A SPECIAL REPORT FROM THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN INFORMATION NETWORK

LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE Rocky Mountain Information Network (RMIN) is one of six regional projects in the United States that comprise the Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS). Each project links law enforcement agencies from neighboring states into a regional network that interacts with law enforcement member agencies nationwide. Funded by Congress through the Bureau of Justice Assistance, RISS provides secure commu- nications, information sharing resources and investigative support to combat multi-jurisdictional crime. RMIN is headquartered in Phoenix and serves more than 1,040 law enforcement member agencies in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming and the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada.

Rocky Mountain Information Network P.O. Box 41370 Phoenix, AZ 85080-1370 623-587-8201 800-821-0640 John E. Vinson, Executive Director Jeff Crane, Editor Kate von Seeburg, Publications Support Specialist

Surenos 2008 “One rule, one law, one order.”

Surenos 2008 is a special report produced by the Publications Department of Rocky Mountain Information Network. The project was supported by Grant No. 2008-RS-CX-K004 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a com- ponent of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the Office for Victims of Crime. Points of view or opinions in this docu- ment are those of the author and do not represent the official position or policies of the United States Department of Justice and may not represent the opinion of the RMIN Executive Policy Board of Directors. The information contained in this special report is privi- leged, confidential and intended for use only by law enforcement officials with a need and right to know. Prior approval must be obtained from RMIN to further disseminate information contained in this report. TTaabbllee ooff CCoonntteennttss

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BY CHUCK SCHOVILLE Hispanic gang members and RMIN TRAINING SPECIALIST inmates. “I am a Sureno. One rule, one than the MS-13 gang. This can be Over the past decade, Surenos law, one order.” attributed to the overall size of the have migrated from California and are now living and active in When I heard that comment Sureno movement and the prox- almost every state in the country. made by a Sureno gang member imity of the RMIN region to Members of the Sureno gangs in Colorado Springs, Colorado, I California. The Mara Salvatrucha operate within and outside prisons knew we were right about the gang is a Sureno gang and should across America and are tightly decision to dedicate a Rocky be considered one of many controlled by the California Mountain Information Network California-based Hispanic gangs Mexican Mafia. As a result of the (RMIN) special report to the that are covered by the larger gang’s notoriety, the Surenos Surenos movement. Without exception, the Sureno have grown exponentially and I had not heard such a simple, gang movement has migrated into are now being emulated by clear and concise statement every state served by RMIN, into individuals who have no con- claiming allegiance to a gang our correctional facilities and into nection to the California since the early 1990s when the our communities. Mexican Mafia, yet claim to be Gangster Disciples began Surenos. It should be noted migrating into Phoenix. Sureno gang umbrella. To pay that not all gang members claim- Several months earlier, a group attention to the Mara Salvatrucha ing to be Sureno or a “sur” are sat in a room and discussed the members and to ignore the other from California; these imitators intent to develop, publish and dis- gangs loyal to the Sureno cause are not controlled by the tribute a document which would would be dangerous and costly to California Mexican Mafia. be useful to those involved in the communities within the RMIN In addition to individuals who fight against gang-related crime. region. emulate the California Surenos, We discussed Crips, Bloods, The Surenos gang movement intelligence indicates that docu- Arizona Mexican Mafia, and, of mented Surenos are active in course, MS 13. originated in prisons in the state of California as a result of con- every state within RMIN, com- Although the Mara Salvatrucha flicts between existing inmates mitting crimes under the guidance gang is a serious national prob- and street gang members who and leadership of California lem, it is clear that the Sureno were being incarcerated. This Mexico Mafia and Sureno gang gang is a major threat within the power struggle primarily was members who are incarcerated in RMIN region and at this time, is a between the Southern (“sureno”) federal, state, county, city and pri- more imminent threat requiring and Northern (“norteno”) vate facilities throughout the attention from law enforcement United States.  

2 For Law Enforcement Only Surenos 2008 is intended to the Surenos or whether you will future criminal control by the inform and educate the law wait as many did during the Mexican Mafia. enforcement and criminal justice migration of the Crips and Bloods During the research for this communities about the Surenos throughout the country during the report, I conducted or participated who are from California and are 1980s. in numerous interviews with loyal to the California Mexican Without exception, the Sureno incarcerated Sureno gang mem- Mafia. This loyalty includes the gang movement has migrated into bers. From those interviews, com- willingness of Surenos gang every state served by RMIN, into bined with 25 years of law members to kill or be killed as a our correctional facilities and into enforcement experience, I say supporter of the Mexican Mafia. our communities. with certainty that Surenos are The goal of Surenos: 2008 is to The movement is a major law focused on a complete ideology clearly identify what a Sureno is enforcement issue that must be and belief in their gang and that and what types of strategies can addressed before Surenos are suc- they display a dedication and loy- be developed and implemented to cessful in infiltrating and control- alty that surpasses that of any disrupt and mitigate the impact of ling all communities and correc- gang I’ve ever dealt with. Surenos on our communities. tional facilities within the RMIN Surenos believe in their cause. Make no mistake: Every state, region. Their loyalty includes the willing- every community is in the path of Officials must recognize that ness to kill or be killed as a sup- the Sureno movement. The issue Surenos are in their community porter of the Mexican Mafia. is whether your agency will be and are laying the foundation for prepared to deal effectively with

About the author… Chuck Schoville is Training Specialist with the Rocky Mountain Information Network. He is founder/president of the Arizona Gang Investigators Association and president of the International Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Investigators Association. His law enforcement career began as a patrol officer with the Tempe (AZ) Police Department and spanned 25 years until his retirement as a sergeant with the depart- ment’s Gang & Intelligence Unit. He served as Hostage Negotiations team leader and is a certified Crime Prevention Specialist. Schoville has written for numerous publications and is a certified instructor on all aspects of gangs and gang investigations. He has delivered law enforcement related presentations throughout the United States. Schoville earned his bachelor of science degree in Education from Northern Arizona University.

