Gang Graffiti • Used to transmit messages, symbolize gang’s power, advertise drug sale and declare territorial boundaries – Gangs use graffiti as a “newspaper”, or “bulletin board” • Graffiti indicates gang activity in a community
Full Answer
What are Gang Signs and their meanings?
You can learn about these signs and symbols from:
- Graffiti;
- Social media;
- Cell searches of jails;
- Probation/parole searches of gang member (juvenile gang members love to put these symbols in their school notebooks and elsewhere);
- Tattoos;
- Interviews with gang members.
What are the different gang signs?
Signs of gang activity in your neighborhood: Clustering of groups of youth in public places (corner stores, etc.) wearing or displaying a particular color. Increased reports of fights and arguments on school property. Increased sightings of graffiti. Violent incidents reported in your neighborhood.
What are common gang hand signs?
- Telephone. ...
- Serbian three-finger salute is a salute used by ethnic Serbs, made by extending the thumb, index, and middle fingers.
- The Scout's salute is a three-finger salute and sign used by members of the international Scout movement. ...
- The term "three-finger salute" is also applied in a joking way to the finger.
What do gang hand signs mean?
Hand Signs. ‘Stacking’ or ‘Throwing Up’ is a signal that is used with the hands and is one of the most common forms of ‘claiming’ or gesturing. It is used in most situations where other signals or identifiers may not be appropriate or possible. Sometimes, it is used to show that a gang member wants to do business. YouTube.
What do gang graffiti mean?
Gang graffiti is one of the most misunderstood elements in gang investigations. It can literally mean nothing in certain instances, while in other circumstances it conveys important messages between gang members – both friend and foe. Gang investigators need to be able to separate the important from the irrelevant.
What do arrows mean in gang graffiti?
Gangs mark drug turf, sometimes using arrows to direct buyers, other times to illustrate support or disrespect for a gang, police said. Graffiti can warn rivals to stay away. Crossing out a rival gang member's name can mean impending violence.
Is graffiti usually gang-related?
Many people believe that graffiti signals the presences of a gang. While gang graffiti is unnerving, less than 10% of all graffiti nationwide is gang-related.
Do gang signs have meaning?
A gang signal is a visual or verbal way gang members identify their affiliation. This can take many forms including slogans, tattoos or hand signs. Many of these, especially slogans and hand signs,…
What does 6 mean to Crips?
The number 5 is commonly used by the Bloods, and the number 6 is used by the Crips. The up arrow through the 5 is showing respect to the Bloods while the down arrow through the 6 is showing disrespect to the Crips. To the right is an example of Crip graffiti.
What does LOC stand for Crip?
LOC commonly used by members of the Crips stands for “Love of Crip.” The six pointed star commonly referred to as the Star of David is used by the Crips. … This was done by someone who does not like members of the “Crip” gang.
What does X4 mean in graffiti?
Graffiti shorthand and what it means (as provided by Gudino): "X4," "4," and "XIV" = symbolic of the number 14 ("X" signifies the number 10) believed to come from the letter "N" as the fourteenth letter in the alphabet. Shorthand for the Norteños.
What are the three types of graffiti?
Types of graffiti.Tag. Tagging is the easiest and simplest style of graffiti; it includes one colour and the artist's name or identifier. ... Throw-up or a bomb. Sometimes called a "throwie" is a simple form of graffiti, sitting between a tag and a bomb. ... Letters. Letters can be different styles. ... Piece or character.
What gang is 4s?
Obi-Wan Takes the High Ground! - The LoopFour Corner HustlersRivalsFolk Nation, Crips, MLDS, Gangster DisciplesFactionsBARNONE 4CH, HADAIRE 4CH, 360 OUTSIDERS, BODY SNATCHERS, MACATIVE 4CH, MANIAC 4CH, ANGELO 4CH, SNIPER 4CH, L.T. 4s, SPANISH 4s12 more rows
What gang is black bandana?
