Gangs - PowerPoint.pdf

Juvenile Crime InterventionCriminal Law Enforcement DivisionGangs 101: What We All Should KnowThis presentation addresses issues of importance to parents,teachers or anyone interested in understanding the growingproblem of street gangs. Our goal is to increase communityawareness and provide practical information regarding thehistory, culture, activities and general identifiers of streetgangs.

Gang Information SharingInteragency Communication is key!Agencies you should have contact with Police Department - Gang Unit County SO’s – Gang Unit & Jailers ISD PD TDCJ’s Security Threat GroupCoordinators Office of the Inspector General Texas Youth Commission Office of the Attorney General (GRS) Texas Department of Public Safety Adult Probation Juvenile Probation Gang prosecutors or DA investigators U.S. Marshall – City Marshall Regional Gang Task Force Texas Violent Gang Task ForceFederal AgenciesFBIATFICEBorder PatrolU.S. ProbationFederal Bureau of PrisonsFederal Gang Task Forces

Definition of a street gangWhat is the legal definition of a street gang?“Criminal Street Gang” means:Three or more persons having a common identifyingsign or symbol or an identifiable leadership whocontinuously or regularly associate in the commissionof criminal activities.Texas Penal CodeSec. 71.01 (d)

So what specifically is a street gang?▪ "Street gang" means any combination, alliance, or networkof three or more people who:▸ May or may not have an organized structure;▸ Have a recognized leader or leaders;▸ Have an informal or close social relationship with acommon identity;▸ May adopt certain symbols, signs and colors;▸ May claim control over certain “turf,” geographic areasor neighborhoods; and▸ Are involved in criminal activities.

Gang structureCripsLos AngelesBloodsLos AngelesSurenosSouthernCaliforniaNortenosNorthernCaliforniaPeopleNationChicagoFolk NationChicagoXYZ CripsXYZ BloodsSur XIIIXIVLatin KingsGangster DisciplesGang SetGang SetGang SetGang SetGang SetGang SetGang sets are smaller, local chapters of a gang nation, each with its ownunique graffiti, signs, and colors. Gangs will traditionally take namesrelated to their neighborhoods, ethnicity, housing projects or regions, aswell as the surname of the gang nation. It is important to remember thatgangs change constantly and will sometimes even change their gangnation affiliations.

Outside Gang Influences on TexasMidwestFolk NationPeople Nation● During the 1980s, the concept of alliances or “nations” was created inthe Illinois prison system as a way for gang members to identify alliesand rival gangs. In addition to the alliance names, hand signs, symbols,colors and other identifiers were adopted to assist in instant recognitionof allies and enemies. Each of these nations has since divided intothousands of different gang sets that claim allegiance to either the Folkor the People Nation.

Outside Gang Influences on TexasCaliforniaBloodsCrips● Similarly, in Los Angeles, gangs divided into two separate, majorgangs, known as the Crips and the Bloods (or Pirus). Alliance names,hand signs, symbols, colors and other identifiers were also adopted toassist in recognition of allies and enemies. Each of these gangs hasfurther divided into different gang sets.

Outside Gang Influences on Texas - CaliforniaTyler NortenoNortenosNorthern CaliforniaBryanSurenosSurenosSouthern California● California has exported a gang phenomenon known as Surenos andNortenos. Nortenos claim northern California and the Surenos traditionallyare from the southern part of the state. These rivals trace their animositytoward each other back to prison gang struggles in the 1960s. Both groupshave adopted signs, symbols and colors, and have sets throughout the U.S.

Outside Gang Influences on Texas – Central America

Gang structureBloodsLos AngelesCripsLos AngelesPeople NationChicagoFolk NationChicago● The concept of gang alliances or nations has spread from Los Angelesand Chicago to gangs throughout the United States, with many gangsaligning themselves with one of the four gang nations. A trend hasalliances forming amidst the four nations: the Bloods with the PeopleNation, and the Crips with the Folk Nation.

Prison Gang InfluencesAryan Brotherhood of TexasAryan CircleBarrio AztecaBloodsCripsHermanos de PistolerosLatinos (HPL)Mexikanemi (MexicanMafia)Raza UnidaTexas Chicano BrotherhoodTexas MafiaTexas SyndicatePartido RevolucionarioMexicanos (PRM)Most common tattoo is the open circleThe most common tattoo of the Texas Mafia is theunder the left breast. Circle may beletter “M” with a devil’s tail and a slash through theaccompanied by a set of lightning bolts.letter “M” to signify the letter “T.”Common elements may include, two doubleThis bladed tattoo machetes has several crossing elements; each other; the the nameShamrock, Mexikanemi; the two Swastika, rings of the power AC, attached the to thelightning Common machete bolts, handles; ABT the tattoo. the diamond two Consists headed crest of serpent; a and shield thethe with pyramid; four a Nordic tenets the sun dagger. Solidarity, above The the Loyalty, letters pyramid; A and the B Aztec onBrotherhood top, eagle and eating and word a serpent Dedication Texas sitting is located on a pear under cactus theshield.

