Identifying and Understanding Street Gangs Defining a Gang

Identifying and Understanding Street Gangs

Defining a “Gang” n n At least 2 persons; Federal at least 5 An allegiance or association Individual or collective activity Commission of criminal acts

National Institute of Justice n 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 n n 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 n n Gang could have as few as three members or as many as thousands Include very young and those in middle age By 6 th grade: witnessed 100, 000 acts of violence and 8, 000 murders Confusion of Fantasy Vs. Reality

Identification Criteria n n n Must meet a # of criteria (state specific) Self Admission of Parent/Guardian Association with known gang members Arrest with known gang members Physical evidence/photographs

Identification Criteria n n 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? n n n 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 n n n n 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 LEADERSHIP HARDCORE CLIQUES ASSOCIATES FRINGE WANNA-BE’S

Leadership n n n 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 n n n 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 n n 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 n n 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) n n 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 n n 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 n 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? n n Safety “Knowledge is power” Evaluate level of involvement/knowledge Stroke the ego = better results

The Nations PEOPLE NATION • Represent on their left side or hand • Identify with the number 5 FOLKS NATION • Represent on their right side or hand • Identify with the number 6 • Pitch Fork • Crips, Black Gangster Disciples, Satan Disciples • Latin Kings, Bloods, Netas, Vice Lords • Pitch Fork

BLOODS

BLOODS n n n n 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 n n Members refer to being part of a “set” Identify with the number “ 5” (crown, dice, etc. ) “BULLS” Body Soul Lust n n n Unity Love 5 Main Colors: Red & Black (Adopting green) Common Terms: “Dawg”, “Pup”, “Homies” Initiations: Beat in, Blood in, Sexed in, Blessed in, “Buck-fifty” n n Know your codes/lessons/oath/prayers/pledge/31 Rules Only “in” on the 31 st of the Month

BLOODS n n n n “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 n n 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 n n n Memos, courts, promotions, violations, bio sheets, logos, ID cards PA Chapter: “Lion’s Pride” “ 360’s”, “Universal”, Parades

LATIN KINGS n n n n 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 n n n 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 n n n n n 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 n Star of David Life Wisdom n n n Love Loyalty Understanding Knowledge Crip Rules of Life, Oath, Prayers, Pledges & Chants Grapes = Crips Music, Sports, Celebrities: n n n Ice t Snoop Dog Easy E

Our Awareness n n n 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

References Gangs: 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) gripe 4 rkids. org gangsorus. com streetgang. com

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