Fill - Free fillable Gang Awareness Guide As gangs become an increasing (City of Bremerton) PDF form

Gang Awareness Guide

As gangs become an increasing issue in our society, education is the key to

recognizing their activity and understanding what they are about. However,

when discussing gangs, a working deﬁ nition must be developed. Gangs are

three or more individuals, using the same name, sign or symbol who commit

criminal acts individually or as a group to further their agenda.

The following information is not exhaustive in describing gangs and their background, but is a basic

framework to educate concerned community members.

Sureños (Spanish for “Southerners”) are a group of Mexican-American street gangs with

origins in southern California (south of Bakersﬁ eld). The gang has allegiance to the CA

prison gang, Mexican Maﬁ a, aka “La Eme”. Sureños identify with “13”, “XIII”, “X3”, the letter

“M” - 13th letter in the alphabet - as homage to the Mexican Maﬁ a. They typically use the

color blue but may use other colors as well such as black or brown, dependant on the set.

The “cholo” type of dress was adopted but nowadays is far less observed as anonymity of

gang afﬁ liation has become more commonplace. Their biggest rivals are Norteños but it is

not uncommon for Sureños sets to ﬁ ght each other.

Sureño:

Gang Awareness Guide P. 1

This street gang originally started in South Central Los Angeles in the 1960’s. Stanley “Tookie”

Williams met with Raymond Lee Washington to unite local gang members to battle neighboring

street gangs. Today, the Crips are one of the largest and most violent gangs, involved in murders,

robberies, drug dealing and many other criminal pursuits. Crips identify with the color blue.

Their biggest rivals are the Bloods and disrespect in many ways - calling them “slobs”. Crips call

themselves “Blood Killas” and cross the letter “b” out or leave it off altogether. Crips do not use

the letters “ck” as it denotes “Crip Killer” and substitute it for “cc” (as in “kicc” for “kick”). While

traditionally African-American, today’s Crip membership are multi-ethnic.

Crips:

The Bloods were formed to compete against the Crips. Their origins stem from a Piru

street gang (initially a Crip set) who broke away during an internal gang war and allied

with other smaller street gangs to form the present day Bloods. Since the Bloods were

originally outnumbered 3 to 1 by the Crips, they had to be more violent. With the rise

of crack cocaine, the Bloods focused on drug dealing to make money which resulted

in even more bloodshed. As their name suggests, Bloods identify with the color red

and consider themselves “Crip Killas”. Bloods disrespect Crips by crossing out the

letter “c” and calling Crip members “Crabs”.

Bloods:

Norteños (Spanish for “Northerner”) are a group of Latino street gangs with origins in northern California (north

of Bakersﬁ eld). Members were initially part of the CA prison gang, Mexican Maﬁ a, but later

formed their own group when they were not protected or treated fairly in prison. Separation

can be attributed to a “shoe incident” which created Nuestra Familia (Our Family). Outside

of prison members are called Norteños who associate with the sombrero, the machete and

the “Huelga” bird (symbol of the United Farm Workers). They use the color red and the

number “14”, “XIV”, “X4” and the letter “N” - 14th letter of the alphabet. Their biggest rival

are the Sureños but they also ﬁ ght against Crip sets.

Norteño:

Bremerton Police Department

Gang Awareness Guide P. 2

For emergencies, call 911

09-10

The Folk Nation is a Chicago based alliance of many gangs which spread throughout the US

and Canada. Each set has its own unique colors, hand signs and organizations but have

signed a charter to join together. The Folk Nation began in 1978 within the Illinois Department

of Corrections. Generally, gangs within the Folk Nation use the six-point star, wear identiﬁ ers

on the right side (hats, bandanas, etc) and embody the pitch fork. Folk nation rivals the

People Nation. Gang sets include Black Gangsters Disciple and Gangster Disciples.

Folk Nation:

The Mara Salvatrucha (MS) are a transnational street gang that originated in Los Angeles and are widely

spread throughout the US, Canada, Mexico and Central America. In the 1980s, Salvadorian immigrants

banded together to protect themselves from already established gangs in the Pico-Union neighborhoods.

They later aligned with the Mexican Maﬁ a who protected MS members in prison and

adopted the “13” as a tribute. MS associates with “MS”, “MS13” and “Mara”. MS

typically represents themselves with blue and white (El Salvadorian ﬂ ag colors) but

also includes other colors depending on the sub-set or faction. While aligned with

Sureños, MS13 sets do have conﬂ icts with Sureños but more often ﬁ ght with Norteños.

Mara Salvatrucha (MS13):

Newest to the world of street gangs, the Insane Clown Posse (ICP) originated as fans of the Detroit born

horrorcore band the Insane Clown Posse (Psychopathic Records Label). Band members,

Violent J (Joseph Bruce) and Shaggy 2 Dope (Joseph Utsler), attest they do not promote

the gang persona. In a live performance, Bruce addressed the audience as “Juggalos”

which stuck as a name for male members. Females are called “Juggaletts”. ICP is known

for their outlandish clown make-up and associate with the “Hatchet man” symbol. ICP

members do not believe they are a gang but rather a “family” which is ideal to attract

migratory and homeless youth. They favor the colors red, orange and black. Crimes

include robberies and assaults where members are armed with edged weapons.

Insane Clown Posse:

The People Nation is another Chicago based alliance of many street gangs which

have spread throughout the US and Canada. Similar to the Folk Nation, the People

Nation formed in 1978 when the gangs El Rukns, Vice Lords and Latin Kings

banded together. Gangs within the People Nation wear identiﬁ ers to the left side

(gang signs, hats, left pant leg rolled up, folded arms with the left on top). People

Nation uses a ﬁ ve pointed star, a 3D pyramid, 5-pointed crown, a crescent moon

and playboy bunny symbol. They use an upside down pitch fork as disrespect for

Folk Nation gangs with whom they are rivals.

People Nation:

Asian Gangs:

Contrary to popular belief, Asian street gangs are not usually synonymous with the organized crime syndicates

such as the “Yakuza”. However the smaller street gangs often work for and with the syndicates. During

the 1980’s, Asians in Los Angeles and San Francisco banded together for protection from the larger Black

and Hispanic street gangs. In modern times, Asian gangs often align with Blood

or Crip sets depending on mutual enemies or criminal activities but many remain

independent due to the member’s ethnic rigidity. Group colors and symbols vary

and are not uniform or traditional. Many new Asian gangs begin as dance troupes

or road racing groups that eventually morph into criminal street gangs.

www.ci.bremerton.wa.us

andrew.oakley@ci.bremerton.wa.us

(360) 473-5231

1025 Burwell Street

Community Resource Unit

Bremerton Police Department

Bremerton, WA 98337

Download
Save PDF to desktop

Email
Email completed PDF

Send for Signing
Email for others to sign

Print
Print document

NAME

Gang Awareness Guide As gangs become an increasing (City of Bremerton)

View Audit Log
Print With Audit Log
Duplicate Document

Fill Online, Printable, Fillable, Blank Gang Awareness Guide As gangs become an increasing (City of Bremerton) Form

Related forms

Fillable Gang Awareness Guide As gangs become an increasing (City of Bremerton)

Fill Online, Printable, Fillable, Blank Gang Awareness Guide As gangs become an increasing (City of Bremerton) Form

Related forms

First 20 documents completely FREE!