Gang Presentation
Bill Mertig, RCPD
This is a presentation that was
provided to me by a friend at the FBI.
I hope it helps give you a little
knowledge of the basics on gangs.
• A gang is defined as a group of three or
more people, male or female, who interact
among themselves to the exclusion of others.
• They have a group name.
• They claim a territory or neighborhood.
• They may have recognizable symbols or
graffiti.
• They engage in crime or anti-social behavior
that supports the gang’s existence and
enhances the reputation of the gang.
INDICATORS OF
GANG ACTIVITY
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Increase in graffiti
Slang talk/sign flashing
New clothing styles
Increase in narcotics
MOTIVATORS FOR JOINING
CRIMINAL STREET GANGS
• Protection
• Money & Drugs
• Control of the
Environment
• Racial
Similarities
• Cultural
Similarities
• Acceptance by
Peers
• Loyalty and
Reward
• Recruitment
• Intimidation
• Control of Turf
• Common Enemies
** FINALLY A SENSE OF BELONGING**
Gangs and the Military
There is ample evidence that
members of the Armed Forces have
had previous, or have current and
active contact with criminal street
gangs and extremist groups.
WHY GANG MEMBERS
JOIN THE MILITARY
• Attempt to leave the Gang Life
• Seeking Legal Employment
• Recruitment of Dependents and
Soldiers
• Weapons Acquisition/Trafficking
• Learn Tactics
• Drug Trafficking
MILWAUKEE
SOUTH SIDE GANGS
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PEOPLE
FOLKS
NEUTRAL
SURENOS
Alliances
• Think of this as the American and
National leagues of gangs
• Milwaukee affiliated gangs
People Nation Folk Nation
Latin Kings
Vicelords
Insane Unknowns
Nasty Boys
Gangster Disciples
Maniac Latin Disciples
Spanish Cobras
Spanish Gangster Disciples
21st St. Boys (2-1’s)
• Gangs (30,000+) membership in US
documented at over 1 million +
"Latin Kings"
• The Latin Kings grew out of the 1940 and 50’s Chicago gang wars.
• One of their slogans, Amor De Rey, means "King Love".
• They developed a philosophy of "Kingism" and became a part of the
"People Nation" under the 5-point star during the 1960’s polarization of
Chicago gangs.
• They will also use a 5-point crown or 3-pointed crown.
• They have an established "Charter" and have well documented rules
which members must strictly adhere to.
LATIN KINGS
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Approximately 200 members in Milwaukee.
Colors are Black and Gold.
Represent to the left.
Common tattoos are a Crown, “LK”, “ALKN”
and set markings.
• Most gangs considered rivals. Get along with
Insane Unknowns, C-14’s and Nasty Boy’s.
• Latest violence- killed pregnant girl in broad
daylight on Southside.
INSANE UNKNOWNS
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Approximately 20 members.
Colors are Black and white
Represent to the left.
Common tattoo “Grim Reaper” , “IUNK”
Rivals to most gangs.
Get along with the LK, LF, LP, C-14, MSLS8,
Latin Bloods, Nasty Boys.
NASTY BOYS
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Approximately 10 members left.
Colors are dark blue.
Represent to the left.
Tattoos include ‘”Nasty Boys”
Rivals to most gangs. Aligned with the Latin
Kings. Get along with LF’s, LP’s, C-14’s,
MSLS8’s, Latin Bloods.
FOLKS
MANIAC LATIN DISCIPLES
• Approximately 10-20 members remain. Leader
coming out of prison soon. (Oscar Alonzo, a.k.a.
“Demon”).
• Colors baby blue/white/black.
• Represent to the right.
• Common Tattoos “pitchforks”, “MLD”, “upside
down swastika.
• Rivals include LK’s, Spanish Cobras (Folks), Insane
Unknowns, “2-1”s (Folks), C-14’s, Nasty Boys.
SPANISH COBRAS
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Approximately 100 members
Colors black and green.
Represent to the right.
Common tattoos “SC”, “Cobras”,
“Serpent/Snake”
• Rivals include LK’s, LF’s, Insane Unknowns,
“2-1”s, C-14’s, Nasty Boys.
• Many in jail for robberies. Responsible for
spree of 40 robberies on Southside.
‘2-1’s
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Approximately 20 members
Colors blue and white
Represent to the right
Common tattoos “Thug life”, “2-1 boys”
Rivals include LK’s, MLD’s, Spanish Cobras,
Insane Unknowns, C-14’s, Nasty Boys
SPANISH GANGSTER DISCIPLES
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Approximately 20 members
Colors are light blue
Represent to the right
Common tattoos “SGD”
Rivals include the LK’s, Insane Unknowns, C14’s and Nasty Boys
"Black Gangster Disciples and Folk Gangs"
• The Black Gangster Disciples are originally a Chicago gang.
• Founder was David "King David" Barksdale and they considered themselves
a "Nation" (BGDN) not a gang.
