"L.S. Style" — A Street Gang Manual

Los Santos County Sheriff's Department. Revised: April 24, 1997.

Contents

• Chapter I — Sociology of Gangs
• Chapter II — Hispanic Gangs
• Chapter III — African American Gangs
• Chapter IV — Asian Gangs
• Chapter V — Miscellaneous Gangs
• Chapter VI — Female Gangs
• Departmental Approach to Street Gangs

Chapter I — Sociology of Gangs

Introduction

Street gangs have existed in Los Santos County since the turn of the century. In 1990, over 1,300 street gangs with an estimated membership in excess of 100,000 were active in Los Santos County. Los Santos County is ethnically divided into three basic types of street gangs: Hispanic, Black, and Asian.

Over the past three decades, gang violence escalated at an alarming rate. In 1995, 807 persons died as a result of gang violence, and gang-related deaths account for nearly 50% of all homicides in Los Santos County. Today's gangs are well armed with sophisticated weaponry. No other criminal entity presents a more clear and present danger to the citizens of this county than street gangs.

Sociology of the Street Gang

Two of the most common reasons youth join gangs are the breakdown of the family as a cohesive unit and desperate poverty. A map of the gang areas of Los Santos overlays almost identically a poverty map of the same area.

The Los Santos County Sheriff's Department defines a street gang as: "A gang is a group of three or more persons who have a common identifying sign, symbol or name, or whose members individually or collectively engage in or have engaged in a pattern of criminal activity creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation within the community."

Recruitment. Youth join gangs for a variety of reasons: economic deprivation and poverty; peer group pressure and social belonging; protection against rival gangs; family tradition growing up in a gang neighborhood; imaginary riches from narcotics trafficking. The transformation of a youth into a gang member involves a slow assimilation. The process of becoming an official member is called "jumping in," or alternatively "courted in," where the recruit is simply accepted without a formal rite of passage.

Causative Factors. Racism played an early and important role in the formation of street gangs in San Andreas. The family structure is also a primary factor. Common threads found in families of hard-core gang members include: racial minority status and government assistance dependence; absent or negative male authority figures; minimal adult supervision; parents who are gang graduates themselves; non-English-speaking immigrant parents who lose control of rapidly Americanizing children.

What Is Gang Activity? Gang members use the term "banging" or "gang banging" to describe general gang activity. Gang activity on school campuses is evidenced by vandalism, arson, graffiti, stabbings, shootings, student extortion, and teacher intimidation. A gang member views his "neighborhood" as synonymous with his gang turf, not the broader community. The greeting "Where are you from?" has become the challenge of the street, and violence may well follow.

Gang Communication. Street gangs communicate through several methods:

• Graffiti ("Placasos"/"Placa"): marks territorial boundaries and challenges rivals. Unchallenged graffiti affirms gang control. A crossed-out rival's graffiti (a "puto mark") indicates contested territory.
• Hand Signs: face-to-face identification and challenge. Flashing signs between rivals frequently escalates into violence.
• Style of Dress: general gang-type clothing indicating membership, or specific clothing identifying a particular gang by name or color.
• Tattoos: traditional Latin gangs use tattoos extensively, marking gang name and affiliation on visible areas of the body. African-American gang members are less inclined toward gang tattoos.

Gangster Rap Music. An outgrowth of the hip-hop culture, originating in New York City in the early 1970s. Seven primary themes dominate: glorification of the gang lifestyle and mentality; violence directed at society and police; racism; psychotic/psychopathic personality; sexual stereotyping; misogyny; female response to male sexism. Four secondary aspects: liberal use of racial epithets, boastful geographic claims ("representing"), use of metaphors, and dual recordings (clean and street versions).

Member Classifications:

• Hard-Core Member: actively promotes and participates in the gang's criminal activity. Most frequently arrested. The gang has often supplanted this individual's family entirely.
• Affiliate or Associate Member: actively identifies as a gang member but is not generally involved in heavy violence.
• Peripheral Gang Member ("wannabe"): younger person on the fringe of the gang structure, not normally involved in criminal activity but ripe for recruitment.