How do you identify gangs?ClothingColorsGraffitiHand signsGang SymbolsTattoos

ClothingGang Fashions● Although wearing oversized clothing is a gang fashion, thisstyle of dress has also become popular with many young peoplewho are not involved in gangs.

Clothing● Sagging pants are a general fashion statement, but one of the originalpurposes of “sagging” for gang members was to conceal weapons anddrugs.

Clothing● In terms of “gang-style” clothing, it is more often the color ofthe clothing, the way it is worn, or how it is manipulated on thebody that gives the gang identity clue, rather than the clothingarticle itself.

ClothingLeft SideRight SidePeople NationChicagoBloodsLos AngelesRight/Left RuleSome gangs have developeda unique way of identifyingthemselves. One side of thebody (left or right) is used toshow gang affiliation.Folk NationFolkChicagoNationChicagoCripsLos Angeles● Gangs belonging to the People Nation or the Bloods may“represent” to the left side. Conversely, the Folk Nation andthe Crips may use the right side to identify.

ClothingRight/Left RuleSome gangs have developed a unique way of identifying themselves.One side of the body (left or right) is used to show gang affiliation.ation.● Gangs belonging to acertain group will dress, or“represent,” ● Conversely, to the other left side. gangsAn will earring use their in the right left ear, side a to leftpant leg rolled up or a baseballidentify, such as tilting thecap tilted to the left are typicalexamples.hat to theTherighthandorsignleavingisthrown the right toward shoelace the left untied.shoulder. Gang members willfold their arms in a mannerthat will point to their left side.

Clothing----Accessories● caps● gloves● earrings● necklaces● rings● rubber bands● band-aids● fingernails● buttons● rosaries● T-shirts● shoelaces● Details and symbols that can communicate gang identity are often found in accessories, such asteam sportswear, earrings, hats, gloves and jewelry. The clearest identifier is a specific gang nameor symbol which is embedded, inked, airbrushed, embroidered, or marked on the item.

Clothing● Bandannas, or “doo rags,” can be wrapped around heads, necks orhands, hung from car mirrors, folded neatly under belts, or carrieddangling from pockets.

Clothing----AccessoriesRMQ1HoustonSan Antonio

Slide 21RMQ1Big Time Kings San AntonioRobert Martinez, 7/21/2005

ClothingSan Antonio - Surenos

Clothing

ClothingSan AntonioLatin Kings

Gang ColorsLos Angeles● Another way of showing gang affiliation is to wear clothing itemsof a particular color — red, blue, gold, black — any color may beassociated with a gang. The use of colors may appear in smallclothing articles such as shoelaces or bandannas, or in the colors oftheir baseball caps. Sometimes gang members dress entirely in theirgang colors.

ColorsSan AntonioGang members mayconceal their gangmembership by notwearing their gangcolors. Wearingneutral colors maymake it more difficultfor law enforcement toidentify them as gangmembers and thegangs to which theybelong,

Colors — team sportswearEl Paso● Sports teams identify themselves through colors and so do gangs;therefore, it is easy to borrow the colors in sports gear and wear them torepresent gang affiliation. The letters on jackets, caps and shoes can beused to represent affiliation.

Folk Nation — Symbols▪ Pitchfork▸ Signifies Folk Nation struggle▪ Six-Pointed Star▸ Represents loyalty to the FolkNation by paying respect to adeceased founding membernamed “David Barksdale”▪ The Number 6▸ Indirect reference to the sixpointedStar of David▪ Heart with wings and devil’s tail▸ Symbol of gang migration andrecruitment; also means thestrength to rise above

Folk Nation -- Symbols● Six-pointed star — Symbol of the Folk Nation● Five-pointed starof the People Nation— blown up as asign of disrespect.

Crip — SymbolsCrip Sign● Color: Blue● Pitchfork● Six-Pointed Star● The Number 6● Heart with wings anddevil’s tail● Some Crip gangs have adopted Folk Nation symbols.

