Gangs are organized groups of criminals who engage in various illegal activities, such as drug trafficking, robbery, murder, extortion, and racketeering. They often use violence to control territories, recruit members, and intimidate rivals or law enforcement. Gangs can be classified by their ethnic origin, affiliation, location, or criminal specialty. Some gangs are transnational, operating across borders and continents, while others are local or regional.

The United States of America has a long history of gang violence and crime, dating back to the 19th century. According to the FBI, there are currently about 33,000 gangs in the US, including street gangs, motorcycle gangs, and prison gangs. These gangs pose a significant threat to public safety and national security, as they are involved in various crimes that affect millions of Americans every year.

Top 10 Gangs in USA Ever

In this article, we will look at some of the most notorious and dangerous gangs that have ever operated in the US, based on their size, influence, violence, and criminal activities. We will also provide some facts and statistics about gang violence in the US, as well as some frequently asked questions and answers.

1. Latin Kings

The Latin Kings is one of the largest and most organized Hispanic street gangs in the US. It was formed in Chicago in the 1940s by Puerto Rican immigrants who wanted to protect themselves from other gangs. The gang later expanded to other cities and states, and adopted a complex hierarchy and structure. The gang is divided into chapters or tribes, each with its own leader and territory. The gang also has a set of rules and codes that govern its members’ behavior and loyalty.

The Latin Kings is involved in various crimes, such as drug trafficking, murder, assault, robbery, extortion, and racketeering. The gang is known for its violent clashes with rival gangs, such as the Bloods, Crips, MS-13, and 18th Street. The gang also has a history of corruption and infiltration of law enforcement and political institutions. The gang has been targeted by several federal and state investigations and prosecutions over the years.

2. MS-13

MS-13, or Mara Salvatrucha, is one of the most violent and notorious transnational gangs in the world. It was founded in Los Angeles in the 1980s by Salvadoran refugees who fled the civil war in their country. The gang later spread to other parts of the US, as well as Central America, Mexico, Canada, Europe, and Australia. The gang is estimated to have between 50,000 and 70,000 members worldwide.

MS-13 is involved in various crimes, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, murder, rape, kidnapping, extortion, and racketeering. The gang is known for its brutality and savagery, often using machetes or firearms to kill or mutilate their victims. The gang also has a reputation for targeting innocent civilians, including women and children. The gang is often at war with rival gangs, such as the 18th Street Gang or the Mexican Mafia. The gang has been designated as a transnational criminal organization by the US government, and has been subject to numerous law enforcement operations and crackdowns.

3. Crips

The Crips is one of the largest and most influential African-American street gangs in the US. It was founded in Los Angeles in the late 1960s by Raymond Washington and Stanley “Tookie” Williams, who wanted to create a unified force against other gangs in their neighborhood. The gang later expanded to other cities and states, and formed alliances with other gangs under the banner of the Folk Nation. The gang is divided into hundreds of sets or subgroups, each with its own leader and territory. The gang also has a distinctive culture and style, using colors (blue), symbols (six-pointed star), signs (C-shaped hand gesture), and slang (Crip talk).

The Crips is involved in various crimes, such as drug trafficking, murder, robbery, assault, carjacking, and racketeering. The gang is known for its rivalry with the Bloods, which has resulted in countless deaths and injuries over the decades. The gang also has conflicts with other gangs, such as the Latin Kings, MS-13, and Aryan Brotherhood. The gang has been targeted by several federal and state investigations and prosecutions over the years.

4. Bloods

The Bloods is one of the largest and most influential African-American street gangs in the US. It was formed in Los Angeles in the early 1970s by several smaller gangs who wanted to challenge the dominance of the Crips in their area. The gang later expanded to other cities and states, and formed alliances with other gangs under the banner of the People Nation. The gang is divided into hundreds of sets or subgroups, each with its own leader and territory. The gang also has a distinctive culture and style, using colors (red), symbols (five-pointed star), signs (B-shaped hand gesture), and slang (Blood talk).

The Bloods is involved in various crimes, such as drug trafficking, murder, robbery, assault, carjacking, and racketeering. The gang is known for its rivalry with the Crips, which has resulted in countless deaths and injuries over the decades. The gang also has conflicts with other gangs, such as the Latin Kings, MS-13, and Aryan Brotherhood. The gang has been targeted by several federal and state investigations and prosecutions over the years.

5. Aryan Brotherhood

The Aryan Brotherhood is one of the most violent and notorious white supremacist prison gangs in the US. It was formed in San Quentin State Prison in California in the 1960s by inmates who wanted to protect themselves from other racial groups. The gang later spread to other prisons and states, and established connections with other white supremacist groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan, the Nazi Lowriders, and the Peckerwoods. The gang is estimated to have between 15,000 and 20,000 members, both inside and outside prison.