Identification of Gang Members. The LSSD requires a minimum of two of the following criteria before placing an individual in the Cal/Gangs gang file: individual admits membership in a gang; a reliable source or informant identifies the individual as a gang member; an untested informant identifies the individual, corroborated by independent information; individual resides in or frequents a gang area, affects gang style of dress, hand signs, symbols, tattoos, or maintains ongoing relationships with known gang members, with documented reasonable suspicion of gang involvement; individual is arrested in the company of identified gang members for offenses consistent with gang activity.

Relationship of Prison Gangs to Street Gangs. Street gang members are the future raw material for prison gangs. Prison gang philosophy often differs sharply from street gang philosophy — in prison gangs, internal disputes may be settled by murder, whereas killing a fellow street gang member is generally alien to street gang culture. A notable development is the growing influence of the Mexican Mafia (La EME) over Southern San Andreas street gangs, including imposing taxation on drug sales and issuing edicts such as the prohibition of drive-by shootings in the early 1990s.

Chapter II — Hispanic Gangs

Hispanic gangs have existed in Los Santos County since the early years of the 20th century. They are very traditional and approach gang involvement as a "way of life." Codes of conduct called "movidas" have been passed down through generations. Chicano gangs are now into their third or fourth generation.

The two most prominent and active Hispanic street gang organizations operating within Los Santos County are the Varrios Los Aztecas and the Los Santos Vagos. Both are considered primary enforcement priorities for the Safe Streets Bureau and assigned Gang Enforcement Teams.

Varrios Los Aztecas

• Primary Territory: El Corona, Little Mexico, Unity Station area, South Los Santos.
• Identifying Color: Turquoise.
• Criminal Activity: Arms trafficking, street violence, illegal street racing, controlled narcotics sales, extortion.

Traces origins to the early 1960s in Little Mexico and El Corona, originally a community solidarity group formed by Mexican immigrant families in response to economic hardship, discrimination, and encroachment by outside criminal elements. The transition to street gang is dated to 1967, when a founding figure was killed during a failed negotiation with a rival organization — turquoise was adopted in his commemoration.

Through the 1970s–1980s, the Aztecas consolidated control over El Corona, Little Mexico, and the Unity Station corridor, developing a distinctive Aztec-themed cultural identity; lowrider culture became central to operations, with garages and chop shops serving as meeting locations, income sources, and identity expressions. By the early 1990s the Aztecas were fully established with documented arms trafficking and narcotics distribution, though they have historically avoided large-scale hard narcotics trafficking.

Primary rivalry: Los Santos Vagos (sustained, repeated violent incidents throughout South Los Santos). Documented, less-sustained tensions with Ballas sets near Idlewood. Mid-1990s internal fragmentation from law enforcement pressure and leadership attrition; current leadership emphasizes organizational discipline and territorial protection over large-scale narcotics expansion. Prior cartel connections are assessed as a potential but uncertain resource.

Identifiers: turquoise clothing/rags/accessories; Aztec-themed tattoos/symbolism; lowrider vehicles with hydraulics and custom paint; graffiti bearing "VLA," "Aztecas," or Aztec warrior imagery; congregation around garages/chop shops/automotive businesses in El Corona.

Los Santos Vagos

• Primary Territory: East and northeast Los Santos, East Los Santos corridor.
• Identifying Color: Yellow.
• Criminal Activity: Narcotics trafficking (crack cocaine, marijuana), street violence, robbery, extortion, gang-related homicide, vandalism.

Formed during the 1970s–1980s from communities with significant Chicano/Latin American immigrant populations. Broader geographic footprint than the Aztecas and greater willingness to operate across jurisdictional lines; narcotics-based enterprise, crack cocaine a significant revenue stream, with distribution networks extending beyond home territory.

Total-war rivalry with the Aztecas (primary conflict). Hostile toward Families-affiliated gangs; volatile relationship with Ballas at street level. Rivalry with the San Fierro Rifa (pre-~1992) substantially reduced since, both organizations prioritizing shared narcotics interests over territorial competition.

Subject to a county gang injunction that disrupted overt street operations; formerly active subsets (Alley Locos, Swan Lake Gangsters) assessed as defunct. The East Los Vago clique is the current operational face, combining veteran holdovers and new recruits.

Identifiers: yellow clothing/rags/accessories; graffiti bearing "LSV," "Vagos," or "ELV"; congregation in eastern residential corridors and commercial strips; narcotics distribution activity in the east side.

