Crips Structure

Introduction
Since the late 1960’s, the “Crips” have been synonymous with gang violence and crime. Despite being started as an organization utilized to defend itself and its’ neighborhood from other violent gangs, the “Crips” have evolved into a fierce organization that draws its’ standing from murder, drugs and a bountiful number of active members. It is a prime example of how an organization could allegedly start as something positive for a community and eventually devolve into one of the most feared criminal organizations on the West coast of the United States. In this examination of threats to the United States we will investigate the entirety of the “Crips” structure. The first section will outline the history of the organization with

(UnitedGangs.com, “Crips”) Modeled on the Black Panther movement, which Raymond was too young to participate in at the time, this group began with the intent of forcefully protecting their neighborhoods from anyone who meant to do them harm. The name “Baby Avenues” came from another local gang, the “Avenues” that Washington had also grown to respect. Washington was not alone in his reverence of the Black Panthers & Avenues. Along with some other boys within the Fremont High School District, the “Baby Avenues” took on the nickname “Cribs.” The small group was growing, slowly organizing other like-minded members throughout South Central Los Angeles. The East Side and Compton “Cribs” intended to become community leaders who also fiercely protected their neighborhoods. Almost immediately following the rise of the “Cribs” other similar organizations began to clash with this fledgling group of teenage boys. This was primarily due to the immaturity of the groups’ leaders and their inability to institute their proposed world-view. This did not prevent the group from gaining popularity. In 1972, after a name change, 8 “Crib” neighborhoods could be identified. By 1978, that number grew to over 40. The “Cribs” identified themselves by carrying canes as they patrolled and loitered within their claimed neighborhoods. This distinguishing trait earned the group a new moniker, thereby evolving

With the number of gangs in their known areas of activity, specific data sets are hard to come by when determining which gang was responsible for the violence. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, a 2008 determined that between 1992 and 2008, only 5% of violent crime victims were able to determine that the offender was affiliated with a gang. ("Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS)") In addition, 4 out of 10 victims didn’t know whether or not the perpetrator was even gang affiliated. This could be directly related to the fear of reprisal for “snitching” to the authorities and skewing the numbers. Arming yourself with the knowledge of gang indicators is more than likely the best way to avoid interactions with violent gang members. The City of Stockton Website has published specific gang indicators in order to protect their population. ("Family Services") The city warns of “increased graffiti” as a tell-tale sign of increased gang activity. Also, a noted increase in violent crime, unknown individuals loitering in the neighborhood and spikes in drug activity are noted indicators of rising gang influence. Other indicators include individuals dressing the same and wearing matching colors, such as the colors indicated earlier in the report. “Crip” related graffiti will distinguish itself by being associated primarily with the number 6, such as a 6 pointed star or crown and will also be done in