“Run and you only go to jail tired.” Sgt. Bachert, APD Gangs Lehigh Valley Gangs “Run and you only go to jail tired.” Sgt. Bachert, APD

People Nation Sets (gangs) Folk Nation Sets (gangs) Gang Alliances People Nation Sets (gangs) Latin Kings Bloods Spanish gangs Spanish Lords El Rukns Latin Counts Kents Chicago based Folk Nation Sets (gangs) CRIPS Black gangs Black Gangster Disciples Black Disciples Cobras Eagles Chicago based

Mentality & Philosophy Folk & People “Folk before family” “I will not let my brother fall to a knee.” “All is all.” (people) “All is well.” (people” “All is one.” (folk)

People nation identifiers Five pointed star Champagne glass Five pointed crown Number 5 Pyramid Cane & top hat Crescent moons Left side: hand signs / roll up left pant leg / untie left shoe / jewelry on left / hand in left pocket

Folk nation identifiers Pitchfork Six pointed star Number 6 Heart with wings Heart with devil’s tail Tattoo: BOS(S): brothers of the (strong) struggle Identifiers Right side oriented for clothes / tattoos / jewelry / pants leg / cap

trends National trends 1. drug distribution 2. organized crime ties 3. increased use of technology 4. infiltration military 5. increased role for women PA trends 1. major increase in gangs 2. constant movement 3. constant metamorphosis 4. influx from Mexico & Latin America 5. income: drugs

gang - definition Basics 1. formal / informal group 2. ongoing organization 3. group of 3 or more 4. who have: a. common name / signs / symbols b. engage in crime c. own code of conduct d. gang more important than family / religion

gang facts 1. formed for defense than prey 2. multiply by dividing 3. access to weapons 4. no fear of punishment 5. recruit for “at risk” youth

why gangs spread 1. police pressure 2. denial syndrome 3. seek areas with limited police 4. recruit from prisons 5. poor family structure 6. areas lacking community resources

“can’t be eliminated – only displaced” crime “can’t be eliminated – only displaced”

what do kids see? 1. media glorification of gangs 2. violent video games 3. violent rap music Violent movies / television Statistically proven

gang statistics 1. one million members nationally 2. 31,000 gangs 3. 11% female 4. Latino / Black majority 5. 14% white 6. 5% Asian 7. 46% multiracial / ethnic

Respect + Revenge + Retaliation = Thugism gang principles Respect + Revenge + Retaliation = Thugism

entry into a gang 1. jump in – physically beaten 2. walking the line – act of bravery 3. blessed in – free pass 4. blood in – take / loose blood 5. burned in – cigarette burns 6. sexed in (girls) – group sex or “roll the dice” with HIV member 7. criminal act

gang member’s attitudes 1. anti-authority 2. anti-police 3. anti-cooperative 4. life is cheap 5. smarter than authorities

statistics: Allentown Police Department Based on SRO reports: 20 arrests per month 200 referrals per month Vast majority gang-related

sign language (formal) fastest growing language in prison and in gangs

recognition of gang membership 1. colors 2. symbols 3. tattoos 4. graffiti 5. jewelry 6. burn marks 7. haircuts (symbols) 8. check notebooks

Read / photograph / remove Unwritten rules of gangs What graffiti says: 1. gangs present 2. territory 3. crimes 4. Identifiers 5. # of members 6. vocabulary 7. violence 8. drugs Read / photograph / remove Unwritten rules of gangs 1. supreme loyalty to gang 2. sharing of profits 3. never inform on the gang

Factors for admission to gang why join a gang? 1. poor family life 2. poor academics 3. socially poor 4. unmotivated 5. non-acceptance 6. lack of protection 7. thrill of lifestyle 8. false beliefs 9. boredom Factors for admission to gang 1. age 2. experience 3. background 4. loyalty 5. courage 6. daring 7. reputation 8. knowledge

10. WILL HIDE WEAPONS IN SCHOOL FOR EASY ACCESS street gang profile 1. average age 12-24 (8 to 60) 2. majority male 3. any race 4. Education (3rd – 12th) 5. military trained (tactics) 6. infiltrate police (intelligence) 7. more recruitment of upper class kids 8. more and more violent crime 9. types of identifiers and hangouts 10. WILL HIDE WEAPONS IN SCHOOL FOR EASY ACCESS

gang structure Leader Vice President Enforcer Minister of Education Soldiers Young members Associates

types of gangs Supergangs: Crips / Bloods / People / Folk Hybrid: influenced by 2 or more gangs Ethnic – Asian / Mexican Scavenger – unstructured Territorial – obvious Corporate – set-up like organized crime

Lehigh Valley gangs

Bloods aka Piru / Damu Piru (street in Los Angeles) Damu (blood in Swahili) Major color: RED Minor colors: black / green (money) Symbol Five pointed star Major tattoos Pit bulls MOB (member of blood) MOM (money over bitches) Burn patterns Blood walk: dance to show membership