San Fierro Rifa — Los Santos Presence

• Primary Territory (Los Santos): East Beach; transitioning to Los Colinas as of 1996–1997.
• Identifying Color: Grey/silver.
• Criminal Activity: Narcotics trafficking, smuggling, port-related criminal operations, enforcement for the Loco Syndicate.

Originating in the Garcia and Ocean Flats neighborhoods of San Fierro (early 1970s), established a Los Santos presence in the early 1990s as an operational extension of the Loco Syndicate. The Los Santos clique operated from East Beach, using proximity to port infrastructure for smuggling routes and cargo operations; functioned as a disciplined enforcement/distribution unit under San Fierro command rather than a traditional neighborhood gang.

Following the death of senior Syndicate figure T-Bone Mendez, the clique's narcotics pipeline was severely disrupted, causing a period of contraction. Current intelligence indicates stabilization under restructured local leadership and relocation from East Beach to Los Colinas, citing law enforcement pressure and Vagos encroachment.

Documented alliance with the Kilo Tray Ballas targeting the Vagos and other shared rivals — assessed as transactional, not loyalty-based. Does not conform to the typical neighborhood street gang profile: expect higher organizational discipline, greater operational awareness, and potential access to Syndicate-level resources.

Reasons for Joining (Hispanic Gangs, General)

Belonging (low self-esteem drives identity/acceptance search); Identity (a moniker sets the member apart from mainstream society); Lifestyle (the "vato loco" philosophy is central to Chicano gang culture).

Drugs

Preferences vary by organization/age: older "veteranos" tend toward heroin; younger members favor marijuana, crack cocaine, methamphetamine. PCP use documented but declining. Vagos show significant crack involvement; Aztecas have historically avoided large-scale hard narcotics (assessment under ongoing review).

Style of Dress

Traditional: heavily starched khaki pants worn high, Pendleton shirts buttoned at the collar, military-style sliding belt buckles bearing gang initials. Modern: oversized Levis, T-shirts, football jerseys, Starter Jackets, baseball caps. Identifying colors as accessories: turquoise (Aztecas), yellow (Vagos), grey/silver (Rifa).

Language

Most Chicano gang members are second/third generation Americans using "calo," a slang combining Spanish and English.

Monikers

Moniker	Meaning	Moniker	Meaning
Chato	Nose	Maton	Killer
Gordo	Fat	Pelon	Bald
Flaco	Skinny	Oso	Bear
Toro	Bull	Pata	Feet

Gang Structure

Leadership is not formally recognized across most Hispanic sets. Chicano gangs function as one organization with many age-based "cliques." Gang names typically carry geographical significance. Unlike the broader model, the San Fierro Rifa operates with a more defined command hierarchy answering to San Fierro-based figures.

Graffiti

"Placasos" or "placa" — not mere vandalism, but a proclamation of gang status and territorial control.

Miscellaneous

Hispanic street gangs are divided along Northern/Southern San Andreas lines:

• Surenos (Southerners): south of the Bone County divide. Sympathize with the Mexican Mafia (La EME). Use "13"/"Sur-13." The Aztecas and Vagos broadly fall within this alignment.
• Nortenos (Northerners): north of that line. Aligned with the Nuestra Familia / Northern Structure. Use "14."

Additional organizations operating within/adjacent to Los Santos: the Border Brothers (a prison-based grouping of recent Mexican nationals) and Mara Salvatrucha (MS) (documented cliques across Central America and the eastern seaboard).

Chapter III — African American Gangs

Dominated by two rival factions, the Ballas and the Families, both tracing origins to inner-city South Los Santos in the late 1960s/early 1970s. Their rivalry is one of the longest-running and most lethal ongoing gang conflicts in the county.

The Ballas comprise multiple sets united under purple; primary operations center on narcotics trafficking (particularly crack cocaine). The Families comprise multiple independent sets united under green, historically more fragmented, trending increasingly toward narcotics involvement.

The Ballas

• Primary Territory: East and West Los Santos — Rollin Heights, Kelly Park, Glen Park, Idlewood, Willowfield, Temple, Market.
• Identifying Color: Purple (shade/secondary colors vary by set).
• Criminal Activity: Narcotics trafficking (crack cocaine, kilogram-level), arms trafficking, prostitution, gang-related homicide, robbery, vandalism, kidnapping, enforcement operations.

