The Los Angeles (LA)-based Bloods are probably the most widely recognized gangs in America due to the media exposure received in the 1980's against their territorial rivals, the Crips (FL.DOC). According to the Los Angeles Police Department between 1985-1990 about 2,682 people died from gang related violence in LA (Gangland). Some of the casualties amongst the gang warfare, where none other than incident by standards caught in the cross fire of the Los Angeles Bloods and Crips bloodshed. Throughout the years, Bloods have migrated across the United States, expanding its territory within various cities and prison systems; in order to protect themselves against rival gangs. However, the Blood gang has several individual criminally organized street …show more content…
How did this criminal street gang evolve with the growing trends of society and social media to this present day? All of the questions mentioned will be answered as you read about the Blood gang and their criminally organized empire across the globe. The Bloods have become nationally known as being the underdogs who never back down against their rivals the Crips. In the late 1960’s there were three groups of “hustlers”, the Pirus, the Brims and the Bishops who ran the streets and certain territories of South Los Angeles. These sets of hustlers operated in “pimping”, selling narcotics such as marijuana, acid, cocaine, amphetamines (whites), barbiturates (blues) and “number running”. “During the late 1960’s Raymond Washington and several other Crips confronted Sylvester Scott and Benson Owens, students at Centennial High School in Compton, California. In response to the attack, Scott, who lived in Compton, established the Piru street-gang, the first "Bloods" street gang.” …show more content…
You will learn of the traditional Blood identifiers of colors and tattoos; due to the fact that some non-traditional Blood gangs or “hybrids” have strayed from the traditional Blood gang indicators to deflect law enforcement identification. The traditional colors are red and black and can be worn in conjunction with each other or solely one color in a multitude of clothing, jewelry, ball caps and footwear. For example, when a Blood gang member is wearing all red, it is commonly known as “all flamed up”. A Blood member wears his/her colors with a sense of pride and is also utilized as intimidation factors for civilians and other rival gangs. Bloods utilize bandana’s, commonly known as “flags” to represent their gang, which can be worn on their face, wrist, head, and their back pocket. It is a sign of disrespect to the Blood gang, if the Blood flag/bandana falls to the ground, much like if the American Flag touches the ground. Aside from the flag, Blood members also wear sports or name brand clothing to represent their gang. For instance, the Chicago Bulls red and black colored sports balls caps and jerseys, to Calvin Klein’s apparel to represent “CK”, commonly known for “Crip Killer”. Another way to identify a Blood gang member that is primarily permanent to him/her is their tattoos. Some common identifiers other than “Blood”, are five point stars or