Gangs

Street Gangs : 

Street Gangs

What is a gang? : 

What is a gang? 18.2-46.1 “Criminal street gang” means any ongoing organization, association, or group of three or more persons, that 1. has one or more of its primary objectives or activities the commission of one or more criminal activities 2. had an identifiable name or identifiable symbol

What is a gang? : 

What is a gang? 3 whose members individually or collectively have engaged in the commission of, attempt to commit, conspiracy to commit, or solicitation or two or more criminal acts, at least one of which is an act of violence, provided such acts were not part of a common act or transaction.

18.2-46.2 Prohibited criminal street gang participation : 

18.2-46.2 Prohibited criminal street gang participation Any person who actively participates in or is a member of a criminal street gang and who knowingly and willfully participates in any criminal act committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with any criminal street gang shall be guilty of a class 5 felony. If gang includes a juvenile member- class 4 felony.

18.2-46.3 Recruitment : 

18.2-46.3 Recruitment Any person who solicits, invites, recruits, encourages or otherwise causes or attempts to cause another to actively participate in or become a member of what he knows to be a criminal street gang is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor. Recruitment of a juvenile—class 6 felony.

18.2-46.3:1 Ongoing involvement : 

18.2-46.3:1 Ongoing involvement If a person has been previously convicted of 18.2-46.2 or 18.2-46.3, the third conviction within ten years of the previous two convictions, shall be guilty of a class 3 felony.

Prohibited Concealed Weapons : 

Prohibited Concealed Weapons Any pistol or revolver Dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife, machete, razor Slingshot, springstick, metal knucks, blackjack Any flailing instrument consisting of two or more rigid parts connected in such a way as to allow then to sling freely, commonly known as nun chucka, nun chucks or fighting chain

Prohibited Weapons : 

Prohibited Weapons Any disc with two points and is made to be thrown, commonly known as a throwing star First conviction class 1 misdemeanor Second conviction class 6 felony Third or subsequent conviction class 5 felony

15.2-1812.2 Graffiti : 

15.2-1812.2 Graffiti Mandatory minimum $500 fine for gang graffiti if committed for the benefit of, direction of, or in association with any street gang.

18.2-308.2:01 Concealed Weapons : 

18.2-308.2:01 Concealed Weapons Makes the carrying of a concealed weapon by any person not lawfully present in the United States a Class 6 felony.

Quick facts about gangs : 

Quick facts about gangs 21,500 gangs in America 731,00 gang members Southwestern Virginia agencies documented the presence of 8 nationally known gangs and 8 homegrown gangs. Virginia is home to at least 85 nationally recognized gangs and at least 106 local or homegrown gangs.

Becoming a Member : 

Becoming a Member Becoming a gang member varies. Some of the more popular methods include: Created or Original member Jump in/ Beat in– inductee fights or is beaten by existing members in a symbolic ceremony used as a declaration of loyalty and commitment Crime In- inductee commits a crime, such as assault or malicious wounding to show commitment.

Becoming a Member : 

Becoming a Member Sex In- Female members have sex with a certain number of members to earn membership. Number of partners may be determined by a role of die or dice. Born In/ Blessed In—Someone becomes a member because a family member is or was a member

Why Join a Gang? : 

Why Join a Gang? Gang membership may offer a sense of stability, safety, belonging, or protection. May also give members ready access to money and sex. Others join because of peer pressure, curiosity, or excitement. Belonging to a gang can also provide a feeling of power and control to a person who otherwise feels powerless over their own world.

Tattoos : 

Tattoos Traditionally observers have been able to identify gang affiliation and gang pride by their tattoos. When you see what you feel are gang tattoos, try to 1. Identify the person 2. Question their background 3. Ask them what their tattoos mean to them 4. Consider the circumstances of the encounter

Graffiti : 

Graffiti Gang Names- Most gang names are abbreviated to two or three letters. Nicknames- Nicknames of gang members are common in street graffiti. On the street, this is known as a roll call. Territory- Mark the area claimed by the gang. May include directional locators, street names, city names and area codes.

