The Line Officer Function
CJUS 104
Part 9: Gangs
1.
Gangs in America
- the final chapter
A. History
(1) They have been around forever
- big city Europe
- early America
- flourished in the 1920s /juveniles-adults
(2) 1940s = called “rat packs”
- Westside Story = Sharks /Jets
(3) Weapons used:
- chains /knives /zip guns /revolvers /fists
- protected their neighborhood
- paid protection by local businesses
- fought with outside /rival gangs
(4) Reasons for joining = same as today
- friendship /protection /fear
- money /girls /recognition
B. Gangs today
- tremendous growth
(1) Located throughout country
- every state /major city
- moving into small town America
(2) Violent gangs
- well armed /prefer automatic weapons
- 1960s /1970s = Viet Nam vets
- believe in violence
(3) Many are not afraid = arrested /killed
- black gang members of inner city =
will die before 25th birthday
(4) Don’t care who they kill
- drive-by shootings = innocent victims
- people they don’t know
C. It is a brotherhood
- they are family
(1) Take care of each other
- revenge = death /injury
- enforce own rules /laws
(2) Types of gangs
- think of Crips /Bloods
- brought about by the notoriety
(a) Not only black gangs
- white supremacists / Hispanic /Asian
/Jamaican /Colombian /others
- also motorcycle gangs
2. Outlaw motorcycle gangs
- older teens /adults
A. Today’s estimate = 550 OMG’s
- oldest violent gangs in United States
(1) Gained national attention = 1947
- American Motorcycle Association
- hill climb = Hollister, California
- turned into riot
(2) Second hill climb = 1947 in Riverside, CA
- another riot and two deaths
(3) 1948 – again in Riverside = riot occurred
- given name “outlaws”
- trace origins to Hell’s Angels
- WWII bomber group
B. 1950’s /1960’s
- younger /rebellious generation
- many = ex-military from WWII /Korean War
- looking for excitement /good times
- involved in general lawlessness
(1) Movies being made at the time
- built interest /reputations
- Wild Ones /Easy Rider /Hell on Wheels
(2) Goal of OMG’s
- riding /drinking /fighting /sex
C. 1970’s = drug users /then drug dealers
(1) Now sophisticated criminal organizations
- primary interest = making money
(2) Traffic in drugs /firearms
- also: arson /bombings /contract killings
(3) Primary opponent = ATF
D. The Big Five
- primary OMG’s
- one-percenter motorcycle clubs
(1) Hell’s Angels
- Fontana, CA = 1950
- Sonny Barger = president (Oakland)
- 425 chapters throughout the world
- 100’s of patch wearing members
- wealthiest /most powerful
(2) Outlaws
- McCook, Illinois = 1935 (Outlaw 1959)
- largest m/c in country
- 25 US chapters
- 6 Canadian chapters
- 1500 members
(3) Pagans
- Prince George Co, Maryland = 1959
- 44 chapters New York to Florida
- 900 members
- ties to organized crime
- hit men /drug dealers
(4) Bandidos
- Houston, Texas = 1966
- 26 chapters = one in Bremerton, WA
- 500 members /2000 associates
(5) Sons of Silence
- Niwot, Colorado = 1966
- 15 chapters
- 275 patch wearing members
3. Black gangs
- original Black gangs = 1920’s
- So. Central Los Angeles / Detroit / Chicago
- started as social groups
- late 60’s /70’s = gangs as we know today
A. Two primary groups = CRIPS / BLOODS
- divide into sets
- take names from local areas
- Rollin 60 / Hoover / Kitchen / Santana
- Leuders Park / Crenshaw Mafia / Elm Lane
(1) CRIPS
- West Los Angeles = Washington High
- strongest force in numbers
- preyed on non-gang members
(a) Other gangs renamed themselves
- original name plus crip
(b) Identify with color blue
- refer to each other as “cuzz”
(c) Not really associated with other gangs
- except name / loyalty
- same leader / members
(2) Bloods
- Compton, CA = Centennial High
- developed on West Piru Street
(a) Traditional rival of Crips
- outnumbered by Crips
(b) They were strong
- made up in violence
(c) Identified with color red
- refer to each other as “blood”
B. The gangs have a formal structure
- how to enter gang (jump in)
- now new members treated (commit crime)
(1) Gang laws / codes
- many = no set leader
- look up to OG’s (older gangster)
- based on: age / time / violence / arrests
(2) Age groups
- baby gangster = 12 to 15
- gangster = 16 to 22
- older gangster = 23 and up
C. Three types of members
(1) Hard core
- need / thrive on gang activity
- level of violence / crimes is high
- street wise / respect by other members
(2) Associates
- hang around = status / recognition
(3) “Wanna Be”
- try to join gang / start own gang
D. Appearance
- 16 to 25
- Fila brand / Adidas shoes / similar clothing
- national sports brands = jackets / hats
(1) Clothing
- blue or red
- piece of clothing or “rag”
- pants worn low = sagging
- specific walk or strut
(2) Clothing styles vary = area to area
E. Actions
- rarely have identification on person
- rarely give true name = monikers / alias
(1) Notes on person = graffiti style
- officer indicator = gang related
(2) Usually armed
- gun located nearby
- held by girlfriend / female member
(3) Usually polite to law enforcement
- dislike being detained
- do not want to be searched / or vehicle
F. How to identify a gang member
- police = must have three indicators
- cannot stop “just because”
(1) Colors / associates / signs / graffiti /
known gang member / tattoos / monikers
(2) Majority come from broken homes
- no strong male figure / authority
- no supervision
4. Hispanic gangs
- US fifth largest Spanish speaking country
- Los Angeles = 2nd largest Spanish speaking
city / second to Mexico City
A. History
- similar to Black gangs
(1) South Central Los Angeles
- neighborhoods = “barrios”
- started = friendships / social groups
(2) They are territorial
- protect own neighborhood
- began by fighting among themselves
(a) Impose on other neighborhoods
- fought to protect their “turf”
(b) American born gangs
- fought immigrant gang members
(3) 1960s = started wearing similar dress
- began = symbol of their heritage
- khaki pants / khaki shirt / white t-shirt
- black shoes / black belt / hair greased
B. Late 1960s /early 70s = drug involvement
- both use / drug running
(1) Actions became more violent
- competing for drug profits / land control
- fought White / Black / Hispanic gangs
(a) Dealt primarily in own territory
- outsiders drive in to buy drugs
(2) Began spreading across country
- moved to rural / agricultural areas
- some associate with Mexican Mafia
(3) Corridors = run drugs from Mexico to US
- families / friends / associates
- smuggle drugs to various gangs
- gangs distribute drugs
(4) Some followed Black gangs
- traditional dress / certain gang color
- refer = cholo / homie / home boy
- used gang signs / graffiti = recognition
(5) Gangs even in prison
- keep contact out on street
- recruit new members inside prison
C. Graffiti
- “Placa”
- used by Hispanic gangs
- communicate among themselves
- with outside gang members
(1) Mark neighborhoods / territory
- warning to other gangs
- remind people living in neighborhood
(2) On walls / property of other gangs
- challenge
- moniker of certain gang member
- marked for death
- to show they invaded their territory
(3) Used for recognition
- immortalize / tribute = died
- praise “heroic” acts
(4) Hispanic graffiti = art
- drawings on sidewalks / buildings
- wording used
- colors have meaning