Besides the gang meaning, there was a time when bandanas were also correlated with homosexuality....Bandana Color Meaning.Bandana ColorMeaningPurpleRepresents the Grape Street Crips gang.GreenWorn by Bay Area Crips gang.BlackUsually considered a neutral color.GreyUsed to be common in Asian gangs.6 more rows
What do Gdk mean?
GDK means and stands for Gangster Disciples Killer. The term “GDK” has been used by 21 Savage, Moneybagg Yo, Polo G, Fivio Foreign, Lil Durk, G Herbo, and many more rappers.
What does Chicago street gang graffiti mean?
Chicago Gang Graffiti and it's meaning. Chicago Street Gangs are not only very violent, but they rely on a belief system that entails symbols. For instance the Vice Lords represent with eight different symbols; all having significant meaning. Chicago Gang Graffiti implements these symbols in positive and negative ways.
What is the difference between Chicago Gang Graffiti and Chicago Gang Graffiti?
One main difference with Chicago Gang Graffiti is that gangs do not cross out their rivals.
What does the upside down A mean?
The upside down A to the left is disrespecting the Ambrose gang. To the right they are disrespecting the Latin Kings with an upside down crown. This is Bishops graffiti. The five pointed star above the I means they represent the PEOPLES Nation. The 1 and 8 means they claim 18th Street in Chicago.
What does the 5 pointed star above the I mean?
The five pointed star above the I means they represent the PEOPLES Nation. The 1 and 8 means they claim 18th Street in Chicago. This is Bishops graffiti. The five pointed star above the I means they represent the PEOPLES Nation. The 1 and 8 means they claim 18th Street in Chicago. This is Bishops graffiti.
What is the rabbit head used for?
The heart is used by the Gangster Disciples and Maniac Latin Disciples. The rabbit head with straight ears is used by the Simon City Royals and Vice Lords. The shield is used by the Simon City Royals, Latin Counts, and 2-2 Boys.
What does the dollar sign mean in the C Notes?
The Dollar Sign is used by Vice Lords and the C-Notes. It also signifies profits through distribution of drugs. The eye, pyramid, and half crescent moon is used by the Black P Stone Nation, Mickey Cobra Stones, Puerto Rican Stones, and the Vice Lords. Gloves are used by the Vice Lords and Harrison Gents.
What is the number 7 in the Chicago gang?
I will break down the gang graffiti, explaining the gang's motivation and what the symbols mean! The number 7 is used by the Black P Stone Nation, Mickey Cobra Stones, and Vice Lords.
Why do gangs spray graffiti?
However, while gangs may create or use graffiti, it is not an indicator or result of any significant gang activity. More often than not, gangs tend to spray graffiti to mark their territories or to send out threats to rival gangs. When warring with another gang, they sometimes visit certain locations where the rival gang has already made its mark on and cross out the names of enemies or just cover these names with the help of graffiti.
What is a gang sign?
A gang sign or symbol is a method used by gang members to make themselves known to rivals or allies. Traditionally speaking, these signs have manifested themselves in the form of gang-related tattoos, attire, graffiti, and even hand signs. Although most signs are relatively standard amongst some of the larger groups, ...
What do tattoos represent?
Since the very beginning, tattoos have been associated with gangs of all kinds, whether violent or non-violent. This is because tattoos connote the toughness that is desired by all gang members, and some tattoos are associated with permanence. Most designs are usually symbolic in nature and are often found in all members of the clan, with just a few variations depending on the area. Some tattoos represent specific deeds carried out by members, murder being a common example. The symbols used in tattoos are sometimes very involved, and could also refer to a certain meaning or mythology that the gang has invented for itself. For instance, the Star of David symbol represents the Folk Nation gang that was once led by a man known as King David. What’s more, each point of this star was used to represent the value of the nation. The Tidewater and North Carolina Hoodies represent themselves with an hourglass image. The Elizabeth City Mafia use the hourglass figure with three strips on top.
What are signs and symbols used for?
Signs symbols have always been used to identify a certain gang or to disrespect or intimidate rival gangs. These signs and symbols come in many forms and have been adopted by different gangs or created by other gangs. Ever heard of the pyramid, or the five- or six-pointed star?
What does the Star of David symbol mean?
