NCJ Number
146790
Date Published
Unknown
Length
37 pages
Annotation
Intended to aid California law enforcement personnel in dealing with two street gangs, the Crips and the Bloods, this report analyzes the changes taking place in these gangs.
Abstract
The Crips and the Bloods street gangs originated in California in 1969. They began because of a territorial struggle, in which youths in neighborhoods felt the need to band together for protection from rival youths. They have an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 members. Initially, they seemed to be primarily involved in predatory crimes in the Los Angeles area. Today, law enforcement authorities throughout California and other States are reporting the widespread movement of Crips and Bloods gang members from the Los Angeles area into their jurisdictions. Recent findings suggest that some members of the Crips and the Bloods are establishing themselves as more traditional organized crime groups through the lucrative market of cocaine sales. Gang members are being linked to the increasing sales of crack cocaine in cities across the Nation and to the establishment of crack houses. When gang members arrive at a new area, they give crack samples to prospective customers. They receive prices far higher than those in Los Angeles. In the past, their numbers have been offset by poor organization and a lack of leadership. However, their new focus is on increasing profits, removing themselves from the streets where they are most at risk of being arrested or killed, and evolving into organized crime groups. Summary of California legislation enacted in 1988 and profiles and photographs of gang leaders