Security Threat Groups Overview
Criminal Street Gangs
In the “MILITARY”
MAJ ACKLEN
Division Provost Marshal
1st Infantry Divison
NOTE: No changes will be made to this briefing without the permission of the author.
“CRIMINAL STREET GANGS”
Purpose
The goal of this “overview” is to provide general
knowledge of gang related activities and the
military connection.
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
• 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.
• The 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.
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
The military has been labeled as
a major contributor to gang,
extremist and hate groups
“WHY”
Stealing of Military Equipment
Learn New Skills
Training
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
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
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
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.
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
Gangs and the Military
Military weapons in hands of gangs
By John Kidman, Frank Walker and Eamonn Duff
October 19, 2003
The Sun-Herald
• Grenades have been found at the scenes of two recent
gang attacks, while police are investigating reports that
one group has acquired an assault rifle fitted with a
grenade launcher. Some believe the weapons to have been
imported from the war zones of the Middle East.
• Unlimited access to handguns and in some cases,
military-styled assault weapons.
• State of lawlessness as a form of "urban terrorism“.
• Semi-automatic pistols and a military assault rifle were
used to execute 34-year-old father-of-four.
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
Effects on the U.S. NAVY
• Several black males came to San Angelo from Houston,
Texas, to establish a branch of the “Lynch Mob.” One
active duty U.S. Navy E-5 was been identified
associating with these gang members
• In Shreveport, Louisiana, a U. S. Navy active duty
member and a civilian were shot while attending a
cookout at a friend’s residence. This was a known area
for drugs and street gang presence.
• In Los Angeles a known gang member just back from
Iraq firing on two California police officers -- he kills one
quickly using tactics perfected on the battlefield. "Using
strictly military tactics he learned in the Marine Corps,
he applies suppressive fire power right into the corner,"
"He didn't learn those tactics as a gang member."
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
Effects on the U.S. AIR FORCE
•
Two separate groups, the “Black Hawks” and the “Rebels” were
comprised of dependent males between age 14 and 20. They committed
vandalism and attempted auto theft. In the three months of existence,
28 cases were initiated.
•
10 to 15 off-post Philippino and Black males carrying bats, chains and
numchucks came on base to assault a dependent Black male gang
member.
•
Pope AFB, North Carolina: a homicide was committed involving several
active duty Army personnel and a civilian, all were members of local
gangs.
•
Alaska: Several Security Policemen were identified as recruiters for the
Klux Ku Klan
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
Effects on the U.S. ARMY
• Fort Hood: An active duty service member (female)
identified as a high ranking gang member in the State
of Texas was convicted for 2 counts of Homicide
(gang related).
• Fort Carson: An active duty service member (male)
identified as the #2 gang leader for the Gangster
Disciples in the State of Colorado was convicted for
purchasing guns for other gang members in Chicago
and Gary, Indiana. He also paid Soldiers to bring drug
from Mexico by way of Fort Bliss.
• Germany: Death to a soldier in Kaiserslauten was
gang related.
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
Effects on the U.S. ARMY
•
Fort Polk: An active duty member who claimed to a
member of the “Zulu Warriors” was involved in a drive-by
shooting.
•
Fort Polk: An active duty member entered the on-post
club and flashed his Blood gang signs and two Black
males pistol whipped the soldier. It was discovered later
that the two males were members of a Crips gang
located in Shreveport.
•
Fort Bragg: Several Soldiers with extremist views were
convicted for killing two Blacks in Fayetteville.
•
Fort Lewis: Family Member/Husband and his three
children were hacked to death by two members of the
Cedar Block Piru Bloods of Los Angeles. They were
accompanied by a United States Army Specialist.
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
INDICATORS OF
GANG ACTIVITY
•
•
•
•
Increase in graffiti
Slang talk/sign flashing
New clothing styles
Increase in narcotics
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
Pages from a “Gang Knowledge Book”
031 = LOVE FOR BLOOD
CODE
31
031
404
MEANING
I’M BLOOD
LOVE FOR BLOOD
SEND MONEY
Courtesy
Source: Kenneth
of K. Ferguson
Ferguson
Kelly,
Kelly,
STG-A
MHR
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
1 AD soldiers on Guard Duty 2002
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
Confiscated photos
Health & Welfare Kitzingen 2003
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
Confiscated photos Kitzingen 2003
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
Subject in Drug Case 2003
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
Alliances
• Think of this as the American and
National leagues of gangs
• Currently all documented gangs
aligned under these two
People Nation Folk Nation
Latin Kings
Vicelords
Spanish Lords
El Rukns
Bishops
Gaylords
Latin Counts
Kents
Black Gangster Disciples
Black Disciples
Gangster Disciples
Imperial Gangsters
La Raza
Spanish Cobras
Latin Eagles
Latin Disciples
• Gangs (30,000+) membership in US
documented at over 1 million +
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
CLOTHING
• Wears primary or secondary colors
• Colored Handkerchiefs “Flags”
• Baseball caps worn to the side
or slightly tilted
• Loose shoe strings, pushed up
pant
legs, and rolled up T-shirt sleeve
• Uses Designer logos
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
Folk Nation and People Nation
Folk Nation:
People Nation:
Dress to the Right
Blue/Black
Six Pointed Star
Upside Down Crowns
Bent Rabbit Ears
Pitch Forks pointed Up
Dress To The Left
Red/Black
Five Pointed Star
Right Side Up Crown
Straight Rabbit Ears
Pitch Forks Pointed
Down
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
"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.
