: Crown, “LK”, ADR, 3 Dots (Mi Vida

Loca), Lions, hand sign, “Kingism”, refer to self as “Kings” Code of silence (black rose) Prayers, Oath, Rules & Regs, Codes Crown Structure

First Crown – Black Onyx; President Second Crown – White Pearl; VP Third Crown – Green Emerald; Enforcer (Security) Forth Crown – Red Ruby; Treasurer Fifth Crown- Gold Amber; Advisor, spokesman at

meetings

CRIPS

CRIPS

Early 1970’s, Raymond Washington, Stanley “Tookie” Williams.

History of name – No one really knows, many versions Identify as “sets” or “crews” Identify with the number 6, Star of David Main colors: Blue Common Terms: “Cuzz” , BK (Blood Killer) “What’s crackin’”, Drink Milk No use of letter “B”, slash rounded letters “Slob” – Derogatory name for Blood “OOW-WEE” – common call/announcement

CRIPS

Star of David Love

Life Loyalty Wisdom

Understanding Knowledge Crip Rules of Life, Oath, Prayers, Pledges & Chants Grapes = Crips Music, Sports, Celebrities:

Ice t Snoop Dog Easy E

Our Awareness Awareness during initial intake

- Clothing- Tattoos- Personal items – picture, letters, art

Incoming/outgoing mail, notes, “doodling” Language – unusual phrases/slang, always

changing Music – Tupac, The game, 50 cent, Ja Rule, Wu

Tang Clan Changing Trends: Law enforcement Neighborhood: Indiana, Pittsburgh, Altoona,

Hagerstown Lehigh, Berks, Lancaster, York

ReferencesGangs: A guide to understanding street gangs.

Fourth Edition. Al Valdez. Law Tech Publishing, 2005.

Gang Intelligence Guide, October 2006. NJ DOC, Special Investigations Division

Websites:gangsta.411.com (no www)gripe4rkids.orggangsorus.comstreetgang.com

STUDENT EXAMPLE

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