NCJ Number
172481
Date Published
1997
Length
420 pages
Annotation
This manual is intended as a reference and learning tool for those in the law enforcement, judicial, correctional, and educational communities, as it provides current information on and identification of street gangs.
Abstract
The investigation of gang-related incidents requires a thorough knowledge of gang identifiers and their relationships to one another. This manual assists in this effort by portraying gang identifiers such as clothing, language, and symbols. Once there is a general understanding of these identifiers, the information can be easily adapted to various geographical areas. Intelligence information on gangs from a variety of areas will make large-scale trends and patterns more evident. The manual uses the terms "People" and "Folks" to describe the basic separation of the majority of street gangs into two separate and distinct organizations. Gangs under the "People Nation," for example, will focus on the "left" (e.g., the cap is worn with the bill toward the left); use the five-point star; and normally claim affiliation with the Latin King or Vice Lord street gangs. In contrast, the gangs of the "Folks Nation" will focus on the "right," use the six-pointed star, and normally claim affiliation with the Disciples street gang. There are a small number of gangs that claim no allegiance to either the "People" or "Folks" nation. These are usually loose-knit organizations that are sometimes referred to as "independents" or "renegades." The first section of the manual provides a gang list by affiliation, followed by sections on terminology, handsigns/manual alphabet, basic identifiers (clothing, insignias, color schemes, etc.), graffiti, cross reference symbol chart, and alphabetical gang listing.