The Aryan Brotherhood is involved in various crimes, such as drug trafficking, murder, assault, robbery, extortion, and racketeering. The gang is known for its brutality and ruthlessness, often using tattoos (swastikas, shamrocks, SS bolts), symbols (666, AB), and codes (14/88) to identify themselves and communicate. The gang also has a strict code of conduct and loyalty, requiring members to kill or be killed for the gang. The gang is often at war with rival gangs, such as the Black Guerrilla Family, the Mexican Mafia, and the Nuestra Familia. The gang has been designated as a transnational criminal organization by the US government, and has been subject to numerous law enforcement operations and crackdowns.

6. 18th Street Gang

The 18th Street Gang is one of the largest and most violent Hispanic street gangs in the US. It was formed in Los Angeles in the late 1960s by Mexican-American youths who were rejected by other gangs, such as the Clanton 14 or the Mara Salvatrucha. The gang later expanded to other cities and states, and recruited members from various Central American countries, such as El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The gang is estimated to have between 30,000 and 50,000 members worldwide.

The 18th Street Gang is involved in various crimes, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, murder, rape, kidnapping, extortion, and racketeering. The gang is known for its violence and aggression, often using tattoos (XV3, XVIII), colors (blue or black), signs (18-shaped hand gesture), and slang (Dieciocho) to identify themselves and communicate. The gang also has a loose structure and hierarchy, allowing members to operate independently or form alliances with other gangs. The gang is often at war with rival gangs, such as the MS-13, the Bloods, and the Crips. The gang has been designated as a transnational criminal organization by the US government, and has been subject to numerous law enforcement operations and crackdowns.

7. Hells Angels

The Hells Angels is one of the largest and most notorious outlaw motorcycle clubs in the world. It was founded in San Bernardino County in California in 1948 by former World War II veterans who wanted to form a brotherhood of bikers. The club later expanded to other states and countries, and adopted a complex hierarchy and structure. The club is divided into chapters or charters, each with its own president and territory. The club also has a set of rules and codes that govern its members’ behavior and loyalty.

The Hells Angels is involved in various crimes, such as drug trafficking, murder, assault, robbery, extortion, and racketeering. The club is known for its violence and intimidation, often using patches (death’s head logo), colors (red and white), signs (one-percenter symbol), and slang (Angels Forever Forever Angels) to identify themselves and communicate. The club also has a fierce rivalry with other motorcycle clubs, such as the Mongols, the Outlaws, and the Bandidos. The club has been designated as a transnational criminal organization by the US government, and has been subject to numerous law enforcement operations and crackdowns.

8. Black Guerrilla Family

The Black Guerrilla Family is one of the most radical and revolutionary African-American prison gangs in the US. It was formed in San Quentin State Prison in California in 196

6 by inmates who wanted to create a revolutionary movement against the prison system and the oppression of black people. The gang was influenced by militant black organizations, such as the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Army. The gang later spread to other prisons and states, and established connections with other street gangs, such as the Crips, the Bloods, and the Gangster Disciples.

The Black Guerrilla Family is involved in various crimes, such as drug trafficking, murder, assault, robbery, extortion, and racketeering. The gang is known for its radical and violent ideology, often using tattoos (crossed sabers, dragon, or rifle), symbols (BGF or 276), and codes (14/23) to identify themselves and communicate. The gang also has a strict code of conduct and loyalty, requiring members to kill or be killed for the gang. The gang is often at war with rival gangs, such as the Aryan Brotherhood, the Mexican Mafia, and the Nuestra Familia. The gang has been designated as a transnational criminal organization by the US government, and has been subject to numerous law enforcement operations and crackdowns.

9. Mongols

The Mongols is one of the most violent and notorious outlaw motorcycle clubs in the US. It was founded in Montebello, California in 1969 by Hispanic bikers who were rejected by other clubs, such as the Hells Angels. The club later expanded to other states and countries, and adopted a complex hierarchy and structure. The club is divided into chapters or regions, each with its own president and territory. The club also has a set of rules and codes that govern its members’ behavior and loyalty.

The Mongols is involved in various crimes, such as drug trafficking, murder, assault, robbery, extortion, and racketeering. The club is known for its violence and intimidation, often using patches (Mongols logo), colors (black and white), signs (one-percenter symbol), and slang (Mongol Nation) to identify themselves and communicate. The club also has a fierce rivalry with other motorcycle clubs, such as the Hells Angels, the Outlaws, and the Bandidos. The club has been designated as a transnational criminal organization by the US government, and has been subject to numerous law enforcement operations and crackdowns.