For instance, the Star of David symbol represents the Folk Nation gang that was once led by a man known as King David.
What are the signs used by gangs?
Other signs and symbols used by gang members are special handshakes, which is also a component of a hand sign. These are just a few of the signs used by gang members all over the world, but these are the most common ones.
How do gangs differentiate themselves from each other?
Each gang member will abide by certain laws and customs. Gangs can be differentiated from one another by their attire, colors, graffiti, tattoos, and hand signs.
What are the indicators of gang affiliation?
Speech is the most obvious; however, gang members also make use of nonverbal methods of exchanging thoughts. Graffiti, hand signs, colors, and tattoos are indicators of gang affiliation. Gang members have their own language, which contains phrases, hand signs, tattoos, markings and graffiti. These often overlap.
What is the Bloods gang?
Originally from Los Angeles, the Bloods are one of the largest associations of street gangs in the United States. These extremely vio- lent and aggressive street gangs, referred to as sets, have adopted a common gang phi- losophy. Members use violence to protect and expand their drug distribution.
Where are the crips from?
crips. Originally from Los Angeles , the Crips are an organization of aggressive and brutal gang members who are heavily involved in the drug trade. Throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s the Crips developed intricate net- works and a respected reputation with other gangs across America.
What does graffiti mean in gangs?
Gang graffiti can also indicate working alliances between gangs, which are indicated by graffiti representing two different groups. In Anchorage, Ala., for instance, there was a case where some graffiti had the initials "TRG" and "FTC" written next to each other; beneath it was the phrase, "works here.".
Why do gangs use graffiti?
Many gangs use graffiti to brag about the crimes they have committed; therefore, it's not unusual to find graffiti at the scene of a burglary or murder. Some gangs may even mark the tools of the crime they commit, for example, members of West Side Paramount (WSP) gang of Paramount, Calif., were involved in several arsons, utilizing gasoline bombs (Molotov cocktails). After the shattered bottles were recovered at the scene, one could easily see the words "WSP" written on the chunks of glass.
What does 619 mean in graffiti?
In San Diego, for example, the Impe gang-short for the city of Imperial, Calif.,-uses the numerals "619" in their gang graffiti (or they might spell it out). Another common symbol in Hispanic gang graffiti is the letter "R" or the word "Rifa," both of which are short for "we are the best," or "we are No. I.".
What is graffiti used for?
Graffiti can also be used to notify a fellow gang member that disciplinary action is in order. This is often indicated by the code, "LEVA," which is written next to a gang member's name or accompanied by an arrow pointing to the member's name.
Why is graffiti important?
Gang graffiti can also have another important function: to intimidate non-gang members, particularly on school grounds, where it can have a disruptive effect on the students as well as the teaching staff. The graffiti we routinely see can be an extension of a gang member's personal attitude toward police.
What does "somos" mean in gangs?
Many gangs are now using the Spanish word, "somos," which stands for "we are" and placing it on top of the gang roster. It can be abbreviated as "SMS," and is usually accompanied by a list of gang "monikers" (a name or series of names in the graffiti).
What does 13 mean in prison?
In the California state prison system, the number "13" also is a symbol for the Mexican mafia, more commonly known as the "Eme.". If the gang originates in Northern California, expect to see the number 14-the 14th letter of the alphabet, "N," which represents Norteno (north).
Why do gangs use graffiti?
Graffiti. Gangs use graffiti to identify themselves and their territory. With graffiti, they mark their territory or turf, declare their allegiance to the gang, advertise the gang’s status or power, announce their presence, challenge rivals and announce working relationships between gangs.
What is a gang photo?
To be in a gang photograph, a member has to be trusted by the gang . Photographs memorialize a moment in time for the gangs and are kept as mementos. Many gangs also use video cameras to record their activities. In one instance, a gang member videotaped his burglary of a southern California resort hotel.
How do gangs keep pictures?