Originated mid-1970s; purple selected to represent royalty, luxury, wealth. Four documented sets: Rollin Heights Ballas, Kilo Tray Ballas, Front Yard Ballas, Temple Drive Ballas — each with territorial autonomy under the shared umbrella. Set-specific color variations (dark purple/black — Kilo Trays; bright purple/hot pink — Temple Drive) distinguish sets during field contacts.

Narcotics (crack cocaine) is the primary revenue stream, historically funding superior weapons versus Families rivals. Kilo Tray Ballas show the highest organizational discipline, with a documented alliance with the San Fierro Rifa and prior Loco Syndicate ties. Rollin Heights Ballas are the most established/publicly visible, having survived a significant interdiction (24 senior members arrested) before reconstituting. Front Yard Ballas expanded aggressively into Idlewood at Families' expense. Temple Drive Ballas operate low-profile on the West Side, recently reconstituting after a 1990 Department enforcement action.

Inter-Ballas set tensions are documented — do not assume uniform cooperation between sets. Active rivalry with the Families; documented conflicts with the Aztecas, Vagos, and other competing organizations.

The Families

• Primary Territory: South and West Los Santos — Ganton, Playa Del Seville, Willowfield, Temple, Market, Alondra Gardens.
• Identifying Color: Green (shade varies by set).
• Criminal Activity: Street violence, gang-related homicide, arms trafficking, robbery, vehicle theft, weapons offenses, narcotics (varies by set), smuggling-related operations.

An umbrella designation with roots in the historical Orange Grove Families alliance, since fragmented into independent sets with varying inter-set affiliation. Four documented sets: Grove Street Families, Seville Boulevard Families, Temple Drive Families, 516 Hu$tler Families (now the Alondra Block Hu$tlaz).

Grove Street Families are among the oldest documented sets and maintain a notable organizational prohibition against narcotics trafficking, a financial disadvantage relative to narcotics-funded rivals but still in effect. Seville Boulevard Families are the most operationally independent, with territory adjacent to Ocean Docks providing port-adjacent smuggling/weapons involvement. Temple Drive Families are engaged in escalating conflict with the Temple Drive Ballas as both reconstitute in the same geographic area. The 516 Hu$tler Families (Alondra Block Hu$tlaz) are the smallest, most recently displaced set, reestablished in Alondra Gardens after losing their original Miranda Flats stronghold.

More fragmented in structure than the Ballas. Documented inter-set rivalries (most notably the late-1980s Seville Boulevard/Grove Street conflict, since reconciled). Despite internal fragmentation, sets generally present a unified posture against external threats, particularly the Ballas.

Reasons and Types of Membership (African American Gangs, General)

Peer group pressure, identity, financial gain, protection. Levels: Shot Caller (leader-type directing violence/operations, older, respected through past conduct); Active Member (in the main flow of criminal activity, younger, building reputation); Associate (aware of/promotes activity, not directly involved).

Initiation typically "jumped in" (fighting two or more members, 15–60 seconds). Leaving ("jumped out"/"courted out") follows a similar process; many simply relocate to exit.

Ages

Prior to 1977–1978, members were typically 13–17 and left upon adulthood. Since ~1978, members increasingly remain into adulthood and retain membership after release from prison. Today, members may be as young as 8–9 or as old as 40.

Hierarchy

No single person controls the broader Ballas or Families. The "shot caller" within a set is typically the member with the greatest financial resources, most visible criminal reputation, and strongest peer respect. Sets subdivide into age-based groupings: 10–16, 16–20, 20–30, 30–40.

Identifying Characteristics

• Colors: Ballas — purple (set-specific variations); Families — green (shade varies by set). Reflected in headgear, earrings, shoelaces, handkerchiefs, belts, bandanas.
• Terminology: "OG" (Original Gangster), "set" (gang), "hood" (neighborhood), "gat" (firearm), "G-ride" (stolen car), "cluckhead" (crack cocaine user), "shot caller" (leadership figure).
• Hand Signs ("Flashing"): varies by set — document observed signs for intelligence purposes.
• Graffiti: gang name, monikers, slain members' names, slogans. "RIP" markings denote fallen members. Ballas graffiti typically purple; Families graffiti typically green.
• Tattoos: gang name, moniker, slain members' names — often applied by Hispanic gang members known for intricate tattoo work.