• Came from two different organizations that combined forces, the Black
Disciples and the Gangster Disciples. In an effort to improve their image they
are also known as Better Growth and Development
• President was David Barksdale and Vice President was Larry Hoover.
NEUTRAL GANGS
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Do not hold allegiance to a National gang.
Usually home grown.
LA FAMILIA
LOS PRIMOS
MSLS8
LA FAMILIA
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Approximately 20-25 members.
Colors Red and Black
Represent to the left.
Common tattoos are “LF”, “La Familia”
Rivals include LK’s, LP’s, SC’s, C-14’s and
Nasty Boys.
Clue
LOS PRIMOS
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Approximately 20 members
Colors Black and Light blue
Represent to the Left
Common tattoo “LP”
Rivals include Latin Kings, LF’s and Nasty
Boys.
Mexican Sureno locals Syndicate
MSLS8
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Approximately 10 members
Where hats straight.
Common tattoos “ocho”, ‘eight ball”, “8”
Unknown exactly why “8”. Many feel the
eight represents the eight founding leaders.
• Only main rival is the Latin Kings
SURENOS (SUR 13)
Surenos
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Operate on Veterano system.
Umbrella group
Align with the Mexican Mafia, a.k.a. EME.
Common tattoos and symbols:
MEXICAN POSSE
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Approximately 200 members
Colors Brown and Black
Sometimes wear the “cholo” look
Tattoos are three dots, Sureno tattoos.
Mostly made up of illegal Mexican males.
Rivals include LK’s, Brown Pride (Sur13),
Insane Unknowns, C-14’s (Sur 13), Nasty
Boys.
BROWN PRIDE
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Approximately 100 members
Colors Brown and Black
Sometimes where “cholo” look.
Sureno tattoos.
Broke from MP’s after BP member killed MP
member. Mostly legal Mexican males.
• Rivals include LK’s, MP’s, Insane Unknowns,
C-14’s, Nasty Boys
CLANTONES (C-14)
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Approximately 45 members
Colors Blue
Represent to the left (friends with LK’s)
Sureno tattoos
Predate EME (Mexican Mafia), only SURENOS
allowed to use “14”. Only Milwaukee SURENOS
actually from California.
• Rivals include MLD’s, LF’s, MP’s, BP’s, Cobras, 21’s, SGD’s
"Bloods and Pirus"
• In 1972, some Centennial High School youth in the City of Compton from Piru
Street fought Crip gang members who were expanding throughout South Central
Los Angeles.
• The Pirus beat the feared Crips that day.
• In their honor ever since, Black gang members from Compton who were not
Crips referred to themselves as Pirus.
• Other Black gangs (many of whom were already in existence for years) who
did not become aligned with the Crips, became known as Bloods.
• Bloods will usually wear red, but not always, for instance Limehood Pirus are
known to wear green.
"Crips"
• This gang was founded about 1968 by Raymond Washington and his
crime partners from the East Side (of Interstate-110) in South Central
Los Angeles.
• Washington originally started up a gang called the "Baby Avenues",
but after he got into a beef with another member, he decided to start his
own gang called the "Crips".
• By 1971, Stanley "Tookie" Williams from the West Side joined
Washington and the "Crips".
Have you seen this?
How about this?
Mara Salvatrucha (MS 13)
IA Melanie Pierson
MS-13 National Gang Task Force
Historical MS 13
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1980’s - Civil War in El Salvador.
Refugees settled in Los Angeles (Rampart Area).
Accustomed to violence.
Associated with guerrilla groups and/or military.
Little fear of government authority (LE).
Rejected and victimized by established community.
Banded together for protection.
Mara Salvatrucha
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Mara = Gang
Salva = Salvador / Savior
Trucha = Beware or lookout
Mara Salvatrucha = Lookout for the Salvadoran gang
• Sureño and MS-13
International Overview
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Central America (El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala).
Mexico
Mobility across international borders.
Extort immigrants along smuggling routes.
International networks.
El Salvador
• MS-13 exported to El Salvador from
the US.
• Rapid expansion (6-7,000)
• National Leader (Gengas)
– More organized
• Seeking better cooperation with the US and
neighboring countries. (conference)
• Mano Dura
• Super Mano Dura
• Incarceration, Rehabilitation, Reintegration, Prevention
US Overview
• Identified MS-13 activity in 42 States and DC.
• Strong presence is in California, Washington
D.C. Metropolitan Area, Texas, and New
York.
• Presence in rural areas.
• Network based on Central American
communities and day-laborer industries such
as construction, meat packing, and
landscaping.
• Varying MS-13 population estimates 6,000 –
8,000
Tattoos
Drug Prices on the outside
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1 Ounce powder cocaine $650-$850
Kilogram $18,000-$25,000
At border Kilogram $14,000
In Mexico kilogram $8000-$10,000
Pound of Marijuana $600-$800.
NEW GANG SCAM