Gang Awareness, Information & Resources

This page has been created to serve as a resource for parents, teachers and others seeking information about street gangs, gang activity and signs of involvement with street gangs. Information provided here has been gathered from a wide variety of Internet resources and is intended to serve as a quick reference for general information. For more detailed gang information, links are provided to various gang-related web sites as well as gang affiliated sites and pages. Additionally links to books and other published resources are also included. We are always looking for the most up-to-date gang information and photographs of gang graffiti or tags and welcome your submissions and suggestions.

The local scene... Here in Woodstock, IL there are two predominant gangs. They are the Latin Kings (ALKQN) and Norteños or 14s. These two street gangs oppose each other and most visibly express their opposition through Graffiti. Parents, know the gang colors for your area! In the Woodstock area the Latin Kings identify themselves with the colors black and gold or yellow. The 14s, (XIVs) a rival gang, identify themselves with the color red and also have been known to wear light blue North Carolina gear for the N.C. to signify Northern California. Remember, colors alone don't necessarily signify gang membership. Look for the combinations of colors, symbols and/or other gang identifiers.

What is a gang? A short definition: A gang is an organized group with a recognized leader whose activities are either criminal or, at the very least, threatening to your community

Street gangs have existed in the United States for many years and their origins can be traced back to various larger metropolitan areas. Many gangs originally formed as a means of self-protection for family and friends within their neighborhood. Eventually, activities of these gangs led to criminal activity as a source of income.

Generally speaking, gangs, as we see them today, were formed for the most part in the Chicago area or areas of California, primarily, Southern California. Many of the hundreds of copy-cat gangs that have formed throughout America are based on the Chicago and California gangs.

Gangs are forming at an alarming rate. They have been identified throughout North America in cities and communities, large and small, urban and rural. Today, street gang membership encompasses all races from most socioeconomic levels and is not limited to larger cities.

The presence of gangs may be seen everywhere. Gang members do not represent an invisible empire. They thrive on recognition and are constantly seeking ways to make their presence known or felt. Gangs only go unseen when law enforcement personnel, as well as educators and parents, fail to recognize signs of gang activity and an individuals involvement.

Too often, a community or a department will proclaim that there are no gangs within the community, stating that there are only a few youths who are "Wannabes." This term should never be used. By overlooking the fact that these youths have adopted a gang name, use gang signs and symbols and commit crimes, these youths are "Gonnabes." Failing to recognize or denying the existence of gang activity, whether willingly or through a lack of gang identification training, drastically increases a gang's ability to thrive and develop a power base.

Why do young people join gangs?

There are nearly as many reasons as there are gang members. These are some common reasons:

So... What Can You Do To Prevent Gang Violence?

(Click for info)

Gang Identifiers

People Nation Identifiers

Symbols are: crown; staff; crescent; dice; number 5; spanish cross; cholo; pyramid; glove; five point star; champagne glass; and bunny head.

Members of People Nation sets (gangs) are known to use these (and other) symbols:

				It isn't uncommon for the leader and another member to execute one for disrespecting the crown of the kings. Once you become a King or Queen, you are "crowned" for life.

In addition to these symbols, People Nation groups also use left identifiers. For example they:

Form their hand signs with the left hand.
Wear their hats cocked or tilted left.
Roll up the left pant leg.
May untie the left shoe.
They rest their hand in the left pocket.
Wear jewelry to the left.

Some major People Nation sets (gangs) are listed below:

Latin Kings
Vicelords
Spanish Lords
El Rukns

Bishops
Gaylords
Latin Counts
Kents

Folk Nation Identifiers

Symbols are: Winged heart; devil's horns; dice; number 6; backwards swastika; bent ear bunny head; sword; devil's tail; six point star; and pitch fork.

Members of Folk Nation sets (gangs) are known to use these (and other) symbols:

				Street gang members, though primarily turf-oriented, also travel to other areas and states for membership recruitment and illegal activities.

Folk Nation group members use right identifiers to distinguish themselves from the People Nation groups/gangs.
Right identification is displayed by the following:

Wearing articles of clothing to the right, such as caps, bandannas, and belt buckles.
Wearing jewelry to the right.
Rolling up the right pant leg.

