Info on Gangs, please....

[beautybelle]

The area where I live used to be, once upon a time, a good place to live but in the last 10 years, give or take a few, its become drug infested and is going down hill very, very fast. We had two people at a restaurant get killed this week and they're saying it is gang related. I heard a few weeks ago that there is a gang in the area and now this. We've been having drug related killing quite regularly and Im getting worried. VERY worried. I think I even seen a couple of them about 2 weeks ago at the skating ring where we went to meet our scout group. They had black jackets on with some sort of signs on it and combat boots and piercing all over. I dont have to tell you that we didnt stay. What can you all tell me about these type of people. I know they're violent but how do you live in a community where they are and stay safe?
Im getting a consealed weapons permit and im buying a gun. SOON. And Im going to be carrying it.

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

I would just search google...gang signs, gangs in (your state or city or town), etc. You should be able to find a lot of info. Also, maybe contact your local police dept. for info. In the area where I teach we had law enforcement come to our school to talk to teachers/ parents about gangs in the area and what we might see with our students.

Gangs can be so volatile to a community. Good luck!

 

[Alyssa88]

Gang activity is quite prevelant around my area. I look the other way when the younger members are outside my place selling drugs. the police know its happening, they don't care. They can be loud and incredibly annoying but if you mind your own business here they won't mess with you. One guy stopped a crack head who grabbed my arm when I told him I didn't have money.

Unfortunately there are cases of stray bullets. There is a memorial nearby for a little kid, its incredibly sad. I don't walk around my neighborhood much at night and going out during the day isn't too bad.


That only really applies to my area. I feel mostly safe here, but I do plan to leave in August, because there is more risk here. I wouldn't feel safe with a gun in my home, but that's me. I carry pepper-spray, not as effective I guess.

If it's random gang initiations, then I think I'd be more concerned. We don't experience many initiation victims from here, maybe the shooter though.

 

[beautybelle]

Initiations are what Im being told is going on. I was told the gang name but I cant remember what it was. I want to say "Bloods" but Im not sure.
We have crooks from our local politicans, to drug dealers galore, and now gangs.
I hate this place and I cant get my hubby to move.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

Isn't there a DISer who was a former gang member?? Maybe they'll pipe in with some advice.

 

[beautybelle]

Gosh, I sure hope so. Maybe they can tell me what I need to do or dont need to do. Cause right now I dont know whether Im over reacting (which I highly doubt) or what.
Panicked would better describe how I feel at the moment.

 

[imabrat]

OP, do we live in the same area? If you take out the resteraunt shooting, I swear we live in the same area.

The only ones I can think of are the Bloods, the Crips, MS-13, and Juggalos (?). I'm pretty sure to bloods and crips wear blue and red bandanas though. I'm pretty sure the Juggalos wear black with combat boots and odd hair and piercings.

 

[TheZue]

We are unfortunately having a gang war here. There have been shootings almost every day. Aparently what they are partially blaming it on is the Mexican drug war because it's aparently dried up the supply of cocaine. So now the rival gangs are fighting over the remaining supply and there is more money in it since the price has gone up. There have been a lot of very public shootings in parking lots and such in very nice areas. One woman was shot with her four year old in the back seat; her husband was a gang member. Most of the gang members they've shown here are just regular looking guys. I'm not really sure what you can do to avoid it but it's freaky

 

[*BTMRR*]

We are unfortunately having a gang war here. There have been shootings almost every day.

In British Columbia! I have never been there but I never would have imagined that to be a place with that type of crime. I guess it's everywhere, really. Sorry you are dealing with that.

OP, try talking to the police for advice. Even if it seems like they are too overwhelmed to care, they will probably have someone who is willing to help you with some basic information. Gang symbols and activity are different everywhere and your local police will best know what's going on in your area.

 

[Kathi OD]

OP, do we live in the same area? If you take out the resteraunt shooting, I swear we live in the same area.

The only ones I can think of are the Bloods, the Crips, MS-13, and Juggalos (?). I'm pretty sure to bloods and crips wear blue and red bandanas though. I'm pretty sure the Juggalos wear black with combat boots and odd hair and piercings.