10. Barrio Azteca

The Barrio Azteca is one of the most powerful and dangerous Hispanic prison gangs in the US. It was formed in El Paso County Jail in Texas in 1986 by inmates who wanted to protect themselves from other gangs, such as the Texas Syndicate or the Mexican Mafia. The gang later spread to other prisons and states, and established connections with other street gangs, such as the Sureños, the Latin Kings, and the MS-13. The gang also formed an alliance with the Juárez Cartel, a major drug-trafficking organization in Mexico. The gang is estimated to have between 3,000 and 5,000 members, both inside and outside prison.

The Barrio Azteca is involved in various crimes, such as drug trafficking, murder, assault, robbery, extortion, and racketeering. The gang is known for its violence and sophistication, often using tattoos (Aztec symbols), colors (blue or black), signs (BA-shaped hand gesture), and codes (21/22) to identify themselves and communicate. The gang also has a strict structure and hierarchy, requiring members to pay dues and follow orders from the leaders. The gang is often at war with rival gangs, such as the Texas Syndicate, the Mexican Mafia, and the Gulf Cartel. The gang has been designated as a transnational criminal organization by the US government, and has been subject to numerous law enforcement operations and crackdowns.

Conclusion

Gang violence is a serious problem that affects millions of Americans every year. It causes death, injury, fear, and social disorder in many communities across the country. It also costs billions of dollars in law enforcement, health care, and criminal justice expenses.

To combat gang violence, it is important to understand the history, structure, culture, and motives of these gangs. It is also essential to develop effective strategies to prevent, intervene, and suppress their activities. These strategies may include:

Providing education, employment, and social services to at-risk youth and families;

Enhancing community engagement and collaboration among various stakeholders;
Implementing intelligence-led policing and prosecution to target high-risk offenders;
Promoting rehabilitation and reintegration of former gang members;

Strengthening international cooperation and coordination to disrupt transnational gangs.

By working together, we can reduce gang violence and create safer and healthier communities for everyone.

10 Most Asked Questions and Answers

Q: What is a gang? A: A gang is a group of three or more people who share a common identity and engage in criminal or violent activities.

Q: How many gangs are there in the US? A: According to the FBI, there are about 33,000 gangs in the US, including street gangs, motorcycle gangs, and prison gangs.

Q: What are the main causes of gang violence? A: Some of the main causes of gang violence are poverty, social exclusion, lack of opportunities, peer pressure, family dysfunction, drug addiction, and cultural influences.

Q: What are the main effects of gang violence? A: Some of the main effects of gang violence are homicide, assault, robbery, rape, kidnapping, drug abuse, property damage, fear, trauma, and social disorder.

Q: How can I prevent my child from joining a gang? A: Some of the ways to prevent your child from joining a gang are:

Communicate with your child regularly and openly;
Monitor your child’s activities and whereabouts;

Set clear rules and expectations for your child’s behavior;
Provide positive role models and mentors for your child;
Encourage your child to participate in constructive activities and hobbies;

Support your child’s education and career goals;
Seek professional help if your child shows signs of gang involvement or risk factors.

Q: How can I help my child leave a gang? A: Some of the ways to help your child leave a gang are:

Talk to your child about the dangers and consequences of gang involvement;
Express your love and support for your child;
Help your child find alternative ways to meet their needs and goals;

Contact local organizations or programs that offer assistance to former gang members;
Relocate your child to a different school or neighborhood if necessary;
Protect your child from retaliation or harassment by the gang;

Cooperate with law enforcement if needed.

Q: How can I report gang activity in my area? A: Some of the ways to report gang activity in your area are:

Call 911 if you witness or experience an emergency or a crime in progress;

Call the local police department’s non-emergency number if you have information or tips about past or potential gang activity;
Contact Crime Stoppers anonymously if you want to provide information without revealing your identity;
Use online platforms or apps that allow you to report gang activity anonymously or securely.

Q: How can I support victims of gang violence? A: Some of the ways to support victims of gang violence are:

Provide emotional and practical support to the victims and their families;
Refer them to local resources or services that can help them cope and recover;

Advocate for their rights and needs in the criminal justice system;
Raise awareness and funds for victim assistance programs or initiatives;
Volunteer or donate to organizations that work with victims of gang violence.

Q: How can I get involved in preventing and reducing gang violence? A: Some of the ways to get involved in preventing and reducing gang violence are:

Join or start a community group or coalition that works on gang prevention or intervention issues;
Participate in community events or campaigns that promote peace and unity;

Mentor or tutor at-risk youth or former gang members;
Educate yourself and others about the causes and effects of gang violence;
Support policies and legislation that address the root causes and solutions of gang violence.

Q: Where can I find more information about gangs and gang violence? A: Some of the sources where you can find more information about gangs and gang violence are: