NCJ Number
168065
Journal
Journal of Gang Research Volume: 4 Issue: 3 Dated: (Spring 1997) Pages: 61-75
Date Published
1997
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This paper profiles the characteristics of the Crips gang, based on findings from Project GANGECON, a large-scale national gang research project conducted by the National Gang Crime Research Center to examine the economic functions, infrastructure, and activities of American gangs.
Abstract
Project GANGFACT surveyed over 4,000 gang members in 17 States during 1996. Data on 873 Crips were available in the Project GANGFACT database. Crips were found in 68 of the 85 correctional facilities surveyed in the project. This report summarizes the profile information based on this sample of Crips. The information provided encompasses the types of Crip "sets" (units or chapters of the Crip gang), demographic and personality factors for Crip members, their early childhood experiences, religious factors, and ethnic and racial diversity in Crip gangs. Other information covers the entering of a Crip gang, female involvement in Crip gang life, crime patterns among gang members, drug sales patterns among Crip gang members, and violence propensity among Crip members. Other information addresses the infrastructure of Crip gangs, gang structure factors, and getting out of a Crip gang. The report presents a partial list of known geographical dispersion of Crip gangs by State and cities within States. The locations of correctional facilities where Crips are in custody are also listed by State. Sample graffiti from various Crip chapters are provided.