For Law Enforcement Only 3 SSuurreennooss 22000088

BY CHUCK SCHOVILLE illusioned with the newly-formed RMIN TRAINING SPECIALIST Mexican Mafia. Many of these maravilla gang members chose to ORIGIN OF THE SURENOS south. The Sureno gang or gang no longer align themselves to the mafia. A gang that developed near- California’s Hispanic criminal movement includes the three by called itself Maravilla and with street gangs are divided into the California “super” gangs--18th Street, Florencia 13 and Mara the gang’s believe that due to its north (norteno) or south (sureno). history and standing within the Salvatrucha--as well as hundreds of The dividing line is generally rec- community, it should not and ognized as being near the city of other Hispanic gangs. Surenos would not have a loyalty to the Delano but others argue the divid- include all Southern California Mexican Mafia. Gang members ing line is Bakersfield or some- determined they would not pay where near the area of Kern taxes as other gangs willingly had County. done. This blatant act of defiance Historically, Hispanic gangs and disrespect resulted in members of the Maravilla gangs being north of the dividing line have placed on a gang “green light” list claimed allegiance to the Nortenos by the Mexican Mafia. As a result and those to the south claimed alle- of this kill on sight order by the giance to the Surenos. All Mexican Mafia, gangs claiming California Hispanic criminal street allegiance to the Surenos were bit- gangs claim allegiance to the ter enemies with the Maravilla Nortenos or Surenos, with the gangs on the street. Once incarcer- exception of the Fresno Bulldogs. ated, however, Maravilla gang Whether it’s on the streets or in the members sought protection to correctional facilities, the Fresno avoid being killed by members of Bulldogs function independently criminal street gangs except the the Mexican Mafia. It was not until and do not align themselves with Maravilla* gangs of East Los recently that the “kill on sight” order against the Maravilla sets Nortenos or Surenos. The Fresno Angeles. The Sureno gang structure is was recalled by the leadership of Bulldogs are a unique California- the Mexican Mafia. based gang that has the power, very loose and has no formal rank Currently there are several strength and a large enough mem- structure but there are well-known veteranos and “shot callers” who gangs in the Maravilla area that bership to stand on its own and are loyal to the Mexican Mafia. have influence within the gangs. remain free from the politics of the There are also several Maravilla Nortenos and Surenos. All other *The early residents of a low- gangs in that area that aren’t Hispanic criminal street gangs are cost housing project in East L.A. aligned to the Mexican Mafia that forced to choose a side whether nicknamed the housing project are referred to as Los they want to join in or not. maravillosa (Spanish for mar- Maravillosos.They are led by those SURENO velous). In the early 1950s various men that were disillusioned by the maravillas were responsible for the original mafia. The word sureno translates to creation of the Mexican Mafia “southerner” in Spanish and the prison gang. Several of the mar-  word “sur” translates to the word avilla gangs members becames dis- 

4 For Law Enforcement Only SAME NAME, DIFFERENT neighborhood street gang. WHAT IS A SURENO? RESULTS The same phenomena occurred When a Sureno is asked what In the late 1990s to early 2000s, with the Sureno name. being a Sureno means, gang mem- the term “Sureno” was being used Like weeds popping up after a bers, without exception, answer, “A more frequently. Law enforcement rainstorm, young men and women Sureno is a foot soldier for the believed that Sureno was a name began claiming to be Surenos. Young Mexican Mafia.” given to a Southern California gang members who had never been The majority of Southern Hispanic gang that wore blue and to California started telling anyone California Hispanic criminal street generally lived and functioned south who would listen that they were gangs will call themselves Surenos “Surenos,” “Sur Trece,” “Sur,” “Sur of Bakersfield. Surenos were under- and are loyal and obedient to the 13” or any other derivative of the stood to be enemies of the hated Mexican Mafia, also known as the Nortenos, the Hispanic gangs north word sur. They began (and continue) to wear clothing or carry items with Mano Negra (Black Hand). of Bakersfield. the number 13 and the word Sur, Sureno gangs function as a “feed- Most traditional Southern Southside or Southsider to claim er system” for the Mexican Mafia. In California Hispanic gangs rarely allegiance to the south side. much the same way that college migrated into Arizona and football supplies the NFL with the as a result, little attention Surenos believe in their cause. Their loyalty necessary talent to play football on was paid to Surenos. This includes the willingness to kill or be killed as Sundays, Sureno gangs provide soon changed as commu- a supporter of the Mexican Mafia. players for the Mexican Mafia to nities outside California control, intimidate and dominate were beginning to deal communities, other criminal organi- Individuals from California with the arrival of Hispanic gangs zations and most importantly, to con- into their communities. Sureno gangs would move into com- munities that were controlled and tinue to attempt to control all correc- THE STREET VERSION SURENO dominated by long-time neighbor- tional facilities. In the early 1990s, many gang hood gangs, bringing with them the Gabe Morales, founder and inau- members throughout the RMIN California gang member’s criminal gural president of the International region began to emulate the gangs of mindset. Latino Gang Investigators Southern California (the Crips and There was some movement of Association (ILGIA), noted that the Bloods), with gangs calling Hispanic gang members from Surenos are “…a pool from which themselves the Rollin’ 30s, Rollin’ California to other RMIN region the Mexican Mafia can recruit, culti- 40s and Hoover Street Crips. states, but the numbers remained vate and develop future Mexican These newly-formed gangs had no fairly low throughout the 1990s. Mafia members. connection with the Southern It was not until the last several A Sureno has about the same odds California gangs, other than the gang years that the significance of the of becoming a member of the name, which was discovered on tele- Sureno movement from California Mexican Mafia as does a college vision or the Internet. The name of a throughout the United States became football player of making it into a well-known, well-respected Southern clear. professional football league. But just California gang was far superior to like the rare football player who has naming your gang after an unknown the desire, passion and attitude to do  