Sureno — SymbolsRMQ2RMQ3

Slide 33RMQ2RMQ3Sur Trece gang member photo from San AntonioRobert Martinez, 7/21/2005Temple SUR TreceRobert Martinez, 7/21/2005

People Nation — SymbolsFive-Pointed CrownFive-Pointed StarRepresents loyalty to gangnation The Number 5Indirect reference to thepoints on the crown and starPyramidPitchforkCrescent moonsTop hat, cane and glovesKnowledgeLove LifeUnderstandingLoyalty

Blood — SymbolsMarlin, TX● Pitchfork pointeddownward to showdisrespect for the FolkNation and Crips

Norteno - SymbolsNorteScrapaKillerXIV

Gang AlphabetThe examples of alphabetsutilized by gangs in graffitishould be used as a guide only.Styles will vary from gang togang.

Gang CodesExample21 = BA forBarrio Azteca74 = GD forGangsterDisciples▪ Gang communication may be written in code and willcontain a combination of numbers or symbols thathave been substituted for the letters of the alphabet.

▪ Area Codes▸ 915 - El Paso▸ 210- San Antonio▪ Phone Keypads▸ 55 - Latin Kings▸ 72- Polo Boys▪ Zip Codes▸ 78658 - Last twodigits may claim a turfGang Codes

Gang NicknamesPsychoMad DawgIcePopeyeShy BoySniperSpookyDreamerCasper

Gang myths“Tattoos on a young person automatically mean gang membership.”● One difficulty with using tattoos solely as a gang identifieris that tattoos are in fashion. Many young people who are notgang members have tattoos.

Tattoos● However, gangs do use tattoos as a method ofcommunication and identification.

Tattoos — Examples● Tattoos are used to indicate membership in a particular gang. The tattoocan include the gang name, initials, nickname, street of origin, or symbols.

Tattoos● Tattoos may be professionally created or be crude homemade works.Temporary drawings may precede a permanent tattoo.

TattoosSureno 13 (Trece)Norteno 14

TattoosMi vida locaTear dropRMQ4▪ Tinh (love)▪ Tien (money)▪ Tu (prison)▪ Tai (crime)▪ Thu (revenge)

Slide 46RMQ4ARL asian gang tattooRobert Martinez, 7/21/2005

Tattoos

Tattoos

TattoosLatin Kings

Scarification/Branding● The scarring or branding of symbols on the skin isanother method used for identification.

Hand signsPeople Nation5-pointed starFolk Nation6-pointed starLatin King● Another method of gang communication is “flashing” or “throwing up”gang signs or hand signs. The purpose of these hand signs is to identify theuser with a specific gang or gang nation. They can also be used as a way ofshowing disrespect for or threatening another gang member.

Hand signs● Hand signs can be combined with stance and body presentation tomake a complete statement of attitude and gang affiliation.

Latin KingHand signs

Hand signs● Hand signs are generally shaped to display letters or symbolsthat signify a particular gang or set. Hand signs can be thoughtof as the sign language of gangs.

Group Hand signsS L S

Hand signsEastside VarrioAce of Spades – Corpus Christi

Hand signsS 13

Hand signs

Types of graffitiGang graffiti is usedas a form ofcommunication bothwithin the gang andwith rival gangs.Marks turf boundariesDistinguishes enemies and alliesMay challenge other gangs, or bragabout or announce a crimeUses gang symbolsMotivation is to gain notoriety,intimidate others or make threatsWants the community toacknowledge and fear their presenceMay indicate gang membership(rosters) or gang affiliationMay advertise types of drugs theyare sellingMay show disrespect for anothergang or their symbolGraffiti style is usually simple, crudecalligraphy done in a single color

Gang graffiti

Gang graffiti● Gangs will use graffiti and gang symbols as a way to let the communityand members of allied and opposing gangs know that they are operatingcriminally in the area.

Gang graffiti - SymbolsLoveChicagoLifeLoyaltyWisdomKnowledgeUnderstandingN. Dallas Suburb

GraffitiBloods (Piru) — Los AngelesHouston – Cypress/Fairbanks● Graffiti is a politicalstatement — it is used topublicize the gang’spower and status.

Examples --Territory● Graffiti delineatesgang territory. Whena neighborhood ismarked with graffiti,the entire area and itsinhabitants becometargets for violence.Bryan SurenosGang SymbolsSouth TexasPlano, Texas

Gang graffiti — Sends messagesN. Dallas SuburbEl Paso“187" = Penal Code number for murder in California● Graffiti may also send messages to rivalgangs or claim responsibility for violent acts.

