California has some of the most fascinating and bustling towns in the U.S. There are some pretty notorious and dangerous gangs that call that place home. They engage in illegal activities such as selling drugs, extortion, robbery, murder, and more, operating in various areas of the state. At the moment, these five gangs are the most dangerous ones in California.
MS-13
MS-13, also known as Mara Salvatrucha, is a gang that has a presence in various parts of the world. It all started in Los Angeles back in the 1980s when families from El Salvador had to leave their home due to the civil war. Since then, folks from different parts of the US, Central America, Europe, and even Australia have hopped on board with the gang.
MS-13 uses machetes and old-school methods to take lives. The gang is involved in a lot of terrible activities, like trafficking people and women, kidnapping individuals, and smuggling drugs into the country. MS-13 consists of roughly 10,000 members in the US. Southern California has plenty of them, mainly in the San Fernando Valley and the Pico-Union area.
Nuestra Familia
Nuestra Familia, or “Our Family,” was a gang in prison. Back in the late 1960s, the group members gathered at this facility. It’s organized like a militia, and the crew follows some pretty strict rules.
Nuestra Familia handles a lot of the illegal activities going on in Northern California. This really holds true in the countryside and the Central Valley. The Mexican Mafia and the gang have had a rocky relationship for quite a while now.
The Mexican Mafia is a notable gang in the Orange County jail scene. Our family has around 2,000 members, whether they’re currently in jail or not. The Norteños are their buddies and partners.
Crips
The Crips were among the earliest and biggest street gangs in the US. It all started in Los Angeles back in the late ’60s with Raymond Washington and Stanley Williams. The crew consists of various groups, each with its own vibe, hangout, and leader.
Folks recognize the Crips by their signs featuring the number 6, the letter “C,” and the color blue. The Crips are involved in various crimes, including theft, murder, and drug trafficking. There are around 35,000 folks in the US who are part of the Crips. In Southern California, you’ll find a lot of them living in cities like Los Angeles, Compton, Long Beach, and Inglewood.
Hells Angels
Hells Angels is a motorcycle club that was started in 1948 by a bunch of women who had served in World War II. The police view the club as an outlaw biker gang since it’s linked to various crimes like murder, drug dealing, extortion, and racketeering.
The Hells Angels are recognized for their red color, the letter A, and the skull emblem they sport. In the US, there are roughly 2,500 members of the Hells Angels. Most of them live in California’s Bay Area, San Bernardino, Ventura, and Sacramento.
Armenian Power
In the 1980s, a street gang known as Armenian Power (AP) came together, made up of Armenians who had relocated to Los Angeles. The gang is made up of different groups, or cliques. Every one has its own space and leader. The Armenian flag, the color black, and the letter P all represent Armenian Power.
Armenian Power is involved in some serious stuff like fraud, identity theft, extortion, and even murder. There are around 250 folks in the US who make up Armenian Power. Most of them hang out in Glendale, Burbank, and Hollywood down in Southern California.
Wrapping it up
Here are a few of the most dangerous gangs in California at the moment. Many others also pose a threat to the safety and security of the state. It’s not only the police dealing with these gangs; folks and communities in areas where crime and corruption thrive are facing issues too. A lot of folks should be aware of these crime groups to help prevent their spread. It’s really important to support and provide opportunities for young people and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, as they can easily be motivated to work and shift their perspectives.
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