Many gang members keep photo albums with pictures of themselves and their fellow members. These pictures may show individual members of the gang, the style of clothes that are acceptable and the gang’s hand sign or graffiti, and may also show gang members posing with weapons or committing crimes. To be in a gang photograph, a member has to be trusted by the gang. Photographs memorialize a moment in time for the gangs and are kept as mementos. Many gangs also use video cameras to record their activities. In one instance, a gang member videotaped his burglary of a southern California resort hotel. He then added music and turned the videotape in as a school assignment for which he received an “A.”
Why do gangs vandalize?
Gangs purposely vandalize and destroy public and private property in order to enhance their reputation. Of equal concern with property damage is the violence associated with gang graffiti. Some adults believe they do not have to worry as much about graffiti in the neighborhood.
What does it mean when a non-gang member wears gang clothing?
When a non-gang member wears gang-type clothing, real gang members can believe that the wearer is involved in a gang and may put the wearer of gang clothing in harm’s way. Other gangs prefer baggy or “sagging” pants or baseball caps turned at an angle.
What is gang attire?
It helps identify peer and rival gang members. Stylized gang clothing is a non-verbal way of indicating gang membership. Some common gang attire, such as the three-quarter-length cutoff pants and knee-high socks, has become a popular dress style for many young people throughout the country.
How do gang members communicate?
The use of e-mail has become a common way to communicate. Many gang members use cellular phones, pagers and scanners to socialize, plan criminal activities, sell drugs and warn each other of pending rival gang or police contact. Gang members often ommunicate, recruit, socialize and sell drugs using the computer.
What is graffiti art?
Just like any other subculture, graffiti and street art have their own specific language and terms, with hundreds of words and phrases used to describe different graffiti fonts, styles and aspects. As it is the case with other jargons or colloquialisms, some phrases and words used in the world of graffiti are region-specific and they vary in different cities and countries.
What is an angel in graffiti?
Graffiti term 'angel' is most commonly used when referring to a famous or highly respected graffiti artist who has passed away. Graffiti writers who admire 'angels' tag their names with floating halos, make tribute pieces with their faces or write tags with the dates of their birth and death. Featured is the photograph of Banksy's 'angel', a tribute mural piece he did in the memory of graffiti writer Ozone who was tragically killed by a moving train. It was painted on the same wall on which Banksy and Ozone had a small artistic dispute when Ozone painted over one of Banksy's pieces.
What is a throw up graffiti?
'Throw-up' or 'throwie' is a widely referenced graffiti term, most commonly used to describe tag-like drawings of bubble letters designed for quick execution (we all know why) of graffiti words, and usually consisting of artist's name and only two colors. More strictly, it's meaning in subway art is described as an outlined name painted quickly with only one layer of spraypaint, even though many consider it to be bubble letters of any sort. Featured image is of the famous Panic Room by Tilt, meticulously painted throw-up intervention he did in the Au Vieux Panier hotel in Marseille, France. Another famous and highly representative throw-up graffiti artist is a New York City street art legend Cope2.
What is back to back graffiti?
The term 'back to back' refers to graffiti piece that is painted all the way across a wall, from end to end. Similar to 'back to back' graffiti, trains sometimes receive 'end to end' paintings, often abbreviated as 'e2e', when a train car has been painted along its entire length. 'End to end' graffiti were used to be called 'window-downs', but this is an older expression that is fading from popularity. The meaning of this graffiti term can be expanded, as 'Back to back' is also widely used to describe 'throw-up' graffiti that are painted one after another.
What is a married couple in graffiti?
In graffiti world, the term 'married couple' refers to two simultaneous train cars painted next to each other with a single painting evenly spread across both cars. Some graffiti artists cleverly twist the term by connecting the two paintings across the gap between the two cars, often in a humoristic or obvious way, in order to emphasize the marriage.
Why do gangs use hand signs?
Hand signs are used by gangs to identify their gang and as a form of communication. They may also be “fl ashed” as a warning or threat to rival gangs. They are often “thrown” quickly, making interpretation diffi cult for the non-expert.
What is a group of juveniles and/or adults in a geographic area whose activities include (but are
A group of juveniles and/or adults in a geographic area whose activities include (but are not limited to) the unlawful use of force, intimidation, and/or threats and violence to further the group’s ac-tivities.