Some major Folk Nation sets (gangs) are:

Black Gangster Disciples
Black Disciples
Gangster Disciples
Imperial Gangsters
La Raza
Spanish Cobras
Latin Eagles

Latin Disciples
Maniac Latin Disciples
Simon City Royals
Spanish Gangster Disciples
Two Sixers
International Posse

A bit more about gang identifiers:

Parents should be aware of various identifiers gangs use and be observant that they do not appear on the personal articles of their children. Book bags, posters and gang colors are used to convey the gang message. Jewelry, articles of clothing and seemingly innocent styles, symbols, color combinations, etc. can be used to convey a gang message.

Following is a list of items to assist you in recognizing street gang members that you may encounter in your neighborhood. Please remember that if a person is wearing one of the following identifiers it does not always mean that he or she is a gang member. Parents should be on the lookout for multiple identifiers, or patterns in the use of these identifiers.

Earrings

Right ear, gangs affiliated with the Disciples (Folks)
Left ear, gangs affiliated with the Vice Lords or Latin Kings (People)

Hats

Tilted right, affiliated with the Disciples (Folks)
Tilted left, affiliated with the Vice Lords or Latin Kings (People)

Gloves

One on right hand, affiliated with the Disciples (Folks)
One on left hand, affiliated with Vice Lords or Latin Kings (People)

Right / Left Rule

Pay particular attention to jewelry, decorations, grooming, etc. The Right/Left Rule can be subtle. Watch for signs like one pants leg cuffed, a belt buckle worn to one side, an eyebrow on one side with a shaved nick in it, one shoe consistently untied or with the tongue out...

The same right-and-left rule applies to other items, including belt buckles, parts in hair, hair coloring or streaking, combs or picks in hair, eyebrows cut on one side, pant leg rolled up, bandannas hanging from one pocket, etc.
Right represents the Disciples (Folks)
Left represents the Vice Lords or Latin Kings (People)

Stars

Six-point -- Folks
Five-point -- People

Crowns

5 or 3 Pointed -- Latin Kings

Rabbit Heads

Straight ears -- Latin Kings
One ear bent -- Disciples

Gym Shoes and Athletic Clothes

The color of shoes vs. the color of laces
Two different colors of laces
"Converse" shoes with the five-pointed star shaded in
Tongues -- one side up, the other down
Laces -- halfway laced on one side
Wearing two different color shirts (E.g. Black tank top over gold tee shirt)
Specific professional or college team colors may match gang colors.
Specific team logos may carry gang meaning. (L.A. Kings - Latin Kings, Chicago Bulls - People, etc. See clothing labels, below.)

Crosses

Knitted with gang colors

Jewelry

Five- or six-pointed stars
Rabbit heads
Italian horns
Crescents

The following is a breakdown of ways gangs interpret clothing labels, college names and sport teams

FILA - F (folks) I (in) L (love) A (always)
FLIGHT - F (forever) L (living) I (in) G (gangster) H (hoover) T (town)
K-SWISS - K (kill) S (slobs) W (when) I (i) S (see) S (slobs)
FUBU - F (f*ck) U (u) B (blood) U (up)
NIKE - N (niggas) I (insane) K (killing) E (everybody)
ADIDAS - A (all) D (day) I (i) D (disrespect) A (all) S (slobs)
CALVIN KLEIN - C (crip or crab) K (killers)
MECCA - M (murdering) E (every) C (crip) C (child) A (alive)
POLO by Ralph Lauren - P (property) O (of) L (locs) O (only)
REEBOK - R (respect) E (each) E (every) B (blood) O (O) K (k)

DUKE - stands for "Disciples Using Knowledge Everyday"
NORTH CAROLINA COLLEGE - NC stands for "Neighborhood Crips"
HOYAS - stands for "Hoovers On Your A*s Slobs"

COLORADO ROCKIES - CR stands for "Crips Rule"
SAINTS - stands for "Slobs AINT S*it"
ORLANDO MAGIC - "Magic stands for "Maniacs And Gangsters In Chicago"
LOS ANGELES RAIDERS - RAIDERS stand for "Ruthless A*s Insane Disciples Everywhere
Running S*it"
DALLAS COWBOYS - COWBOYS stand for "Crips Out West Bangin On You Slobs"

Clothing and Styles

The "gang look" is meant to intimidate those who are not in a gang. Children and teenagers who dress in clothing that resembles gang attire are showing an interest in gangs, will attract the attention of gangs, and could be putting themselves in extreme danger. In recent years children have been shot and killed by gangs simply for wearing gang related clothing. For the safety of your children, it is very important that you do not buy or allow your children to wear any item that gang members use to identify with the gang. Some current and traditional gang clothing and styles are listed below:

