NCJ Number
149071
Date Published
1991
Length
147 pages
Annotation
This report is designed to assist gang investigators in maintaining a current list of street gangs, their locations, policing jurisdictions, and other valuable intelligence information and in deciphering gang graffiti symbols.
Abstract
This booklet was prepared from material submitted to the California Gang Investigator's Association by gang investigators assigned to gang units throughout Southern California. An attempt was made to confirm the submitted information with the indicated agency. Gang graffiti is the most common and visible form of communication available to the gang and is used to mark turf limits, challenge rivals and give deviant forms of self-identification to gang members, who have a severe lack of self-esteem. Graffiti can also serve as a gang file of known gang members, their monikers, their cliques, their friends, their enemies, and their travels. There are some common traits and symbols found in the graffiti of the gangs; in particular, the Mexican or Hispanic gangs that have created a tradition over the generations. The gang graffiti form is now being emulated not only by the Mexican gangs but also the African- American and white gangs. Some of the more common graffiti terms are provided in this booklet. One chart lists gangs and their characteristics by gang name. Other information provided is aka's ("also known as"), the gang symbol, gang type, race, gang area, the police agency in whose jurisdiction the gang primarily operates, and the county. Another chart provides the same information but lists the gangs by gang symbol.