Comparative Perspective of Organized Crime Essay Example

Spanish or Roman numerals. They also use other number combinations like 666 or 99 to represent the number eighteen. Some members have tattoos with the word BEST, which stands for Barrio Eighteen Street. According to LAPD gang detective Magdaleno Gomez, the gang is infamous for committing murders, kidnappings, robberies, and drug trafficking. They have also been involved in creating counterfeit immigration cards and food stamps.

According to National Public Radio (2008), the 18th Street Gang participates in a wide range of criminal activities and is known to accept bribes from members of rival gangs in exchange for protection. The Crips, originally thought to have been known as the Baby Avenues or Avenue Cribs, were founded by 15-year-old Fremont High school student Raymond Washington in 1969 (Street Gangs, 2008). The gang grew substantially by 1971, when Washington recruited Stanley "Tookie" Williams from the west side of Los Angeles.

In 1979, Washington was murdered and no one was arrested or prosecuted for the crime, as reported by Street Gangs in 2008. During the 60s, young black individuals formed political and social clubs, but Washington did not anticipate the level of violence that the Crips would reach. Some groups, such as the Black Panthers and the Sons of Watts, aimed to protect their communities from racism, brutality, and social injustices at the beginning of their formation, as Gangsta King: Raymond Lee Washington explains. While the Crips are mainly African-American, they are not exclusively so. Initially formed by two separate gangs, individual sets now make up the loosely organized network of the gang who engage in open rivalry with each other, according to Gangs OR Us in 2009. Members of

this gang fall between the ages of 12 and 24, with an average age of 17-18.Abadinsky (2007, pg. 235) indicates that the gang's structure is not hierarchical, but rather connected to different groups of locals in the neighborhood who go by street names or aliases. Gang initiations usually involve criminal activities like robbery, assault, murder, drive-by shootings, "beat-ins," or "jump-ins" where prospective members are physically attacked by other members to prove their loyalty and courage to their comrades (Gangs OR Us, 2009). The number of estimated members in the United States ranges from 30,000 to 35,000 with its reach expanding throughout Northern California, Washington and Midwest regions as stated by Abadinsky (2007,p.g.).

Allegedly, the Crips gang (235) is infamous for participating in unlawful actions including drug distribution, theft, and homicide. It appears that they have amplified their trafficking of crack cocaine in areas where they have established a presence in the market. Furthermore, they are recognized for having an intense rivalry with opposing gangs such as Bloods, Mexican-American gangs, and Chicano gangs. The gang's dominance has even extended beyond America with associates being detected in foreign nations.

According to Gangs OR Us (2009), the Bloods view their enemies as allies, while the Crips identify with the color blue and sport a blue bandana known as a "flag" (Gangs OR Us, 2009). This bandana was first worn by one of the group's founders who later died in a shooting.

As reported by Gangs OR Us (2009), the Crips have a distinct vernacular in which they substitute "B" with "C" and address one another as "Cuzz." They rely on rap music and graffiti as forms of communication. The

Crips and 18th Street Gang engage in criminal endeavors such as battery, assault, murder, drive-by shootings, and robbery. Moreover, they utilize their neighborhoods for drug trafficking activities.

According to the National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations (2005), the 18th Street Gang and the Crips collaborate with other gangs to facilitate drug trafficking and crime, particularly in street-level retail. These gangs distribute both powder and crack cocaine while also engaging in robbery activities against individuals, banks, stores, and armored cars. The use of firearms is prevalent among both gangs during these illegal actions.

Abadinsky's 2007 book (pg. 235) states that the Crips and the 18th Street Gang are both loyal to their neighborhood identity, but there are distinctions between them. The 18th Street Gang is more sophisticated in their criminal pursuits and employs technology to produce fake immigration and naturalization cards as well as fraudulent food stamps.

According to the National Alliance of Gang Investigators Associations (2005), the 18th Street Gang has connections with drug cartels in Colombia and Mexico. Members of this gang are forbidden from using crack cocaine and have been found to be associated with prostitution. A report from 2002 about the gang revealed that it includes illegal immigrants in Los Angeles County.

The Crips possess a complex communication system which involves the application of graffiti, hand gestures, donning specific athletic attire and displaying their colors. They commonly sport jogging suits, tennis shoes, professional sports team jackets and caps that reflect the Los Angeles teams' names. The gang appears to demonstrate a stronger focus on individualism and an unwavering dedication towards promoting and sustaining violence against opposing factions according to Gang Watchers (2005). Their tagging technique often

symbolizes previous or anticipated gang-related actions.

Although they assert that their intentions are peaceful, the 18th Street Gang and Crips present a significant obstacle for law enforcement due to the possibility of heightened organization. These organizations have participated in violent acts such as urban warfare and take-over robberies, leading to feelings of fear, violence, and financial burden in small towns, cities, rural communities, and metropolitan areas throughout the United States. The broad scope of gang activity endangers public safety and quality of life nationwide.

To secure the safety of children, it is crucial to confront the possible threat of gang activity in newly established communities by collaborating with both law enforcement and community members. Vital measures include recognizing the issue, launching educational initiatives that promote awareness, and coordinating with local and federal agencies. These efforts should incorporate information exchange and enhanced training for law enforcement to prevent gangs from expanding their presence and engaging in criminal activities.