Gang Related Clothing and Styles - Boys

Shaved, bald head or extremely short hair
Hair streaked or colored on one side (Right/Left Rule)
A nick or gap shaved into one eyebrow (Right/Left Rule)
White oversized T-shirt creased in the middle
White athletic type undershirt
Polo type knit shirts (oversized) and usually worn buttoned to the top and not tucked in
Oversized Dickie, Ben Davis or Solos pants
Pants worn low, or "sagging" and cuffed inside at the bottom or dragging on the ground
Baseball caps worn backwards (usually black and sometimes with the initials of the gang)
Baseball caps worn to one side (Right/Left Rule)
Cut off under-the-knee, short pants worn with knee-high socks
A predominance of dark or dull clothing, or clothing of one particular color
Black oversized jackets, sweatshirts, jerseys, etc.
Black stretch belt with chrome or silver gang initial belt buckle
Oversized shirts
Clothing a mixture of gang colors, black and silver or white, black and gold, black and yellow, etc. -- Know the COLORS of gangs in your area!

Gang Related Clothing and Styles - Girls

Exaggerated use of mousse, gel or baby oil on hair
Hair streaked or colored on one side (Right/Left Rule)
Black or dark clothing and shoes
Black oversized jackets, sweatshirts, athletic football jerseys, etc.
Oversized shirts worn outside pants
Oversized white T-shirts
Dark jackets with lettering (cursive or Old English style)
Baggy, long pants dragging on the ground
Heavy make-up, dark excessive eye shadow, shaved eyebrows, dark lipstick, dark fingernail polish
Tank tops or revealing blouses
Stretch belts with initial on belt buckle
Overalls not fastened

Graffiti

What is gang graffiti and what should you do about it?

Gang graffiti serves one of the following purposes:
1. Establishes the presence of a gang or gangs.
2. Establishes turf or territory
3. Warns of impending danger or threats (fights, etc.)
4. Puts down rival gangs and/or issues a challenge.

With any kind of graffiti, you should follow the four 'Rs':
1. Read it.
2. Record (photograph or videotape) it.
3. Report it to law enforcement.
4. Remove it as soon as possible.

What do numbers sometimes found in gang graffiti mean?

Part of the language of gangs includes the use of numbers as symbols or numbers that correspond to letters of the alphabet. It provides a kind of shorthand or code for gangs. For example, the numbers 1-26 correspond with the alphabet letters A-Z. 15-11-2 would mean OKB (Oriental Killer Boys). 2-11 would mean BK (Blood Killer), a sign of the Crips. The number 5 always refers to the People Nation (i.e., 5 pointed star symbol). The number 6 always refers to the Folk Nation (i.e., 6 pointed star symbol).

Frequently, area codes are used to identify gangs:
          209 – area code for Fresno
          415 – area code for San Francisco
          612 – area code for central Minnesota

Another number you may frequently see is 187 – the police code for murder. You may also see the use of dots by Hispanic and Asian gangs. Frequently, these identifiers are found in the web of the hand, on the back of the hand or between the fingers. They are often in groups of three and may mean one of the following: Mi Vida Loco (My crazy life) or family/friends/gang.

Click for some examples of gang graffiti...

Questions? Comments? Report a dead link...
Communication in general about these gang-related pages, or to submit a gang graffiti photograph... Send email to ganginfo@rlcw.org

See our church's main/home page for other, non gang-related communication and information...

Pride & respect	Power	Protection
Sense of belonging	Drugs	Loyalty
Money	Recognition	Structure, rules, codes
Sense of direction	Sense of purpose	Glamour of gangster image

People Nation Identifiers	Gang Symbols or Identifiers	Folk Nation Identifiers
	Today's street gangs are essentially divided into two major factions or "nations". These "nations" represent alliances wherein a number of individual gangs are allied within one of the two primary "nations". Each alliance has its own symbols or "identifiers" which may appear in the form of graffiti, jewelry, on clothing and many other forms. (These identifiers have been found in seemingly innocent doodles or drawings by grade school and middle school children.) These symbols often appear in combination. For example, you'll see a star and a crown. (People/Latin Kings) This may reveal both the alliance and the individual gang, also known as a set. Additional information and graphics are provided further on. It is important to note that while many street gangs consider themselves to be part of one "nation" or the other, some gangs (Locally, the 14s/XIVs and 13s/X3s) do not identify themselves with a particular nation.