Bloods - red &/or black - 5 pointed star - will slash out the letter "c" in writings. Within the gang are "sets" or sub-groups. They often fight each other. More locally organized. East Coast bloods are not tied to those in the Midwest or West Coast
Crips - blue - 6 pointed star - will slash out the letter "b" in writings - generally not "tatted up." Wear British Knights (BK = Blood Killers) Like the Bloods they have different "sets" that often fight against each other
Latin Kings - yellow &/or black - Puerto Rican memebership - 5 pointed crowns
MS 13 - one of the most highly organized and dangerous gangs in the US - blue &/or black
Netas - red, white, & blue - Puerto Rican

-boys are often "jumped in" - a group beating
-girls are generally "sexed in" - they roll a die, or dice, and have sex with the number of people that they roll
-use a system of hand signs to communicate
-hierarchy similar to the army with rules, regulations, officers, codes of conduct & consequences for breaking those rules & codes of conduct

Juggalos are definitely different from the above gangs. They are not as organized and don't follow a code of conduct like those mentioned above, except in smaller groups. Juggalos are self-proclaimed, there isn't any initiation. They began when a member of the rap group ICP (Insane Clown Posse) called the members of the audience Juggalos. A group of people can call themselves Juggalos, and either choose to be criminal or law-abiding.

There's way too much info to impart it all here.

 

[imabrat]

Actually, the Juggalos are quite popular where I am. Two juggalos were just jailed for killing a man.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I hate this place and I cant get my hubby to move.

Keep working on your husband.

Isn't there a DISer who was a former gang member?? Maybe they'll pipe in with some advice.

I hope that DISer doesn't take the bait.

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

I didn't think the Juggalos were gang either. I thought they were just annoying and listened to music that made me go because it talked about dead bodies, picking the fingernails off of dead people to eat them, that sort of thing.

And isn't MS-13 tied to the Mexican Mafia (white bandannas, graffiti the letter M, or La Eme)?

 

[Hercules10]

Where do you live? In a Texas/Mexico border town?

Does your local law enforcement have any type of gang unit? Start there.

I support you getting a CCL as you will have to go through a class. However I'd also caution you about carrying a gun into any type of gang activity area. You may not know what they're armed with and no doubt they'll shoot first.

Either way best of luck to you.

 

[Kathi OD]

I didn't think the Juggalos were gang either. I thought they were just annoying and listened to music that made me go because it talked about dead bodies, picking the fingernails off of dead people to eat them, that sort of thing.

And isn't MS-13 tied to the Mexican Mafia (white bandannas, graffiti the letter M, or La Eme)?

The problem w/ SOME who identify themselves as Juggalos is that they are partaking in criminal activity and the common identifier is that they claim to be Juggalos. In most areas, those who identify themselves as Juggalos do not fit the definition of a gang.

MS 13 is a Central American gang, originating in El Salvador. Most members are either El Salvadorian, Honduran, or Guatamalan. Members of the MS 13 are not aligned with the Mexican Mafia, although there have been some instances where "sets" of the two "organizations" will cooperate in illegal activity that is mutually beneficial.

 

[lillygator]

Isn't there a DISer who was a former gang member?? Maybe they'll pipe in with some advice.

good one, pretty sure she was not a gang member, just one on the DIS.

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

Thanks for the info, Kathi.

I love watching that show "Gangland" on The History Channel because I find the history behind why the gang got started, etc so fascinating.

 

[Kathi OD]

Thanks for the info, Kathi.

I love watching that show "Gangland" on The History Channel because I find the history behind why the gang got started, etc so fascinating.

It really is interesting. According to their PR, most gangs started as "community service organizations" in order to make a better way of life for those who were living in harsh conditions in certain neighborhoods or to provide protection from others who were destroying the neighborhood.

 

[beautybelle]

Here is some info I got today. Its not much and I dont know anything about it but I was told that there is 2 gangs in the area now and they are the "blue gang and a red gang" whatever that is supposed to mean.

Someone said that I shouldnt carry a gun if I wasnt going to use it, well I can honestly say that if I have my kids with me then heck yes I would use it in a minute if I thought for one nanosecond that my kids were in danger.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Here is some info I got today. Its not much and I dont know anything about it but I was told that there is 2 gangs in the area now and they are the "blue gang and a red gang" whatever that is supposed to mean.

Someone said that I shouldnt carry a gun if I wasnt going to use it, well I can honestly say that if I have my kids with me then heck yes I would use it in a minute if I thought for one nanosecond that my kids were in danger.

Maybe they are the bloods and crips


If things are that bad, why doesn't your husband want to move? What could be more important than the safety of your children?