Graffiti
One of the first indications
gang activity may be present in your community is graffiti. Graffiti marks
territorial boundaries warning intruders, rival gang members, and even
officers that they are not welcome. Gangs may use graffiti to boast of
crimes committed. It is not unusual to find graffiti at the scene of a
crime if gang members were involved.
Gang members also let people know a lot about what is going on in their
world through graffiti. For instance, if any gang members are killed,
other members may do a memorial on the wall for all those who have passed
away. Graffiti may also be used to advertise the sale of drugs or an impending
homicide.
It is imperative for officers to look at and understand gang graffiti
to better understand what is going on in a gang. Look for the name of
the gang. It may be a street name, neighborhood, city, school, or landmark
in the area.
Nicknames or "monikers" (street names) may also be used in graffiti. Long
lists of monikers are called "roll calls" and usually list many members
of a gang. Look for special messages such as RIP or 187 (usually a threat
of violence), which is common for most gangs. Being aware of some of these
graffiti messages will help officers when they have to interact with gang
members.
Officers need to be familiar with the difference between gang graffiti
and scribbled graffiti. Not all graffiti is gang related. A great deal
of the graffiti found throughout communities is nothing more than vandalism
by non-gang members. This type of graffiti is hard to read because of
its scribbled form.
Graffiti should not be acceptable in any community. The removal of graffiti
can be easily taken care of. Law enforcement can encourage community members
to volunteer by helping clean up neighborhoods or sponsoring fund-raisers
to help reduce the cost of graffiti removal.
Gang Graffiti Web Links
Graffitti
http://www.gangsorus.com/graffiti.html
Characteristics of
Gang Graffiti
http://members.tripod.com/~Carl815/graffito.htm
Connecticut-based
People, Folk, Brotherhood, and Latin Kings
http://members.tripod.com/~Carl815/WEBPAGE.htm
Bloods
http://www.gangcolors.com/
L.A.-based
Crips
http://www.streetgangs.com/graffiti/crips/
L.A.-based
Crips (Hat Gang)
http://www.streetgangs.com/graffiti/crips/hatgang92.html
L.A.-based
Hispanic Gang Graffiti
http://www.streetgangs.com/graffiti/hispanic/
L.A.-based Hispanic Gang Graffiti
http://www.streetgangs.com/graffiti/hispanic/ela13.html
Latin Kings
http://www.heathenworld.com/graffiti/grafit25.html
L.A.-based
18th Street gangs
http://www.streetgangs.com/graffiti/hispanic/graf_sc18.html