For Law Enforcement Only 5 whatever it takes to play football on becoming a Sureno may seem like a community, a place where very few Sundays, the same opportunity exists more viable option to many. things change from year to year, for the Sureno who is willing to give Some Surenos believe it’s a way from decade to decade, with the his life for the cause. up and out of the neighborhood, exception of those found hanging out Unfortunately for others, the life which is where many of their own on the gang corners. Often, the that is given during a Sureno’s pur- family members have lived for gen- names are the same, but the genera- suit down the path is frequently erations. tions have changed. someone else’s and during the And who are the people most Youngsters growing up in commu- research for this special report, many admired in these conditions? They’re nities controlled by criminal street Surenos discussed killing others as often the validated and incarcerated gangs often have little choice but to though they were talking about tak- older members of the Mexican Mafia join the gang. Although the gang ing a Sunday drive. may be sheltered by the Surenos’ Although the majori- blue umbrella, the young ty of Surenos are gang member may know Hispanics from little about the Surenos, California, there are what the Surenos repre- exceptions. sent or the future he’s committing to by becom- As is the case with ing a Sureno. The young any gang, an investiga- gangster is content to rep- tor should never say resent his loyalty to his “never” and never say community (barrio) “always.” through his new gang and gang WHERE DOES THE SURENOS referred to as the “eme,” or the “big members always remain loyal to PATH LEAD? homies.” their neighborhood. Gang members claiming alle- These admired individuals are the As time passes, the young gang giance to the Sureno movement want “unicorns” of the barrios: Larger member continues to be mentored something to believe in and want a than life magical beasts that are and he’s trained to be a loyal barrio purpose for living. In a world that rarely seen by anyone in the commu- warrior. Those willing to rise through often includes dysfunctional families, nity, yet these individuals are the fea- the ranks of their neighborhood gang lower socio-economic status and lim- tured characters in gang legends. often progress to the next level. ited education, gang members want These leaders, known as “shot to believe they can become someone callers,” control the barrios from the After several years of being others look up to. inside of an eight by ten cell within schooled by veteran gang members, it is clear to gang leaders who the Many of those wanting to join the the highest security level prisons true gang warriors are. Loyal and Surenos are addicted to drugs or throughout the United States. dedicated gang members are identi- alcohol, many are sociopaths and Long before a boy sets out on the fied and then typically taken into an many are career criminals. Instead of Sureno path, he begins as a young- older Sureno gang member’s “crew.” living an entire life of despair, ster living within a small, tightly-knit The crew leaders choose wisely and  

6 For Law Enforcement Only only those gang members willing to THE SURENO PATH HAS MANY GROWTH OF THE SURENOS do whatever is necessary on behalf DIRECTIONS Surenos have grown into one of of the Surenos become crew mem- While gangs claiming allegiance the nation’s largest criminal organi- bers. Loyalty and dedication are to the Surenos were migrating away zations for several reasons. absolute requirements for member- from California, the path of the First, most law enforcement agen- ship and any sign of weakness is Surenos took many directions cies were snot prepared to handle the dealt with quickly. throughout the United States. rapid migration of the Surenos When a group of five Surenos The Sureno movement gained throughout the country. recently was being escorted through instant recognition from law enforce- As a law enforcement profession- a correctional facility by two correc- ment professionals on the East Coast al, how many times have you read or tional officers, one of the inmates with the migration of the Mara been asked about the Mara physically assaulted both correction- Salvatrucha gang. Law enforcement Salvatrucha (MS13) gang? The al officers and the other Surenos officials in major metropolitan areas answer is most likely many times joined in the assault. including Minneapolis, Washington because of the national and interna- One of the Surenos was asked D.C., Chicago and almost every tional news coverage of MS-13. But why he joined in on the assault, even other major U.S. city have reported how many times have you been though he was not initially involved. gang activity directly related to the asked about the Surenos, or when His answer, short and direct, Sureno gang movement. Some gang was the last time you attended a proved his loyalty and dedication to experts have reported that some sets training conference with a class dedi- the Surenos: “I was obligated,” he of the Latin Kings gang, which origi- cated to the Surenos? nated in the greater Chicago area, are said. Second, Surenos enjoy a large now starting to claim to be loyal to Failure to comply and take advan- membership base from which to the Surenos. tage of the opportunity to assault the draw members. Once a Sureno gang correctional officers would have member has made the transition from resulted in severe consequences for a neighborhood gang member to a those who didn’t participate. Sureno gang member, he follows the

Sureno clothes/cars/accessories: Each criminal street gang has commonly identifying clothing or related items. Because most Surenos are slightly older than the usual gangster on a street corner hanging out with other gang members, the older Sureno will not typically wear gang-specific clothing or items that indicate Sureno membership. You should remember, however, that many younger Sureno gang members may choose to identify themselves with typical Sureno clothing items that are blue and include the anything with the letter S (Southside or Sur, for example) or the number 13 or 213; the city name Los Angeles on clothing also is associated with Sureno membership.  