Graffiti

Kids & Gangs“Being a gangster, that was my goal in life, it was my life. It wasreal painful. If I gave out pain, I didn’t feel pain.”● Today, young children are exposed to gang culture and may belured into committing acts of violence once they begin associatingwith older, streetwise gang members.

Resources Gang Resource System Texas Violent Gang Task Force Texas Department of Public Safety TXGANG CLEO Texas Department of Criminal Justice TAGIT FUGINET

Gang Resource SystemArt. 61.11, CCPThe OAG maintains a secureWeb site to provide criminaland juvenile justice agencieswith general info aboutcriminal street gangs inTexas.The system may include: Gang Name; Gang Identifiers, such ascolors, tattoos, clothing; Criminal Activities; Migration Trends; and aLocal Law EnforcementContact.OAG cooperates with local lawenforcement to collect andmaintain the accuracy of the info.No info on the identity ofspecific/alleged offenders.Info may be used to investigategang-related crimes, but it must becorroborated by other info if it isincluded in affidavits or subpoenasor used in connection with anyother legal or judicial proceeding.Coordinates with TDCJ to includeSTGs info.

Texas Violent Gang Task ForceArt. 61.10, CCP “The purpose of the task force is to form a strategicpartnership between state, federal, and local law en-forcement agencies to better enable law enforcement andcorrectional agencies to take a proactive stance towardstracking gang activity and the growth and spread of gangsstatewide.” Focus: Networking, communicating, and forming aworking group of law enforcement and correctionalrepresentatives to discuss specific cases and investigationsinvolving gangs and gang-related activities.

TAGITTexas Anti-Gang Information SystemTDCJ TDCJ’s s web-based based database of all confirmed and suspectedgang members. Fax or mail the application to the contact info listed on theapplication Contact: Linda ManningSecurity Threat Group OfficeTDCJ936 437-8983Linda.manning@tdcj.state.tx.us

TAGITFugitive Apprehension Program (FUGINET)TDCJ TDCJ’s s database of felony parole violators. Available dataincludes offender’s s photograph, employment history,residential history, family history, visitation lists while inprison, and the make/model/license plate number of anyvehicle operated by the offender Physical descriptions, including scars, marks, and tattoos,are also available. Contact info:(936) 437-5170fuginet@tdcj.state.tx.usbarbara.weatherford@tdcj.state.tx.us

TXGANGTexas Department of Public SafetyThe statewide repository of info on individual gang membersthat was created and is maintained by DPS, per statute (Art.61.03, CCP). For current policies and procedures, please visit:http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/txgangs/.For questions regarding TXGANG, contact:Pamela PierceSystem AnalystMSC 0233P.O. Box 4143Austin, Texas 78765-4143(512) 424-28982898pam.pierce@txdps.state.tx.us

Texas Data Exchange (TDEx) An offender-specific informationsharing database that allows criminaljustice agencies to exchange jail andrecords management systems data. To apply:www.tdex.state.tx.usAll you need to know is youragency’s s ORI number

ContactAttorney General of TexasCriminal Prosecutions DivisionJuvenile Crime Intervention SectionP.O. Box 12548Austin, TX 78711-2548(512) 463-4024JCI@oag.state.tx.us

The term “Tango” is slang for Hometown.What is a Tango?Hometown cliques or “Tangos” are a group of offenders, home-boys, who bandedtogether from the same county , city, or neighborhood for safety reasons. WEST TEXAS VALLUCO SAN ANTO EPT DALLAS FT.WORTH AUSTIN HOUSTON

TangosHoustone -Hating On Us So Tough Over Nothing EseValluco- Valley Americans Leading Latinos United ConqueringOppressionsTango - Together Against National (Negative) GangOrganizationsSan Anto - Siempre Arriba Nunca Abajo Nuestro TangoOrejon - One Raza Equally Joined Or Nothiing

WEST TEXASWTX, Puro Weso, , El Weso,Weso, , Del West, WTArea: Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene,San Angelo, Midland/Odessa,Plainview.

West Texas

A-TOWN/LA CAPIRUCHAA-TownATXLa CapiruchaCapitol City

Houstone/H/H-Town

D-Town

Trust No One But God

FORITOS/FUNKY TOWNFTXForosCow Town

EPT/CHUCO TOWNEPTSun CityTierra Del Sol

SAN ANTO

VALLUCOThe “Valley”

TANGO BLASTThe Four Horseman HOUSTON FT.WORTH DALLAS AUSTIN

Houston (Houstone) Austin (ATX) Fort Worth (Foros)Dallas (D-Town)