California is home to some of the busiest and most well-known cities in the U.S., but it also has some of the most dangerous gangs.
These criminal groups are involved in illegal activities like drug trafficking, extortion, robbery, and even murder, operating in different parts of the state. Here are five of the most dangerous gangs in California today.
MS-13
MS-13, also known as Mara Salvatrucha, is an international gang that started in Los Angeles in the 1980s. It was originally formed by Salvadoran immigrants who had fled the country’s civil war.
Over time, the gang expanded to other regions, including Central America, Europe, and Australia.
MS-13 is known for its brutal violence, often using machetes and other deadly weapons. The gang is involved in human trafficking, kidnapping, and drug smuggling.
In the U.S., it has around 10,000 members, with a strong presence in Southern California, especially in the San Fernando Valley and Pico-Union areas.
Nuestra Familia
Nuestra Familia, meaning “Our Family,” is a prison gang that originated in the late 1960s. It operates with a strict hierarchy, similar to a military organization, and enforces rigid rules among its members.
The gang controls much of the illegal activity in Northern California, particularly in rural areas and the Central Valley. It has had a long-standing rivalry with the Mexican Mafia, another powerful gang based in Orange County jails.
Nuestra Familia has about 2,000 members, both inside and outside of prison, and is closely linked to the Norteños gang.
Crips
The Crips is one of the largest and most well-known street gangs in the U.S. It was founded in Los Angeles in the late 1960s by Raymond Washington and Stanley Williams.
The gang consists of various sets, each with its leadership and territory.
Crips are identified by their use of the color blue, the letter “C,” and symbols related to the number 6. They are heavily involved in crimes like drug trafficking, theft, and murder.
The gang has an estimated 35,000 members in the U.S., with a strong presence in Los Angeles, Compton, Long Beach, and Inglewood.
Hells Angels
The Hells Angels motorcycle club was founded in 1948 by a group of World War II veterans. While it is considered a motorcycle club, law enforcement sees it as an outlaw gang due to its involvement in crimes like drug trafficking, extortion, racketeering, and murder.
Members of the Hells Angels are recognizable by their red and white colors, the letter “A,” and their signature skull logo.
The gang has about 2,500 members in the U.S., with a strong presence in California’s Bay Area, San Bernardino, Ventura, and Sacramento.
Armenian Power
Armenian Power (AP) is a street gang that formed in the 1980s among Armenian immigrants in Los Angeles. The gang is divided into smaller groups, each with its leader and territory. They are known for using the Armenian flag, the color black, and the letter “P” as gang symbols.
Armenian Power is involved in crimes such as fraud, identity theft, extortion, and murder. The gang has around 250 members in the U.S., mainly operating in Glendale, Burbank, and Hollywood.
Conclusion
These gangs are among the most dangerous in California, contributing to crime and instability in many communities. Their presence poses a threat not only to law enforcement but also to residents in high-crime areas.
Raising awareness about these criminal organizations is crucial in preventing their influence from spreading. Additionally, providing education and opportunities for at-risk youth can help steer them away from gang involvement.
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