For Law Enforcement Only 7 simple rule that Surenos should Once a Sureno, the rules of within a new community, Surenos never fight each other, but instead engagement change. Each and every often “tax” the local businesses as must unite to further the cause of the day for the rest of their lives, a gang well as current gangs that have been Mexican Mafia. member is dedicated to furthering conducting illegal activities. Gangs that formerly were rivals the cause of the Surenos and of the For example, a citizen owns a suc- on the streets and who would kill Mexican Mafia. cessful dry cleaning business. After one another on sight are now allies Many under the direction of the Surenos will have while incarcerated. All movements, the number Surenos always remember and act according to this issues and/or gang-related Sureno 13 tattooed unwritten Sureno motto: Unorganized violence causes business while incarcerated must be on their mayhem. Organized violence causes respect. approved by Sureno gang leaders. body which A Sureno who takes business into in a true his own hands without approval will Surenos world means one thing and the Surenos establish a stronghold in be dealt with by the Sureno leader- one thing only: Mexican Mafia. the community, they will visit the ship. All Sureno business must be People who do not belong or align business owner and inform him that sanctioned by the leadership because themselves to the Surenos may also he will be required to pay a certain any and all actions taken by any use the number 13, which has many amount of money on a weekly basis. Sureno, either as an individual or as interpretations, but there is only one In exchange for the weekly fee, the part of an organized and approved meaning of the number 13 to a “true Surenos will provide protection from action, could have a negative effect blue” Sureno. all other gangs. on all Surenos. A loyal Sureno must remain com- Refusal to pay the weekly “taxes” From 1995 to 2003, the Mexican mitted to the cause and must be will- to the Surenos will have a disastrous Mafia closed its membership and ing to “do the work” necessary to effect on the business. The result would not allow any new members succeed. If a Sureno has been may include frequent damage to the to join their ranks. Since 1993, the deemed weak or disloyal to the business and violent assaults against Mexican Mafia has admitted only 13 Sureno cause, he will be dealt with the business owner, friends of the new members, all from within the severely by his former Sureno broth- owner or to the business owner’s ranks of the Surenos support system. ers. family. The majority of Sureno gang The crimes that the Surenos are Surenos also will tax the existing members have participated in crimi- involved in are numerous. Any type criminal street gang members for the nal activity since their early teens, if of crime that will generate revenue right to continue to sell drugs in the not longer. After spending many for the Surenos is the crime of same area that the existing gang con- years as a member of their local choice. trolled and intimidated for years, if not neighborhood-based criminal street The easiest and most profitable decades. Failure to comply with the gang, they move to the next level of crime for Surenos to be involved in Surenos’ request for taxation is rare, being a “true blue” Sureno. Those is selling drugs. Surenos often move because criminal street gangs under- loyal to the cause are considered true into a new community and within stand that the consequence of failure to warriors. days have networked with existing comply equates to a self-imposed death gang members. Once established penalty for the violators.  

8 For Law Enforcement Only SURENOS FEMALES without hesitation for the Sureno emulate the California gang lifestyle All Surenos are males, however, cause. but very little attention is given to as is the case with most criminal Intelligence is being developed this type of activity by the gangs. street gangs, they have a large concerning female members of the He added, “Crips and Bloods are extended group of females equally as Surenos claiming to be Surenas. Black and the true Sureno is from Califas. That’s the way it has always loyal to the Sureno cause. The DIFFERENT TYPES OF females are used to conduct illegal been and that’s the way it always SURENOS will be.” activities, and are often the people First, it is important to remember This same Sureno was unable to responsible for running the business that there are three distinctive types answer the second question because for their incarcerated boyfriends or of Surenos: There are Surenos from he was laughing. husbands. Numerous investigations California and there are Surenos have shown that the Security Threat from other states. There are also a Clearly, this Surenos’ viewpoint is Groups (STG) within the RMIN large number of Hispanics that are different than what law enforcement region rely heavily on female associ- migrating from South or Central is actually dealing with. ates to conduct correspondence and America that are claiming they are Based on recent research, there communications to facilitate the Sureno members. are females who have started to call gang’s business. These females are Many California Surenos have themselves Surenas but do not been asked the same appear to be associated with the California Surenos. Law enforcement From 1995 to 2003, the Mexican Mafia two questions concern- may encounter females who are closed its membership and would not allow ing membership or alle- referring to themselves as Surenas any new members to join their ranks. Since giance to the Surenos: (see page 40). 1993, the Mexican Mafia has admitted only 1) Can you be a Sureno HOW WILL SURENOS AFFECT 13 new members, all from within the ranks if you are not from YOUR COMMUNITY? of the Surenos support system. California; and, 2) Are there female members Within Arizona, Surenos are con- of the Surenos, aka sidered a Security Threat Group, a often used to collect, store and dis- Surenas? distinction that was first recognized seminate drugs on behalf of the gang by Ken Lucas of the Corrections and to act as an unofficial banker for Without exception, a look of amazement and bewilderment Corporation of America (CCA), a Sureno members. The females asso- nationally recognized STG expert. ciated with the Surenos should be accompanies the response, as typi- fied by this recent exchange: While working for the Arizona considered just as dangerous and are Department of Corrections, Lucas In response to the first question, a equally involved in criminal activi- recognized the early warning signs ties as are the male gang members. Sureno answered, “These fools that aren’t from California can call them- of an imminent danger from the Females are occasionally referred to Surenos. as Surenas, or females loyal to and selves Surenos if they want, but a true blue Sureno is from Califas.” supportive of the Sureno men. The Early in 2000, Lucas wrote, female associates of the Sureno gang This hard core member of the “Universally, they [Surenos] present members should be considered dan- Sureno gang offered that the Surenos a high threat level to the public and have seen youngsters wanting to gerous and will also harm or kill law enforcement communities.  

For Law Enforcement Only 9 Surenos in the Arizona prison system and correctional facilities throughout rivals and few allies. The biggest are comprised of an undetermined the RMIN region and the entire threat to the Surenos is the Nortenos, number of members and associates— country will be dealing with the neg- who align themselves with a separate more than 100. They are present ative impact of the gangs’ migration. powerful California based prison throughout the Arizona Department A quote from a Sureno incarcerat- gang, the Nuestra Familia. of Corrections. They have for all ed in the Arizona Department of The Surenos refer to the Nortenos intents and purposes declared war Corrections mirrors Lucas’ warning, as farmeros, derogatory slang for against the Arizona ‘New’ Mexican not only to the state of Arizona but “farmers,” as a way of indicating that Mafia. (Author’s note: It is important to all states: “We represent strength in the Surenos’ opinion, many of the to remember that the California and those who are true will be proud Nortenos are Hispanic migrant farm Surenos are loyal to the Mexican to fly under the bandera of the real workers. Mafia that originated in the state of mano de negra [Black Hand of the Although Surenos are considered California; the Arizona Mexican California Mexican Mafia]. a Security Threat Group (STG) with- Mafia, which originated in Arizona, “The enemy can know is separate and distinct from the all day long of the com- Mexican Mafia.) mon knowledge which is If you make the mistake of stripping a “Surenos currently pose the great- the change that is com- Sureno of his dignity or respect, be est potential for increasingly violent ing—the change for the prepared for the consequences. acts and Security Threat Group better for kanpoleros Activities that will influence the safe [brothers]—and that is common in the Arizona Department of and orderly operation of our prison knowledge. Corrections, Surenos are not consid- system.” “And no matter what they think, ered an STG within the California Many did not recognize the early they are going to be sneaky or smart. Department of Corrections but warning sirens that Lucas was acti- They can never stop or disrupt what instead, a group which is considered vating, but it was soon clear that he is taking place and [expletive delet- disruptive and is closely monitored. was right. Between the year 2000 ed] their leaders and the rules that Due to the high number of inmates when Lucas sounded the warning they try and set. We are under our claiming membership in other vali- sirens and August of 2008, the own codes and reglas [rules], and no dated California prison gangs, the Arizona Department of Corrections basura [garbage] is going to tell us California Department of Corrections has seen a dramatic increase of gang what’s right and wrong. I’m riding does not have the ability to include members claiming allegiance to the hasta la muerta [‘til the death].” the Surenos as a STG. Sureno prison gang. Make no mistake about it: The A Sureno gang member recently Today, the Arizona Department of Surenos are a dangerous and violent described how the Surenos have Corrections identifies Surenos as a gang. taken and will continue to take over validated Security Threat Group communities one street at a time, one The Surenos have one clearly (STG). It is probable that as Hispanic crime at a time. understood purpose, which is to sup- gang members from Southern port the Mexican Mafia at all costs, According to this Sureno, there California continue to flee that including death. Surenos have many are many reasons why Surenos gang state’s three strikes law, communities members are migrating, with one  

10 For Law Enforcement Only being the most compelling: Many Arizona Mexican Mafia have been States and communities lacking a California gang members are moving “kill on sight” enemies for several powerful Hispanic Security Threat away from their home state as a decades. Group are easy prey for Surenos: result of the “third strike” law in However, with a newly-formed California. truce between the Arizona and • The Surenos will not have to Out of fear of being incarcerated California Mexican Mafia factions, deal with the “politics” that are often for life, many gang members move members and supporters of both involved in states with powerful to states with less restrictive gang gangs are hesitant to cause friction Hispanic Security Threat Groups, statutes. Once these gang members between the two powerful groups. such as Arizona and Texas. arrive in a new community, they typ- (Editor’s note: How this “truce” • Without a gang powerful enough ically find the local law enforcement unfolds remains to be seen and law to control gang migration, Surenos ill-prepared to deal effectively with a enforcement and corrections officials will move quickly toward domina- major criminal organization such as are taking a “wait and see” tion at all costs. the Surenos. approach.) • States without a valid Hispanic How a Sureno will operate and As a result, when a Sureno moves Security Threat Group have seen a commit crimes in a new community into Arizona—a state with an estab- dramatic increase in the number of will vary, depending on the state and lished and powerful Hispanic Surenos being incarcerated within existing gangs within the area, and Security Threat Group such as the their states. Once incarcerated, on the current status of the relation- Arizona Mexican Mafia—Surenos Surenos move quickly to gain con- ships between those gangs. will take the steps necessary to trol over what the gang considers its establish themselves in Arizona. For example, within the state of portion of the prison yards, dining Arizona, the majority of Hispanic Those steps could include meeting halls, housing dorms and every other criminal street gangs are loyal to the with representatives of the dominant facet of every correctional facility gang in the area and paying “taxes” to Arizona Mexican Mafia. within the state. the controlling gang as a form of appre- The California Mexican Mafia ciation for the gang’s acts of goodwill Once settled into their new envi- (with which all Surenos align them- and willingness to share in the wealth. ronment, Surenos quickly establish a selves and are loyal to) and the reputation and garner respect from

Sureno tattoos: Although there are numerous tattoos associated with being a Sureno, there is just one tattoo that signifies or proves membership. The word “Sureno” is a tattoo that must be earned and can never be taken for granted. If a person has the Sureno tattoo and has not earned it by dedicating himself to the Sureno cause and has proven he is “down for the cause,” he will have a difficult time explaining it to the Surenos if he is incarcerated. As one Sureno responded when asked about the possible scenario, the Sureno smiled and explained, “It wouldn’t be good.” There are other tattoos that may indicate Sureno membership such as “LA” or “213” (a Los Angeles telephone area code), yet these tattoos do not have the same signifi- cance as the word Sureno tattooed on a person. Tattoos such as “LA” or “SO CALI” should be considered indi- cators of possible Sureno membership.  

