Tag: Prison Gangs: Page 4

Special Units
Interpreting Gangster Clothing
Have you ever wondered why gang members wear the ridiculous costumes that they do? Why do they wear their pants sagging below their butts exposing their underwear? There's actually a company that stitches boxer-type underwear into the baggy pants to achieve the baggy pants clown look. POLICE gang expert Richard Valdemar explains the information to be learned from gangster clothing. Valdemar provided the images.
February 3, 2010
In the 1970s, Black gangsters wore three-piece suits, three-quarter length trench coats, brimmed hats and wide collars. They dressed 'a cut above' the rest.
Gangs
The Gang Arms Race
Thousands of surplus military fragmentation grenades and rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) were left over from the Central American civil wars. Corrupt military suppliers, communist governments, and weapons dealers are other sources for arms traffickers offering grenades and RPGs on the black market.
August 27, 2009
Special Units
White Gang Tattoos
The Aryan Brotherhood, which is also known as "AB" or "The Brand," is a primarily white prison gang with about 15,000 members in and out of prison. According to the FBI, the gang makes up only one percent of the prison population, but is responsible for 18 percent of all murders in the federal corrections system. Members use symbols in their tattoos such as swastikas, SS lightning bolts, the number 666, and Celtic imagery.
August 7, 2009
The Aryan Brotherhood is a prison gang consisting of primarily white members. 'AB' members ordinarily wear numerous and varied body tattoos, but the true AB tattoo is a shamrock, the letters AB and three sixes. Tattoos of the swastika, a picture of a bluebird and of double lighting bolts are also used to identify Aryan Brotherhood members. In many ways AB is a white supremacist gang with Nazi leanings, however, it is not to be confused with groups like Aryan Nations or the Klan. For AB, money and power are more important than racist ideology. One of the leaders of the gang is Jewish; there are also Hispanic and biracial members.
Special Units
Prison and Gang Ink Symbols
In addition to advertising gang membership, tattoos provide other details about the bearer.  For the incarcerated, images of chains and locks represent the loss of freedom; an hourglass or clock face without hands indicate doing time; a string of numbers may be an inmate's prison ID; one laughing face, one crying face means play now, pay later or my happy life, my sad life; a tombstone with numbers may indicate years of incarceration; the face of a female crying usually means someone on the outside is waiting for them. Caption information provided by POLICE gang expert Richard Valdemar.
August 7, 2009
This tattoo of a prison tower, hour glass, and prisoner breaking out of the prison wall signifies this person has done prison time.
Special Units
Latino Gang Tattoos
Tattoos are an excellent tool for law enforcement and corrections officers to use to identify known or suspected gang members. This gallery includes examples of tattoos worn by predominanly Latino gangs such as the Mexican Mafia, MS-13, and the Latin Kings. The number "13" is used because M (or La Eme) is the thirteenth letter of the alphabet and is used to signify the Mexican Mafia, which uses Sureños—gangs that swear allegiance to the Mexican Mafia—to carry out its orders from prison.
August 5, 2009
The Mexican Mafia prison gang, also known as La Eme, was formed in the late 1950s by members of a Chicano street gang incarcerated at the Deuel Vocational Institution in Tracy, Calif. The initial founding member was Luis 'Huero Buff' Flores, who was previously a member of the Hawaiian Gardens gang. Mexican Mafia symbols include a black hand, the letters 'MM' or the term La Eme.
Gangs
Gang Members Practice Their Skills
One at a time each of the three targets got out of the vehicle, walked in a big circle around the McDonald’s, went inside, only to return to the vehicle with a small drink. Then the next target did the exact same thing. Finally the third did the same. In tactical police terminology this is a clue that they were casing the McDonalds before robbing it.
July 29, 2009
Ronald 'Slow' Slocum is taken into custody by a federal anti-gang task force. He was indicted under the RICO statute.
Gangs
Keep Your Word to Gang Members, Even If It Causes You Pain
An expert should be a credible proponent of the truth, and not an advocate for either the prosecution or the defense. Because of what we do and our knowledge of gangs, 95 percent of the time this will benefit the prosecution, but on occasion our knowledge and experience might benefit the defense.
July 26, 2009
Special Units
NJ Corrections Losing Ground Against Prison Gangs
New Jersey corrections investigators say they're losing ground in the fight against prison gangs, because they lack the manpower and funding, the Star-Ledger reports.
July 19, 2009
Special Units
Black Gang Tattoos
Gang members are usually decorated with the marking of their sets, super-gangs, and affiliated prison gangs. Their bodies are also often marked with tattoos that are generic prison symbols that you will find on just about any inmate. The following slide show is a quick look at some tattoos used by some predominately African-American gangs with origins in California.
June 29, 2009
The Black Guerrilla Family is a prison gang founded in 1966 by Black Panther George Jackson, while he was in San Quentin State Prison north of San Francisco. The gang is ideologically based with the stated goal of ending racism and overthrowing the U.S. government. The most obvious BGF tattoo is 'BGF.' You will also see the numbers '276,' with 2 representing 'B,' 7 representing 'G,' and 6 representing 'F.'
Special Units
10 Houston Gang Suspects Nabbed in Federal Drug Case
Ten suspected members of the so-called Houstone street gang, a local prison gang offshoot, are in custody and authorities announced Wednesday they are seeking four more men on federal drug dealing conspiracy charges that could lead to the forfeiture of $18 million in high-end cars, jewelry and cash.
January 21, 2009
Special Units
Shots Fired: Ogden, Utah 05-26-2006
Sgt. Burnett had worn the vest religiously throughout his career, but on this day he told his wife that for the first time he would go to work without it. She wasn't happy with his decision.
July 31, 2008
L Shots Fired 9
Gangs
History of the Mexican Mafia Prison Gang
It is rare for law enforcement to have an opportunity to hear from the mind of one who lived it. Today, Mundo (with a new identity) continues to assist law enforcement to understand how criminal organizations operate.
July 24, 2007
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