Use of cryptoquotes for codes Bloods Terminology 900 words / numbers 001 – tear him up 730 – time to eat 357 – blood for life 411 – snitch 555 – I need a gun 775 – the hood Use of cryptoquotes for codes N stands for A etc Won’t recognize the letter c (CRIPS) Violence Based on Sun Tzu – create so much violence enemy won’t retaliate

Bloods Blood pledge “I pledge allegiance to our flag the United Bloods in the chapter and to the real OG’s for what we stand, one set, under blood oath for each blood to carry the burden for all bloods.” Symbols Hats: Anaheim Angels / Bosox / Braves / Mariners Miami Heat shirt Terms Wolf pack – attack Mr. Windows – murder Desert Storm – war Burners – guns 5 poppin / 6 droppin – bloods shooting / CRIPS dying

community revolution in progress CRIPS community revolution in progress

Minor colors: black / white CRIPS Colors Major color: blue Minor colors: black / white Symbols 6 pointed star Pitchforks Tattoos Six pointed star pitchforks Tattoos Left side only Burned on Terminology Drink milk – attack Special walk Special hand sign

Almighty Latin King & Queen Nation Latin Kings Almighty Latin King & Queen Nation

Latin Kings Colors Major: black & gold Red – support fallen gang members Symbols 3 or 5 point crowns Beads black / gold: 5 black / 5 gold / 1 white = 360 beads Primarily Puerto Rican Tattoos Crowns / lion / ADR (love for the king) Eyebrows Shave 3 lines into each brow Use gold paper & black ink Entry by application Probationary period Rules: “The King’s Manifesto”

Latin Kings 1. structured / organized 2. constitutions 3. “all for one” mentality 4. internal discipline extreme Violations: Suspension / termination / assault / death Holidays 06 Jan: “Kings Holy Day” First week of March – “Kings Week”

Latin Kings 5 pointed crown Respect Honesty Unity Love Color significance Black: knowledge of the ancients / superiors of the past Gold: the sun that shines on their crown Red: fallen brothers

Typical hierarchy Crown Council – policy Chief of Security – enforcement Treasurer – money Investigators – vetting new members Finance committee – drug purchases Business committee – drug distribution Secretary – minutes at inner circle meetings Typical prayer “”Our Father the King of Kings, you can have my heart at your will and let your sun shine upon our colors as your sun shines upon the earth.”

Random “King” facts Crossed arms – right over left Never cover right hand – crown N.I.K.E. – Nation Inca King & Everlasting

NETA Closely tied to Latin Kings Developed in the Puerto Rican prison system (Rio Pedras Prison) Male only “independence for the island of Puerto Rico” Members – must recruit 20 candidates 30th of the month – celebration of death of NETA’s

14-point code of discipline Black substituted for blue NETA Colors White / blue / red Beads 78 white / 7 blue / 1 red + a cross Tattoos 3 dots / teardrop 14-point code of discipline Black substituted for blue Terminology BOS – beat down on sight TOS – terminate on sight SOS – shoot on sight Insects – prisoner convicted of an improper crime – will die in 24 hours

Mara Salvatrucha “Army of Ants” Mara – gang / salvatrucha – Salvadoran guy Newest and most violent gang So far only the Pen Argyl area Found in 33 states

Mara Salvatrucha Birthplace: El Salvador Weapon of choice: machette Assisting terrorists into U.S. Graffiti MS13 & MSXIII Shoelaces tied as XIII Membership requirement: assault a police officer Drug trade Will tax other drug dealers or eliminate them Tattoos Hands: spider webs MS anywhere Female figures 3 dots … (prison / hospital / cemetery) 13 – lucky number M – 13th letter of alphabet

Vows: gang / God / family – that order MS - 13 MS – 13 membership: Salvadorians Guatemalans Hondurans Vows: gang / God / family – that order

Mara Salvatrucha Hand sign: devil’s horns Pinkies up: “All hail MS” Pinkies down: death / beating

Mexican Mafia Chacteristics EME – eternal war MM M Mexican flag (with snake & eagle) Handprint in black Mexicans Mexican-Americans Hispanic Women – high regard Drug dealers / extortion “blood in blood out”

Asian gangs 50 Asian gangs found in Montgomery County Symbols / tattoos: 5 dots ….. (north, south, east, west & sad lonely life); dragons / panthers / tigers Specialize in home invasions

Aryan Brotherhood White / male Shamrock clover leaf Swastikas Double lightning bolts 666 “getting high & getting over (prison stretch)” “blood in blood out” Violence for acceptance

White power groups Colors: black & red Steroid abusers Tattoos Pit bulls / #14 Keystone State Skinheads: largest & most violent “Those Opposed” white power band out of Allentown Shoelaces / suspenders: black / white / red