For Law Enforcement Only 11 all other criminal street gangs. Most Surenos and/or the Mexican Mafia. back to the Surenos. local criminal street gang members Level#3: Don’t let your victim be If a member of the crew is arrested from these communities are fearful of found. Ever. or is no longer able to actively partici- the Surenos, a gang with a reputation Surenos are motivated by the possi- pate in the criminal activity, he is for harming or killing if necessary to bility of becoming a validated member quickly replaced by another Sureno, promote the Sureno cause. Most if not of the Mexican Mafia. “I’ll make you often from a different geographic area all gang members across America famous,” a line from the movie “Billy of the country. understand the dangers and conse- the Kid,” is a phrase that Mexican As one Sureno recently explained, quences of crossing the Surenos. Mafia members enjoy using. The “Don’t think that when a Sureno gets Any gang or gang member refusing mafia’s saying is indeed accurate: the arrested by the local cops that he won’t to pay the required respect to the newly Mexican Mafia has made people be replaced. He’ll be replaced by anoth- arrived Sureno is dealt with quickly and famous, but for all the wrong reasons. er Surenos as a replacement for the violently. An act of violence that would After Surenos have arrived and gar- incarcerated brother.” This replacement appear to be unlikely or infrequent in nered the respect of and established a is often referred to as a carnale [broth- most communities is a way of life and a relationship with other criminals in the er]. common occurrence for the Surenos community, they are ready to become “This is business,” the Sureno said, and the Mexican Mafia. involved in many different types of “and that’s why we are everywhere As explained by a Sureno, any criminal activity. now.” “SUR”—who he described as a Most Surenos are career criminals While conducting criminal activity in “Soldier Under Recognition”—is obli- and are able and willing to commit any the new and often naïve communities, gated to do whatever he is told to do to type of crime to make money. the Surenos function under one simple further the goals of the Surenos. Generally, Surenos will become rule: Do whatever you need to do to This same Sureno explained that involved in drug activity, stolen vehi- accomplish the goals of the Surenos, killing a person on behalf of the cles, identity theft and associated but just make sure you can justify it. Mexican Mafia is expected if a person crimes including fraud and extortion. It is important to remember that if a wants to be considered a strong soldier In order to be successful, Surenos Sureno is arrested in a community and and has hopes of becoming a validated often will bring several Sureno mem- incarcerated in the local jail or correc- member of the Mexican Mafia. bers, commonly referred to as a “crew,” tional facility, he is expected to contin- He added that when a Sureno kills into the community. The crew will ue to conduct himself in a Sureno man- another person, there are three levels of work under the direction of a leader ner to include committing crimes for death: chosen and sent to the new location by the gang while in custody. And a Level #1: Do it quick and do it close. a Sureno gang member with high Sureno must always remember and act Level #2: Do it quick, do it close, authority, typically referred to as a according to this unwritten Sureno but do it real good. Leave no doubt that “shot caller.” The crew leader will man- motto: Unorganized violence causes the person being killed disrespected the age the criminal operations and will mayhem. Organized violence causes funnel proceeds from the illegal activity respect. 

Sureno financial matters: It is difficult to predict or estimate the amount of illegal revenue that is generat- ed by members of the Surenos or to determine the origin or path of the money. Some Surenos and Mexican Mafia members may have access to large amounts of money, yet the norm would be for a Sureno to have lim- ited access to large amounts of currency. Often, money that is generated through illegal criminal activities is spent on drugs or on maintaining the gang lifestyle.

12 For Law Enforcement Only SSuurreennoo GGaanngg AAccttiivviittiieess AAccrroossss tthhee RRoocckkyy MMoouunnttaaiinn RReeggiioonn

money, not just protecting a barrio or BY BRIAN NOVOTNY turf. They continue to have ties to RMIN CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE ANALYST their original communities but may n May 5, 2008, a Sureno 13 enforcement dealing with them on a not live there if more money can be Ogang member was shot and local level. Often times, local agen- made by moving to another state. killed by officers from the Blackfoot cies arrest a gang suspect for crimes In some cases, the Surenos may (ID) Police Department following a in their community and fail to look direct specific members to locations chase and fight with officers. After at the big picture in terms of why to “set up shop” for the gang. These the fatal shooting, members from the that particular gang member is in members are often long time mem- suspect’s Sureno gang bers who hold rank with- threatened to retaliate in the gang and have against officers and their instant credibility with families. local gang members. In The events revolving addition, these same around the shooting and members may come from its aftermath highlight larger cities and become how gang expansion the proverbial “big fish in across the RMIN region a little pond.” Money is no longer only a “big generated by these expan- city” problem. The Sureno gang has sion gangs is typically spread across the region like a their community. What other crimes funneled back to the larger organiza- plague and it is through the sharing are gang members committing for tion -- the Mexican Mafia, for exam- of intelligence that law enforcement the gang? If gang members aren’t ple. can work together to combat the local, when did they come to the Surenos have been documented in Sureno expansion. community? every RMIN state. The largest num- Sureno gangs, like so many other With gang mobility, the need to bers have been seen in Arizona, New gangs, have operated across the share information is more vital than Mexico, Nevada and Idaho. They region for many years with law ever. Gang members such as the have begun to expand into the Surenos are now focused on making remaining states but additional intel-  

For Law Enforcement Only 13 ligence is needed to confirm exact Utah – Sureno gang members stabbing and beating a man in May numbers and locations. arrested as part of Operation 2008. For example, in Wyoming, the Community Shield, a comprehensive Arizona – Surenos and Mexican Surenos have a large influence on initiative launched by ICE in 2005 to nationals have been integrated in Hispanic gangs in the Cheyenne area disrupt and dismantle transnational prison yards over the past several but in terms of numbers they are not violent street gangs. This multi- months. Isolated incidents have as large as in other cities. It is also agency operation targeted violent occurred but the Mexican Mafia still difficult for an accurate number to be street gangs and their criminal asso- controls the Hispanic prison inmate determined when agencies in differ- ciates in 53 cities across 28 states. population. Nearly 50 Mexican Nationals ent states document Surenos in vari- Federal Prison – Mexican involved in gang activity across Utah ous manners. For example, Sur 13, Mafia/Surenos have assaulted vari- County and in Ogden, Utah, were Sureno 13, Sur X III, and Sureno ous Paisa inmates and it is possible arrested. Thirteen each can be a Sureno gang that the Paisa and Border Brothers but shows up differently in database Idaho – Jerome, Idaho investigat- may form an alliance to protect searches. Another issue is that a ed a series of shootings between Sur themselves from EME and Surenos. Sureno is not limited to a “Southern 13 and Norte 14 gang members in Additional intelligence/analysis is California” gang member only. June 2008. being sought to confirm this. Highlights of Sureno activity Wyoming – a 19-year-old with across the RMIN region include but Sureno gang ties was charged with are not limited to: attempted second-degree murder for

About the author… Brian Novotny is a criminal intelligence analyst with Rocky Mountain Information Network, conduct- ing criminal intelligence work on gang/illegal activity in the eight RMIN states. Prior to joining RMIN, Novotny served as a paralegal/bureau chief with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and as an instruc- tor in the paralegal program at Long Technical College. A graduate of Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Novotny is a Civilian Reserve with the Arizona Department of Public Safety, currently with the State Gang Enforcement Task Force. He is a member of numerous gang associations across the nation and serves on the board of directors of the Arizona Gang Investigators Association.

14 For Law Enforcement Only TThhee RRiissee ooff SSuurr 1133

EME and gang members from BY ANDREW EWAYS, SUPERVISOR, CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION SECTION MARYLAND STATE POLICE Northern California who adopted the name Nuestra Familia (NF). For decades, law enforcement area have documented a growing By the late 1970s, the officers in Southern California population of Sureno gangs—the Californian city of Bakersfield have seen the transformation of largest two being Mara was roughly the dividing line independent Hispanic varrios into Salvatrucha and 18th Street. between the Nortenos and the a more unified group collectively Although East Coast Latino Surenos. The varrios or gangs on known as the Surenos. This col- gangs often mirror the Sureno each side of the line were expect- lective, also known as South hierarchy on the West Coast, the ed to follow the edicts of EME or Siders or Southern Mexicans, and East Coast has a unique and often NF. sometimes called Southern United misidentified stand alone, with To show their allegiance to Raza (SUR), was originally independent Sureno gangs gain- EME, Sureno gangs adopted the formed by the Mexican Mafia ing strength from a distant third color blue and incorporated the prison gang with the idea that a place. This gang is known only number “13” into their names. degree of order and cooperation by the generic name Sur 13. Established varrios like Florencia, could be introduced to neighbor- La EME used the number “13,” Tortilla Flats and Frogtown began hood gangs that had been battling representing the thirteenth letter marking their territory with the for generations. Together, the var- of the alphabet, as a symbol of identifiers F 13, CVTF 13, and rios were stronger and more pow- their organization. Members also FTR 13, signifying the birth of erful. displayed their affiliation by the Sureno gang identity. Terms On the East Coast, Sureno wearing or carrying blue ban- such as Sureno, Trece and Sur 13 gangs first received widespread danas while incarcerated came to be generic representa- attention in the late 1990s after a (Morales, 2006). tions of a gang or gang member’s series of high profile crimes by EME recruited largely from the affiliation with La EME and that members of Mara Salvatrucha in Southern California varrios—a the gang member was from the Baltimore/Washington metro- distinction that came to define Southern California. politan area. In the years since, them in the late 1960s when a Since the emergence of Sureno law enforcement officers in that violent conflict emerged between  

For Law Enforcement Only 15 gangs as a unified group, many metropolitan area, Sur 13 operates largest gangs in the members have left Southern as independent geographically Baltimore/Washington metropoli- California for other parts of the based gangs with little or no hier- tan area. Sur 13 members are country in search of social change archy, rank structure or regional involved in crimes ranging from or other opportunities both legal interaction. Each Sur 13 set illegal drug sales to homicide and and illegal (Egley and Ritz, claims its own territory and com- their numbers continue to swell. 2006). With this migration, mem- mits its own criminal activities If Sur 13 remains under the radar bers of rival varrios have found independent of other Sur 13 sets. of law enforcement officers, the themselves thrown together in Young Sur 13 members who gang will continue to grown small groups. have been interviewed by capital unabated in the shadow of other Their common bond drew for- area law enforcement officers nationally recognized Sureno mer enemies closer: They were all seem to have little understanding gangs. Surenos. The perceived need for of their Sureno roots and have no References: self-protection or to work together direct or indirect contact with Morales, G.C. (2006). Varrio Warfare: to commit crimes drove these EME. Many have spent little or Violence in the Latino Community. San groups to organize as gangs who no time in L.A. Others have come Antonio: Munguia Printers, Inc. identified themselves as Sur 13. to the United States from Mexico Egley, Arlen Jr. and Ritz, Christina E. (2006). Highlights of the 2004 National This trend was first noticed by already claiming membership in Youth Gang Survey (Report #01) Office law enforcement officers in Texas Sur 13. of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency and other parts of the southwest- Anecdotal evidence suggests Prevention: U.S. Department of Justice. ern United States and gradually that despite being only loosely spread across the country. related to the West Coast Surenos, In the Baltimore/Washington today Sur 13 is among the ten

About the author… Andy Eways is a sworn police officer currently holding the rank of sergeant with the Maryland State Police. He has served as a member and supervisor of Gang Enforcement Unit and is currently a Criminal Investigation supervisor, oversee- ing major investigations, tactical and field operations and helping coordinate gang intelligence between municipalities and the Office of the States Attorney. Sgt. Eways is a member of the East Coast Gang Investigator’s Association, International Latino Gang Investigator’s Association, New York Gang Investigator’s Association, New Jersey Gang Investigator’s Association, California Gang Investigator’s Association and MARGIN. He is a nationally known speaker on gang interdiction and investigation strategies.