Enemies

The Ballas and Families are primary rivals. Individual Ballas sets also conflict with Hispanic gangs (particularly Vagos and Aztecas); inter-Ballas tensions are documented. Inter-Families rivalry is also documented (most significant historical example: Seville Boulevard vs. Grove Street, late 1980s).

Female Membership

Females play an extremely minor role in African American gang sets; rare to be formally "jumped in." Primarily utilized to hold weapons/narcotics (less frequently searched by male officers). Female subjects at gang locations should not be dismissed as non-participants.

Narcotics

Ballas and Seville Boulevard Families began large-scale cocaine ("rock"/"crack") trafficking in the early 1980s; distribution expanded to other cities/states as profits increased. Grove Street Families maintain a documented prohibition against narcotics trafficking. Common trafficking identifiers for members operating outside home territory: expensive sweat suit with no gang colors displayed; age typically 20–25; often accompanied by a female; almost always carrying no identification; large sums of cash and expensive jewelry; closely cut or well-groomed hair; business conducted from local motel rooms.

Chapter IV — Asian Gangs

Frequently termed "non-traditional." Primarily motivated by financial profit, maintain national/international ties, enforce rigid membership behavior codes, and prioritize secrecy/anonymity from law enforcement. Acts of violence are less random and less frequent than with traditional gangs.

Territory/Turf: defined by victim population (typically the same ethnic group) rather than fixed geographic boundaries; does not recognize municipal lines.

Identification: average age 16–25 (range 10–40+). Clothing follows current fashion (baggy, fatigues, or college student look). Tattoos often symbols of power (dragons, tigers, eagles); cigarette burn scars are common but not universal identifiers (initiation, fight victory, or rank — typically hands, wrists, forearms, lower legs).

Graffiti: of minor significance — serves no purpose in achieving monetary motives or maintaining a low profile.

Filipino Gangs

Grew out of immigration increases in the late 1970s/early 1980s. Youth initially adopted the "Barkada" social grouping system, evolving into gang formation for self-protection and retaliation. Have adopted the dress, language, and criminal methods of both African American and Hispanic gangs. Vehicles: newer lowered Japanese imports, tinted windows, sound systems. Weapons: escalated from knives/clubs to shotguns, rifles, handguns. Graffiti: similar to African American/Hispanic styles; monikers may be fantasy/cartoon-based (Sinbad, Aladdin) or gangster-era names (Capone, Trigger).

Chinese Gangs

United Bamboo (Mandarin-speaking, Taiwan origin): umbrella of ~20 gangs with ~40,000 members in Taiwan, active in Los Santos, preying primarily on Taiwanese immigrants. Wah Ching (Cantonese): active in San Andreas, Washington, and Canada, known for extortion and drug trafficking, noted for particular violence.

Vietnamese Gangs

Involved in welfare fraud, auto theft, commercial burglaries, extortion. Increasingly sophisticated in extortion; robbery nearly always planned in advance with knowledge of money/jewelry at the target location — lookouts posted, victims restrained, suspects prepared to engage police. Prefer high-quality firearms including AR-15s and UZI submachine guns.

Korean Gangs

Limited information available. Activities believed similar to Chinese/Vietnamese gangs. A suspected nationwide organization is believed to exploit young Korean and Vietnamese women through prostitution.

Japanese Organized Crime (Yakuza)

Members have invested in U.S. businesses for at least 20 years to launder illegally earned capital. Los Santos-area interests: import/export, real estate, oil leases, night clubs, restaurants, tour agencies. At least three Yakuza groups known active in the Los Santos area; activity also reported in San Fierro, Las Venturas, and Denver.

Chapter V — Miscellaneous Gangs

White Gangs

White youth expressing delinquent behavior typically do so individually rather than within a street gang structure; those who do join often join Hispanic or multi-racial gangs. Two primary categories: Skinheads and Stoners.

Skinheads. Began in England (late 1960s), arrived in the US by the mid-1980s. Two categories: Racist Skinheads (White Pride, White Power, White Supremacy/Nazi Skins — linked to KKK, White Aryan Resistance) and Non-Racist Skinheads (multi-racial, music/dress-oriented, still violence-prone).

Identifiers: shaved/closely cropped heads; Air Force-style flight jackets; dark Dickies or Levis rolled to expose boots; suspenders ("braces"); steel-toed "Doc Marten" boots. Tattoos: swastikas, lightning bolts, iron crosses, Confederate/Nazi/American flags, hooded Klansmen, phrases like "White Power"/"Sieg Heil," abbreviations SWP/WAR/KKK. Graffiti: anti-minority slogans, swastikas, lightning bolts, band names (Skrewdriver), abbreviations. Hand signs: Nazi salute; W/P for White Power; gang initials. Music: "Oi" music; Skrewdriver most prominent.

Stoner Gangs. Named for being consistently "stoned"; tend multi-racial (Mexican-American and White) in racially mixed neighborhoods. Dress red or black, heavy metal imagery, longer hair. Also known as Hessians, Hippies, Rockers, Loadies. Symbolism: occult/Satanic imagery, heavy metal orientation. Criminal activity: drug subculture (speed, LSD, rock cocaine, PCP), animal sacrifice, ritual crimes, graveyard/church desecrations. Elevated suicide rates.

Pacific Islander Gangs

Includes Samoans, Tongans, Fijians, Guamanians, Hawaiians, Filipinos. Samoan youth initially joined existing Mexican/Black gangs in Carson, then formed independent gangs as numbers grew. By the early 1980s, Pacific Islander gangs began aligning with Ballas or Families-affiliated sets. Families maintain a cultural obligation to house all family members, resulting in large multi-family households. Internal rivalries along ancient island feuds (Samoans vs. Tongans; Hawaiians vs. Samoans) and religious lines (Mormon vs. Catholic).

Tagger Crews

A tagger adopts a nickname ("tag") and writes it in as many places as possible; prefer "writers," "piecers," or "artists." Crew structure: typically 6–12 members (range 2–100+), led by the founder; females ~2% of membership. Targets: utility poles, traffic signals ("landmarks"), windows (etching), buses, freeways, railroad cars, rooftops, bridges. Methods: spray paint (Krylon preferred), felt-tip markers, "Meanstreak" crayon tubes, "Scribes" for etching glass — paraphernalia typically stolen ("racked"). Graffiti styles: highly stylized handwriting, intertwined letters, bubble lettering ("throw-ups"), elaborate murals ("pieces"). Many tagger crews evolve into full street gangs — tagging is a stepping stone for many investigators.

Midwestern Gangs (Folk & People Nations)

Chicago-style gangs identify with a specific nation/alliance, more organized than San Andreas counterparts with an identifiable chain of command.

• Folk Nation: Black Gangster Disciples, Gangster Disciples, Black Disciples, Latin Disciples, Spanish Cobras. Six-pointed Star of David (honoring founder David Barksdale), crossed pitchforks pointing upward. "Dress right." Ballas-affiliated sets typically align with Folk Nation when operating outside San Andreas.
• People Nation: founded in prison by Jeff Fort. Black P Stones, Latin Kings, Vice Lords, El Rukns. "Dress left." Symbols: pyramids, five-pointed stars, canes, crowns. Families-affiliated sets typically align with People Nation when operating outside San Andreas.

Chapter VI — Female Gangs

Females have been involved in Los Santos gangs since the early 1900s. By 1991, approximately 6,900 of the 102,000+ identified gang members in Los Santos County were female — an estimated 10–15% of the total active gang population.

Girls typically become involved between ages 11 and 18. By age 14–15, many are willing to carry out tasks for male gang members. Female involvement in violent crimes has been increasing steadily.

Race/Ethnic Differences

• Black females: more involved in drug trafficking, robbery, and sex crimes alongside male members — documented as weapons/narcotics carriers for Ballas and Families sets.
• Hispanic females: more turf-oriented, practice territorial domination similar to male counterparts — documented Azteca/Vagos involvement.
• Asian females: involved in property crimes, extortion, commercial robbery — often operate independently.
• White females: tied to gangs primarily through relationships, money, or drugs — considered tag-alongs rather than full members.

Independent Female Gangs

Most female gang members belong to cliques or offshoots of male-dominated gangs. Truly independent female gangs are rare, most commonly found in Asian communities — at least 27 female Asian gangs with 10–20 members each have been identified.

Why Join?

Troubled childhood/dysfunctional family (incest, abuse, addiction, death); peer approval and identity; access to money and drugs; protection from rival neighborhoods and school violence; family tradition; social excitement and belonging.

Initiation

Most common: "jumping in" (beaten by existing female members, 60 seconds to 5 minutes). A prospective member may "walk in" if from a well-known family or already proven. Alternatively, sent on a criminal "mission" to prove loyalty.

Leaving the Gang

Requires gang approval. Honorable departures (education, employment, family) may be allowed with a "walk out" or formal "jump out." Dishonorable departures can result in severe injury or, rarely, death.

Structure/Organization

Mirror the clique structure of male gangs, divided by age, sex, geography. Leadership informal — influential members call meetings, the group votes or makes suggestions collectively.

• Hispanic cliques: age-divided (e.g., "Las Locas," "Tiny Locas"). Moving up between cliques still requires initiation.
• Black females: mixed with male members, not typically in separate cliques, considered family by the set.
• Asian females: structured similarly to Hispanic cliques, increasingly forming gangs independent of male counterparts.

Appearance

Hispanic female members typically wear dark clothing (Pendletons, khaki or Levi pants), bandanas, heavy dark facial makeup. Distinctive identifier: the "chola band" — a thick black rubber band worn from the middle finger across the hand and around the wrist, symbolizing marriage to the "Varrio." Common tattoos: gang affiliation, monikers, three dots in a pyramid ("Mi Vida Loca"), teardrops beneath the lower eyelid.

Black female members dress variably — some in male-style attire, most in ordinary clothing with color accessories (hair ornaments, belts, shoes, nail polish) in purple or green identifying affiliation.

Asian female members tend toward short black leather skirts, spiked heels, black stockings; some gangs maintain signature accessories (e.g., the "Dirty Punks" always wear red spike heels).

Conclusion/Recommendation

Female involvement in gang activity is increasing, and the severity of offenses is growing. Law enforcement must treat female gang members with the same seriousness as male members:

• Document all female gang contacts via field interview cards and statistical reporting.
• Avoid assuming females present at gang locations are non-members or unarmed.
• Apply prevention programs that address school and home environments early, emphasizing one-on-one engagement.
• Recognize that female gang veterans over 20 commonly express regret and were often recruited under family or peer pressure with no visible alternatives.

Departmental Approach to Street Gangs

Mission Statement

The mission of the Sheriff's Department is to take a leadership role in reducing gang violence and impacting the quality of life in neighborhoods through the persistent application of innovative law enforcement techniques, based on ethical practices and strategies that endorse extensive prevention, intervention, and suppression techniques aligning the energies of families, schools, neighborhoods, and law enforcement agencies.

Operation Safe Streets (OSS)

A program of selective enforcement targeting hard-core gangs while discouraging followers from continuing in gang activity. Originally funded in January 1979, now a permanent Departmental function with more than 70 Sheriff's personnel assigned on a permanent, non-uniformed basis. Investigates crimes committed by targeted street gangs; works with probation, parole, and district attorneys to prosecute gang members; maintains the GREAT (Gang Reporting, Evaluation And Tracking) computer system.

Gang Investigators (OSSD)

Gang Investigators assigned to the Operation Safe Streets Detail develop and maintain intelligence on active street gangs and their members — identifying gang members, documenting gang activity, and developing information to support ongoing investigations and enforcement operations.

Gang Enforcement Teams (GET)

51 uniformed Sheriff's personnel in five teams, assigned to the most heavily gang-impacted station areas. Relieved of routine calls, GET teams respond exclusively to gang-involved incidents and patrol areas frequented by gang members.

Success Through Awareness and Resistance (STAR)

A law enforcement/school partnership targeting grades 4, 5, and 6. Deputies and school educators co-facilitate lessons focused on self-esteem, decision-making, and resistance to peer pressure. Operates in over 415 elementary schools across 54 school districts.

Community/Law Enforcement Partnership Program (CLEPP)

Developed in 1991 to mobilize communities against gangs, drugs, and violence. Coordinates law enforcement, schools, community organizations, churches, businesses, and local government. Responsibilities: coordinating the Department's Crime Prevention and Community Relations programs; facilitating the City/Town Council Academy (held twice yearly); providing community mobilization expertise to station commanders; assisting stations in developing and coordinating anti-gang efforts; reviewing and evaluating community-based organizations seeking Department support.