Difference Between Bloods And Crips Street Gangs

Bloods Gang

The Bloods are a primarily African-American street gang founded in Los Angeles, California  that is involved in drugs, theft, and murder, among other criminal activities. The predominantly African American gang is traditionally associated with Color red. It is nationally known for its rivalry with the Crips.

The gang was formed in the early 1970s as the Crips spread throughout Los Angeles. Various gangs—notably those around Piru Street—refused to join the Crips and instead banded together for protection. Within this loose alliance, many of the gangs remained independent, and infighting was not uncommon. However, they were united in their opposition to the Crips. They eventually took the name Bloods and adopted the color red to distinguish from the Crips’ blue. Members of the Bloods also embraced other unique identifiers, including various hand signs and physical markings, notably a “dog paw” tattoo or brand—three circles often made from the heated barrel of a gun—that is sometimes called Triple Os.

During the 1970s, the Bloods began to expand throughout Los Angeles, though their numbers were significantly less than those of the Crips. This contributed to the Bloods becoming particularly aggressive in their recruitment, and they developed a reputation for violence. Like their rivals, the Bloods began to focus on drugs with the rise of crack cocaine in the 1980s. The shift helped the gang spread beyond California.

What You Need To Know About Bloods

  • Bloods gang was found in 1972 when Small Street gangs came together, headed by the Piru street boys, in Piru, Compton.
  • The bloods gang was formed with the main aim of fighting against influence of the Crips.
  • When it comes to color coding, bloods generally use color red.  
  • Bloods graffiti have a pentagram. Some bloods graffiti contain Piru, the birth place of bloods.
  • Bloods generally do not have a better organization and network.
  • They are ferocious and more violent.
  • Bloods use the call sign ‘blood’ to refer to any fellow blood member and replace c with b.
  • Bloods is estimated to be having a membership of between 19, 500 to 29,000. In the east coast, the united blood nation, another form of bloods are dominant among African-American gangs.
  • The members of the Bloods are mainly African-Americans, but there are also Latinos, whites and Asian-Americans.
  • Involved in drug trafficking, robbery, murder, burglary, extortion, prostitution and theft.
  • Bloods’ Rivals include: Crips, Folk Nation, Gangster Disciples and La Raza Nation
  • Bloods’ allies include: Hover Criminals, The Avenues, Netas and People Nation.

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Crips Gang

The Crips is an alliance of street gangs which is based in the coastal regions of southern California. It was founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1969, mainly by Raymond Washington and Stanley Williams. The group, which is largely African American, is traditionally associated with the color blue. The Crips are one of the largest and most violent associations of street gangs in the United States. With an estimated 29,000 to 37,000 members in 2020. The Crips gained national attention for their bitter rivalry with the Bloods.

Crops was founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1969, mainly by Raymond Washington and Stanley Williams. In the 1980s the Crips became more focused on drugs, especially crack cocaine, and the gang eventually formed alliances with Mexican cartels.While cocaine and marijuana provided the majority of its income, the Crips were also involved in auto theft, robbery, and carjacking.

The gang’s origins are disputed. According to some reports, Stanley (“Tookie”) Williams and Raymond Washington, both high schoolers in Los Angeles, founded the Crips in 1971 for protection from gang violence. Others claim that Washington, inspired by the Black Panthers, formed a political group in 1969 that evolved into a street gang. It was initially called Cribs, a possible reference to how young its members were or based on crib’s slang meaning, “home.” Soon, however, the gang became known as the Crips.

Numerous explanations have been offered for the revised name. Some claim it is a mispronunciation of Cribs, while others suggest it is an amalgamation of Cribs and RIP (rest in peace), representing members’ involvement from birth to death. A third explanation is that Crips is short for cripple, a reference to the fact that some of the early members used canes or that they crippled their enemies.

The Crips were well-known for their rivalry with the Bloods—even though infighting caused three times more deaths. In an effort to distingush between the gang members, the Crips began wearing blue clothing or other items, while the Bloods became associated with red. In addition, Crips members often wore British Knights shoes. Their rivalry infiltrated pop culture, inspiring songs and movies.

What You Need To Know About Crips Gang

  • Crips gang is an older set founded in 1969 by Raymond Lee Washington and Stanley Tookie Williams in South Central Los Angeles.
  • The Crips was formed with the main aim of bringing to an end the increasing level of police harassment of the African-American community.
  • When it comes color coding, Crips generally use color blue.
  • Crips graffiti contain a Star of David.
  • Crips are better organized and form better networks.
  • They are less violent.
  • Crips cutout the b letter with a cross and avoid using letter B words mostly.
  • Crips gang is estimated to be having a membership of approximately 29,000 and 37,000 in 2020. In the west coast, Crips outnumber bloods.
  • The members of the Crips are primarily African-Americans.
  • The Allies of Crips include: Folk Nation, Gangster Disciples, La Raza Nation, Black Guerrilla Family and Juggalos.
  • Crips’ rivals include: Bloods, Hover Criminals, The Avenues, Netas and People Nation.
  • Involved in drug trafficking, robbery, murder, burglary, extortion, prostitution and theft.

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Difference Between Bloods And Crips In Tabular Fom

BASIS OF COMPARISON BLOODS GANG CRIPS GANG  
Description Bloods gang was found in 1972 when Small Street gangs came together, headed by the Piru street boys, in Piru, Compton.   Crips gang is an older set founded in 1969 by Raymond Lee Washington and Stanley Tookie Williams in South Central Los Angeles.  
Aim of Formation The bloods gang was formed with the main aim of fighting against influence of the Crips.   The Crips was formed with the main aim of bringing to an end the increasing level of police harassment of the African-American community.  
Color Coding When it comes to color coding, bloods generally use color red.     When it comes color coding, Crips generally use color blue.  
Graffiti Bloods generally do not have a better organization and network.   Crips graffiti contain a Star of David.  
Organization  Bloods generally do not have a better organization and network.     Crips are better organized and form better networks.  
Violence They are ferocious and more violent.   They are less violent.  
Words Bloods use the call sign ‘blood’ to refer to any fellow blood member and replace c with b.   Crips cutout the b letter with a cross and avoid using letter B words mostly.  
Numbers Bloods is estimated to be having a membership of between 19, 500 to 29,000. Crips gang is estimated to be having a membership of approximately 29,000 and 37,000 in 2020.  
Membership The members of the Bloods are mainly African-Americans, but there are also Latinos, whites and Asian-Americans.   The members of the Crips are primarily African-Americans.  
Activities Involved in drug trafficking, robbery, murder, burglary, extortion, prostitution and theft.   Involved in drug trafficking, robbery, murder, burglary, extortion, prostitution and theft.  

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