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
"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.
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
"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.
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
"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".
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
Soldiers who were members of the
Gangster Disciples had this made at a
German/American FEST
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
GANGSTER DISCIPLE GRAFFITI
ALLIGNED WITH “FOLK NATION”
FOUND NEAR THE HELI-PAD
LEIGHTON BARRACKS 2001
DISRESPECT TO
PEOPLE NATION
RESPECT TO
FOLK NATION
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
Gang Identification
The extent to which gangs have infiltrated the
military community is difficult to assess
for a number of reasons:
• The majority of gang activities take place outside
the confines of the military bases and during hours
of darkness.
• Military personnel participating in these activities
may not be identified by local law enforcement as
being in the armed forces or dependents
• Activities that do take place on the installations,
such as thefts, assaults or drug trafficking, are
often viewed as singular incidents and not
recognized as gang related.
• Gang members are not easily identifiable.
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
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**
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
UCMJ Action
• Art. 81
- Conspiracy
• Art. 92
- Failure to Obey a Lawful Order
• Art. 116 - Rioting and Breach of Peace
• Art. 117 - Provoking Speeches and Gestures
• Art. 134 - General Article (Discredit to
Armed Forces)
• Art. 134 - Soliciting Another to Commit an
Offense
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
PROACTIVE RESPONSES
• Avoid denial of gang • Educate leaders and
organization
dynamics
• Develop standard
procedures
• Know/enforce
Policies and
regulations
**
members of the
consequences for
participation
• Consider
involuntary
separation of
violators
• Initiate UCMJ
actions for
SHARE-SHARE-SHARE!!!!!!!!
**
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
Online Resources
California Gang Investigator's Association http://www.cgiaonline.org/ Provides a forum for all law enforcement officers (including
corrections, prosecutors, parole and probation) to exchange ideas.
Florida Gang Investigators Association http://www.fgia.com/ An association of law enforcement and criminal justice professionals
who are dedicated to the prevention of gangs and suppression of gang-related activity within the state of Florida.
Gangs in Los Angeles County http://www.streetgangs.com/ Gang Graffiti, brief history, homicides, and more.
Gang Prevention Incorporated http://www.gangpreventioninc.com/ Street gang identification awareness and activity training for
Law Enforcement, Military, Prosecution, Corrections, and Probation and Parole. Training is offered to educational institutions and
selectively provided to the private sector as well. A 400-page street gang identification manual is available to Law Enforcement
only. A 3-day gang specialist course is offered at various times throughout the year.
IAACI Web http://www.iaaci.com/ The International Association of Asian Crime Investigators, in association with the International
Asian Organized Crime Conferences, provide focus on the criminal justice system's response to organized crime in Asia.
Massachusetts Department of Corrections STG http://www.state.ma.us/doc/GANG/gang1.htm Massachusetts DOC has a similar
program documented on the web.
Midwest Gang Investigators Association http://www.mgia.org/ A non-profit organization comprised of law enforcement officers and
members of the criminal justice community from Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa and Missouri.
National Gang Crime Research Center http://www.ngcrc.com/ Provides research on gangs and gang members, disseminate
information through publications and reports, and provide training and consulting services.
National Major Gang Task Force http://www.nmgtf.org/ A consortium of criminal justice professionals from Federal, state and local
government agencies who specialize in gang interdiction and suppression.
National Youth Gang Center http://www.iir.com/nygc/ A comprehensive, coordinated response to America's gang problem by the
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).
Southeastern Connecticut Gang Activities Group http://www.segag.org/ Non-profit law enforcement association focused on
disseminating information to combat the rise in violent youth and gang activities.
Tennessee Gang Investigators Association http://www.tngia.tn.org/ Provides an online outlet for information relating to TNGIA,
links to other associations, online resources, and a public forum relating to gangs.
Texas Gang Investigators Association http://www.tgia.net/ The TGIA was formed to promote a closer working relationship among
gang investigators with a view towards the rapid dissemination and exchange of information concerning gang related incidents,
suspects and investigations
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR
Courtesy of K. Ferguson Kelly, STG-A
Source: Kenneth Ferguson Kelly, MHR