1. Santa Cruz NorteÑo CLOTHING TRENDS
The following local photographs represent
Norteño criminal street gangs in Santa Cruz:
North Side Santa Cruz and
West Side Santa Cruz/West Side Chicos

2. DISCLAIMER: The items shown here are popular among youth
DISCLAIMER: The items shown here are popular among youth. Many non-gang members also wear these particular clothes and accessories. Simply wearing these clothes does not necessarily indicate gang involvement. However, the clothing represented here is also worn by local gang members (and those imitating gang members). These images are shown here in the spirit of prevention and intervention. They are meant to be a tool for parents and educators. Again, simply wearing these items does not mean a youth is gang-involved. As parents and educators we should look for other causes for concern. Other Causes for Concern: Wearing a lot of the items shown here Refusing to wear blue Wearing items shown here, as well as graffiti or tagging on notebooks, using hand-signs, changes in behavior or other signs of potential involvement (see Signs of Potential Involvement) Please also note that clothing trends are constantly changing. We will update this website as often as possible to reflect those changes.

3. The “W” baseball hat is also by Norteños in Watsonville.
The baseball caps with a “W” are commonly used by those affiliated or associated with the West Side Santa Cruz or West Side Chicos Norteño criminal street gang.
The “W” baseball hat is also by Norteños in Watsonville.

4. Depicted below are two very specific baseball style caps utilized by the Norteño criminal street gang West Side Santa Cruz or West Side Chicos. Criminal street gangs will commonly adopt popular logos or brands as their sign, symbol or as something that identifies them. The WS logo is one that has been adopted and utilized quite frequently by the West Side Norteño criminal street gang.

5. The shirt depicted below is popular in Santa Cruz and used by the general public however it is also used by the Norteño criminal street gang that represents West Side Santa Cruz.
The photograph depicted above is of a person displaying a custom made white t-shirt with West Side in red lettering. The person is also wearing a black baseball cap with SF that stands for “Scrap Free” which is a derogatory term used against Sureños. The person is also displaying a one finger with his right hand and four fingers with his left hand to show the number 14.

6. The red baseball cap with SF in white letters stands for “Scrap Free
The red baseball cap with SF in white letters stands for “Scrap Free.” As you may have noted the San Francisco Giants’ color is not red – this hat was custom-made.
The black and red baseball cap is a more subtle way of identifying one self with the Norteño criminal street gang.

7. The images below represent common signs and symbols adopted by Norteños: the northern star, Cal in red, and the bear from the Californian flag. “Upstate” and “Nor Cal” are also signs and symbols utilized to identify one’s self as a Norteño gang member and denote that one is from the northern regions of California.

8. The oversized shirts, baggy pants, and red accents are typical identifiers for Santa Cruz Norteños.

9. The red flannel shirt is also often used by Norteños.
The San Francisco 49ers jersey is commonly used to show one’s allegiance, affiliation or association to the Norteño criminal street gang, especially one that has the number 4 or 14 on it.
The color red is often used in subtle ways in clothing and accessories to express gang affiliation.
The red flannel shirt is also often used by Norteños.

10. “Nor Cal” and the northern star are common symbols used by Norteños and are depicted here on different color t-shirts, in different color text and on hats.

11. The photographs below were taken of the same t-shirt that depicts a crown over 831 CEN CAL (stands for Central California) and the northern star in black and white. The northern star is a symbol utilized by the Norteño criminal street gangs.
Listed over the northern star are the names of cities that have Norteño criminal street gang influence. The Salad Bowl is Salinas, Fog Town is Marina, and the Artichoke is Castroville.

12. Shoes and shoelaces are often worn in red to identify oneself as Norteño.

13. For more information: