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 tags mean?
A tag (gang graffiti) done by a gang in their own turf serves to define a gang's turf, acting like a “no trespassing” sign to rival crews.
What is the point of gang graffiti?
Gang members use graffiti to identify themselves and to mark their territory. Graffiti is also a way to show disrespect for the rival gang. Typically, Folk Nation is typically identified with blue. Common Folk Nation symbols are an upright pitchfork, a six-pointed star and the numeral 6.
What are signs of gang affiliation?
Several warning signs identified in possible gang affiliation include: family conflict (curfew violations), talking back, lack of communication, changes in behavior and attitude, dress style, increase in material possessions and cash, trouble in school, peers in a gang, and low commitment to school.
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.
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 do arrows mean in graffiti?
Graffiti Lines. There are several suspicious signs that make it possible to identify gang graffiti: one is the arrow – the arrows are often attached to the gang symbol and their direction tells the situation in real time: a down arrow means that it marks a gang territory to the block where the arrow is located.
What do thugs wear?
Find a black, white, gray, or pinstriped fedora. A popular look among traditional mobsters was to wear a black hat with white trim, or white hat with gray trim. Be sure that the hat matches your suit. Again, stick with neutral colors like black, white, grey, and brown.
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 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.
Why graffiti is a crime?
The art of spraying walls, Graffiti, is illegal in many countries around the world. India is no different, as it considers Graffiti to fall under the Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1976. However, over the years our country's tolerance towards it has increased a lot.
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 is the crown used by the Latin kings?
The Devil's Head is used by the Maniac Latin Disciples and Satan Disciples. The diamond is used by the Latin Kings (four points), Four Corner Hustlers, and Orchestra Albany.
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 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, ...
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 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 is graffiti called on campus?
The current form of graffiti that concerns campuses, however, is commonly called tagging or tag-banging. The most common type of graffiti comes from individual taggers (also called “one-ers”) who seek recognition by putting their monikers on walls and other areas around a campus.
Why is graffiti a precursor to violence?
Because gang graffiti is often the precursor to escalating violence, campus law enforcement and administrators attempt to decipher what is written and intervene before an incident occurs.
What do students wear to tag?
Students’ clothes (shoes, hat visors, shirts and backpacks) may have gang signs on them. Also, a tagger might carry his graffiti tools with him (spray tips from various spray paint cans, nozzles, pens and pencils are often hidden in secret compartments in athletic shoes) so he can tag when the opportunity presents itself.
What does it mean when a crew cracks a rival group's sign?
“They will paint that sign and show it cracked in half with their sign coming out of the middle, which is a sign of disrespect from one gang to the other ,” says George Patak, operations manager for the Detroit office of Wackenhut Corp.
What age do you start a gang?
The early adolescent years (12-14 years of age) are a crucial time when youths are exposed to gangs and may consider joining a gang. Youths who are becoming involved in a gang may exhibit the following behaviors:
Do crips and bloods change daily?
Although monikers can change daily for pure taggers, the symbols and colors affiliated with gangs like the Crips and Bloods have remained remarkably consistent through the years. Many experts recommend that schools and other campuses not allow this and other types of gang symbolism and attire to be displayed or worn while at school or work.
Is graffiti gang related?
Download your copy for free! Graffiti Has Been Around for Centuries. There is a common misconception that all graffiti is gang related. Actually, scrawling on walls and other public areas has been occurring worldwide since ancient times in Greece, Rome, Mexico, Scandinavia, Ireland and other areas.
What is graffiti terminology?
Graffiti Terminology - Gang Enforcement. A number of words and phrases have come to describe different styles and aspects of graffiti. Like other jargon, some phrases vary in different cities and countries. The following terminology comes primarily from the United States.
What does it mean to go over graffiti?
The mark left after paint or ink has been unsuccessfully buffed. Going Over. To "go over" a piece of graffiti simply means to paint on top of it. While most writers respect one another's artwork, to intentionally and disrespectfully paint on top of another's work is akin to a graffiti declaration of war.
What is a graffiti sketchbook?
A graffiti artist's sketchbook. Also known as a "piece book.". It is often used to sketch out and plan potential graffiti, and to collect tags from other writers. It is a writer's most valuable property, containing all or a majority of the person's sketches and pieces.
When was graffiti popular?
Heavily used during the hey-day of the New York City Subway graffiti era during the early 1970s to late 1980s, it has a nostalgic status.
Where is graffiti done?
Graffiti done inside trains, trams, or buses. In 1970s New York, there was as much graffiti inside the subway trains as outside, and the same is true of some cities today (like Rome, Italy and Melbourne, Australia). While still very common, insides are often perceived as being less artistic.
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).
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.