How To Recognize Gang Graffiti. Gang graffiti has the purpose to demonstrate the power or the status of a gang. It is used to define the territory of a gang and to determine the...
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How To Recognize Gang Graffiti
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By
Mary Smith. Updated: January 16, 2017
Gang graffiti has the purpose to demonstrate the power or the status of a gang. It is used to define the territory of a gang and to determine the dissemination of the intentions of the gang. They warn strangers and people who are not from the gang, such as law force and other trespassers, that they are about to trespass a prohibited area. They can also notify customers of potential drug or sex sale, or it may simply be a tribute to the death of a gang member of the gang. Although
gangs have their own symbols, they follow a set of rules with regard to how to display them and many stay the same for many years. This is why we'd like to show you
how to recognize gang graffiti.
Steps to follow:
1. Take a look at the letters and its design. If you want to
recognize gang graffiti, note that if the graffiti consists of symbols and has several colors of paint, it is most likely not related to
a gang. They contain surprisingly angular letters, which are painted in one color and often combine satanic and/or religious images.
2.
Look for numbers in a graffiti. Many gangs use a number code that match the alphabetic order of each of the letters.For example, numbers like 13 or 14, usually signify the presence of a Hispanic gang. Note that M is the 13th letter in the alphabet, and represents either Mexico or "La Eme," which is how the Mexican Mafia is commonly known. The number 14 would therefore represent the letter N, which is the 14th letter in the alphabet, and means "North" or "northern".
You should also know that that the three-digit numbers, 031 or 021, are usually used by members of the Bloods. Insane Gangster Disciples could also mark their territory by inscribing 9,7,4; i.e, I, G,D.
Numbers are also commonly used by Bloods and Crips, who use the number 187 in California, which is the number given to 1st degree murder.
3. Sometimes we can see a
combination of numbers and letters. If you see two numbers after the letters N, S, E or W (north, south, east or west) this represents the territorial directions or guidance of the gang. Consider an "S" that follows N, S, E or W usually means "side".
Image: da.wikipedia.org
4. Rival gangs can cross out other gangs' graffiti. They will sometimes be followed by a "K", which means killing as a threat from a rival gang to the gang who did the original graffiti.
5. Some gangs use
abbreviations in their graffiti such as the Latin Kings, the Latin Queens or the Gangster disciples, who will usually mark their territory with "LK, "LQ! or "GD" respectively.
There are letters that also have a common meaning when recognizing gang graffitti. For example, if you see an "A" at the beginning of the letters, these mean "Almighty" and an "N" as the last letter of the gang symbols means "nation." A and N are everywhere and are used by many gangs regardless of their status and power. What the letter C refers to along with "VL" is a remark to a subsidiary, or local sub-group of the biggest gang.
6. Gangs can also use
pictures and symbols to identify themselves. The five pointed crown is also a symbol commonly used for Latin Kings graffiti. On the other hand, Crips usually use a star of David, or six pointed star. It's important to tell them apart from Bloods, as these used a five pointed star.