Graffiti : 

Graffiti Threats or Challenges- Graffiti may display an “X” out or cross out of the rival gangs graffiti. May also show the work “killer”, or abbreviations of a gang and the letter “k”, as in BK or CK. Numbers- Some may show area codes or street numbers to identify where the gang is located.

Officer Safety : 

Officer Safety Utilize a contact and cover officer. Remember, respect is a common theme within the gang culture. Be alert for silent communication through hand signs. When it is determined that a person is a member of a street gang, the agency shall enter the person’s name and other appropriate gang information into Organized Criminal Gang File of the Virginia Criminal Information Network.

Crips : 

Crips Originated in Los Angeles in the late 60s. Extremely violent Multiracial Identifiers include: -the color blue -blue bandanas and rags, flown to the left - use the letter “c” in writings in place of the letter “b”, showing disrespect for bloods. - call each other ‘Cuzz” - call themselves “blood killas” (BK) - wearing British Knights tennis shoes (BK) - graffiti shows a 6 pointed star

Coincidence or Reppin’ Their Set? : 

Coincidence or Reppin’ Their Set?

Slide 21: 

What gang is referenced in this song?

Crips : 

Crips What song do these lines come from? “I’m a gangsta, but y’all knew that Da Big Boss Dogg, yeah I had to do that I keep a blue flag hanging out my backside But only on the left, yeah that’s the Crip side Snoop Dogg, “Drop It Like It’s Hot”

Bloods : 

Bloods Created in Southern California by the Piru Street Boys and the Brims to protect themselves from the Crips. Identifiers include: - the color red - red bandanas or rags, flown to the right - the word Piru - crossed out letter “C” in words as a sign of disrespect for the Crips.

18th Street : 

18th Street Created in the Rampart area of L.A. as protection from the Clanton Street Gang. Thought to be one of the most sophisticated street gangs in America. Membership in Southern California alone is estimated at 20,000. Has established ties with La Eme and Columbian drug cartels.

Mara Salvatrucha 13 : 

Mara Salvatrucha 13 Formed in the Rampart area of Los Angeles by Salvadorians who moved to the area to escape civil war in El Salvador. MS was formed and became a direct marketing rival to 18th Street. MS aligned with La Eme and adopted the “13” and entered into an agreement on the purchase and sale of narcotics. MS uses violence to set itself apart from other gangs. Ms members are know to prefer machetes or guns and the cutting off of fingers, hands, arms, and heads is common.

Almighty Latin Kings : 

Almighty Latin Kings Originated in Chicago in the 1950s. Tend to wear gold and black clothing and beads Tattoos have a five pointed crown

Hate Groups : 

Hate Groups 29 hate groups in seven categories have been identified in Virginia. Black Separatists Ku Klux Klan Neo Confederate Neo Nazi Skinhead

Black Separatists : 

Black Separatists Include the Nation of Islam in Va. Typically oppose inter-marriage, desire separate institutions, most are strongly anti-white and anti-Semitic. Feel the blacks, not Jews, are God’s chosen people.

Ku Klux Klan : 

Ku Klux Klan First appeared during Reconstruction as a vigilante group dedicated to intimidate blacks and those who supported them. In the 1920’s membership was 5 million members, some in highly placed political offices. The Klan is still actively promoting “white civil rights” and have shunned the robes and hoods.

Neo Nazi : 

Neo Nazi Have a shared love for Hitler and Nazi Germany. Also have a shared hatred for Jews, minorities, and homosexuals. Holds that Jewish conspiracy controls the US government, international banking, and the entertainment industry

Prison Gangs : 

Prison Gangs Formed to provide protection and control in prison. Historically, rival gang members band together in prison by race. Examples of prison gangs include La Eme, or Mexican Mafia, the Aryan Brotherhood, and the Black Guerrilla Family.

Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs : 

Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs Have evolved into well organized gangs with written constitutions, by-laws, and a hierarchical chain of command. Members pay dues, attend regular meetings and participate in charity events. Many have incorporated and trademarked their logos. Examples of OMG’s include Hell’s Angels, Pagans, Outlaws and the Banditos.