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| For Parents, concerned Families and Friends Is your kid in a gang? Do you suspect that he or she might be? Please read: We get a lot of calls at Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives from parents who are concerned that their children might be involved in gang activities. While we encourage you to continue to call us, the following information will give you some tips on how to spot potential gang involvement. Look for these signs, and then give us a call. We offer programs that steer kids away from gangs and into more positive alternatives. About GANGS CRITERIA for identifying a gang member:
BLACK GANGS BLOODS - Denver Territory: East of Colorado Blvd., 22nd Ave. North to 38th Ave. (includes Montbello and Curtis Park area and Aurora). This group is guided and under the influence of Big City Gang members from Los Angeles, California. Their main objective is earn money ($$) from the sale of crack. Several sets within the Bloods:
--Fingernails (small finger nail will be painted red) Both Bloods and Crips have borrowed a lot of Hispanic street gang attire (baggy pants, plaid workshirts, patent leather shoes); but the BLACK GANGS have now adopted their own identifying attire in the form of athletic name brand clothing. CRIPS - Denver Territory: Downing to Colorado Boulevard, 22nd North to 38th Ave., includes Montbello. This gang, like the Bloods, is under the guidance and influence of Big City Gang members from Los Angeles, California. The Crips or Cuzz or Rolling 30 or 60 as they are known, originated as did the "Bloods" in L.A., California. An older Denver gang, the Gigolos and the Greeks were "rolled over" by an L.A. Crip gang member and became known as the (Denver) Rolling 30 Crips. The Crips outnumber the Bloods. Several sets within the Crips are:
Each gang will have a female auxiliary (Crips are the Crippettes; Bloods are Queen Bees or the Pink Panthers, Strawberries, Bloodettes). The female gang members are usually middle school age 12-14 with the harder core female gang members ranging in age from 15-17 years old. They have initiation rites with most of them becoming gang members because their boyfriends are gang members. They have to "walk the line" (being beaten by gang female members as they walk the line). Frequently, the female gang member is more vocal and will carry and conceal the weapons for their boyfriend "homeboys". The female gang members will also wear colors and distinctive clothing. The (Dog Possee) female auxiliary is also known as the "Bitch Possee". MEXICAN NATIONALIST AND HISPANIC GANGS It was thought that most of these gangs had died out, but there is evidence of their resurgence. They claim gang turf and usually roam in packs. These gang members are very macho. MEXICAN NATIONALIST GANGS Territory and Gangs:
HISPANIC GANGS Territory and gangs:
Both Hispanic and Mexican Nationalist gangs will have female auxiliaries, but they play a much lower role. There is a rivalry that exists between Hispanic and Mexican Nationalist gangs. ANGLO GANGS They dress to shock the observer and draw attention to themselves. Punkrockers began in England in the early 1970's.
The Skinheads are influenced by KU KLUX KLAN (KKK), Aryan Nation, Nazi beliefs as well as Los Angeles, California Skinhead gangs. The Skinhead movement is heavily into Hardrock and Heavy Metal music (they will often sponsor Skinhead bands at local theaters). There exists a great potential for Skinhead recruitment within the "Punker" movement as well as Hispanics. Wearing Apparel
Very low key. On occasion, some criminal activity, but always aimed at the Asian business community. BLACK GANG SLANG TERMS Tray or Set -- A sub group within the overall gang. High Roller -- Usually a hard core gang member who is dealing narcotics, usually dripping gold (necklaces, jewelry) and wearing expensive sportswear. Slob or Slus -- Blood gang member. (This term is used by Crip when referring to Blood) Crab or Erick -- Crip gang member. (This term is used by Blood when referring to Crip) Cuzz and Blood -- A person who is involved in gang activity. Gang Banging -- Term used by Crip when referring to another: "What's up Cuzz". The Bloods will state "What's up Blood". Homeboy or Homes -- This is an endearing reference to another gang member. Primo -- Marijuana cigarette laced with crack. Crack or Rock -- Cocaine that has been "cut" with other substances such as baking soda or ammonia. Through a heating process the result is a white or light tan paste which dries into chunks and flakes. This is referred to as "CRACK" (the name derived from the cracking sound made when baking soda is heated). Sherm, Wack -- Liquid juice P.C.P. Jiving -- Attempting to fool someone Lady -- Girlfriend Man -- Police Rag -- Bandana, worn by gang member to identify his gang. Red for Blood. Blue for Crip. Usually worn neatly folded and left hanging from rear pocket. Redeye -- Hard stare (this will often cause a fight) Tray-Eight -- 38-caliber gun Four-Five -- 45-caliber gun Double deuce -- 22-caliber gun Drop a dime or hang a jacket -- Snitch on someone STREET NAMES Most Black and many of the Mexican Nationalist gang members will adopt street names and will utilize them in their graffiti and when referring to themselves. The use of street names will also extend to the Mexican Nationalist female gang members. Black Street Names: (examples) P-loc, D-Dog, Lil "g" Dog, Trigger, Ice, Little 45, Ty Bud Mexican Nationalist Street Names: (examples) Oso (Bear), Flaco (Skinny), Wedo (Anglo looking), Chino (Oriental looking), Smiley, Puppet. Female graffiti is usually accompanied with "la" (Example: LaChina, LaFina, LaBecky). GANG STRUCTURE Most gang members are usually unskilled, untrained, unemployed, under employed, uneducated (most are dropouts), members of minorities and possess little or no power and prestige in their communities. They usually develop relationships with others that fall into their category of aggressive anti-social behavior. Gang members can be classified as Hardcore, Associate and Peripheral.
They gravitate to the street gang for the same reason as the male gang members: to fill a void and to seek out the gang for status, guidance, identity, protection, excitement and to fulfill the attention they need. The role of the female in the gang is one of subservience. AGE AND GANG STRUCTURE Pewees Ages 10 to 12 years-these are the elementary age youngsters who reside in the gang area and who are being influenced by brothers, sisters, relatives or friends who are gang members. Juniors Ages 12 to 14 years-these are the "wannabes". Frequently, they will graffiti their notebooks, lockers and clothing with gang symbols. They are the most influenced and usually are from the gang neighborhood. Homeboy, Home or "Gang Banger" Ages 14 to 20 years-these are the Associate and Hardcore members who make up the gang. The totality of their activity is geared toward the gang, most are school dropouts on their way to becoming social dropouts. Other After 20 years of age, the gang member who has gone from Peewee to Junior to Homeboy is no longer accepted by the 14 to 17-year old gang banger. They are considered veterans and by this state in their lives, will have been in and out of trouble with the law, will be institutionalized, be actively involved on the street as the "Highroller", will have settled down to join the main stream of society, or will be dead or maimed as a result of the gang life that they led. Click here to view a pdf illustration of gang hand signs and graffitti How to cope with grief caused by gang violence and death Click here for a list of frequently asked questions by the public and educators |
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