16 For Law Enforcement Only TThhee SSuurreennoo IInnfflluueennccee iinn tthhee SSoouutthheerrnn CCaalliiffoorrnniiaa GGaannggss

usually have few links to each other. BY GABRIEL C. MORALES, FOUNDER AND VICE PRESIDENT They seldom wear unified colors in INTERNATIONAL LATINO GANG INVESTIGATORS ASSOCIATION Los Angeles as they do not want to bring attention onto themselves by Editor’s note: This portion of the cation. In Southern California, the law enforcement or their enemies. Surenos 2008 special report provides gang structure is very loose; the Outside of Southern California, you with an overview of individual make-up is more horizontal than the Sureños may wear blue to signify a Sureno gangs or “sets.” It may be of vertical hierarchy of many Midwest unified group especially at parties or use when a member of your agency and East Coast gangs. There are no funerals. Sureños from different and encounters a gang member from one generals or presidents, but there are sometimes warring gangs in Los of the following gangs. It recently veteranos and “shotcallers” who Angeles may come together in other has been confirmed that there are have influence within their gang. parts of the country. They may make more than 500 Hispanic criminal Most Sureños do not personally truces with other gangs, but when street gangs under the Surenos know any Mexican Mafia (EME) they grow large enough, will often alliance in California with an esti- members, but will still put “13” for declare war on them. In the mated 50,000 members. This the 13th letter “M” after their name California Department of overview does not include every as a matter of respect (Sur 13). Corrections, Los Angeles County Sureno gang but it does include the Sureños are not so much foot sol- Jail, and on the street in South well-established gangs. We are diers for La EME, but are more like Central L.A. they are often at war grateful to Gabe Morales for his per- a pool from which La EME will with African-American gangs. mission to reprint this material recruit the best and most feared ones. Sureño gangs in Los Angeles, which originally was published in Mara Salvatrucha 13, 18th Street, California, will often use their area 2006. Florencia 13, 38th Street and hun- code, such as 213, in gang graffiti. dreds of other gangs originating in Sureños in and out of Los Angeles Southern California are all Sureño “Sureño” means Southerner in may also don blue L.A. Dodgers gangs. These Sur 13 gangs often Spanish. When you are dealing with baseball caps as another identifier. Mexican-American or Chicano have established themselves in large There are also Sureño gangs in gangs, this term refers to Hispanic cities to small towns all across the other Southern California counties. gangs in Southern California. It also country and war for control of drug Again, not all Surenos or Sur 13 refers to those gangs who have trafficking with other local gangs. gangs get along in California, but copied the Sureño style outside of Law enforcement in these small when they go to prison they are Southern California or are part of the towns often do not initially recognize forced to band together on orders of “Sureño Movement.” These gangs these gangs as Sureños. Sur 13 gangs La EME and because of the higher differ in size, tradition and sophisti- are often rivals on the streets and  

For Law Enforcement Only 17 threat from other gangs such as some may be connected to the East Fence, according to veterano mem- Crips, Bloods, 415 and Norteños. L.A. groups, and others may have bers from White Fence. Kilroy Sureño migration has continued at just used the same name. Some MV Roybal is with Victory Outreach and a very fast pace throughout the and former EME members did not was recently in an accident. United States and even across inter- like the EME trying to tax them and national borders. There may be local telling them what to do in their own PRIMERA FLATS AND 4TH Sureño 13 gangs with no direct con- varrio. There was a green light put FLATS out by the EME on the MV's for nection to Southern California. Many These gangs were both historically their rebellion. The MV had to be have been developed by Mexican part of the Aliso Village government separated from EME and Sureño immigrants on the East Coast who housing projects. Primera Flats is of sympathizers in the L.A. County jail. spent little to no time in Los course more notable as far as street To date this green light has not been Angeles. Also, the Sureños or Sur 13 gangs are concerned. It lies approxi- lifted. One of the shotcallers for la gangs may have non-Hispanics as mately three miles east of the Los EME is Alfred “Chato” Sandoval members. It is not uncommon to see Angeles City Hall. This area also has from Arizona Maravilla, so there are Native-American, Caucasian, or street gangs that came into promi- some MV still loyal to the EME and other races in Sureño gangs. nence in the early 1940s. It also was Sureños. Sureños are widespread, can be originally built for military person- very violent, and are a very complex nel, but like Hazard, it became a group to deal with. WHITE FENCE low-income housing project. Primera One of the first barrios in Los Flats also had some bitter fights with EAST L.A. GANGS Angeles to form its own gang was some of the same gangs that Hazard "White Fence." The gang was called fought with. It, being closer to down- MARAVILLA that because of a white picket fence town, however, also had problems that ran along much of its territory with many of those downtown gangs. The Maravilla (MV) gangs, also near railroad tracks near the Los Primera Flats, like Maravilla, have called varrios, cover a large part of Angeles River and downtown. WF's fights with street gangs within their East Los Angeles and are broken up original barrio is all of Boyle own turf. into various cliques such as Hoyo Heights and WF is still strong along Mara (the "Hole" because of the low- Lorena Street. They allegedly used to ered terrain it sat in), Ford Mara HAZARD have cliques throughout the San (after Ford Blvd.), Arizona Mara (a The government housing project Gabriel Valley and Northeast L.A. main street in East L.A.), Marillana called Ramona Gardens is the oldest Maravillas' original barrio is farther Mara (MMV, sometimes confused type of housing in the East Los in East L.A. These two gangs have a with Mexican Mafia, they were Angeles area. It was built for the decades old rivalry, the longest ongo- around way before), Rock Mara families of the military in 1941. As ing feud in L.A. Both of these bar- (after a big rock in the projects), etc. World War II waned toward the end rios have lost extensive territory and Maravilla predates the Mexican of 1945, most of the military families are now midgets compared to their Mafia but at one time there were a had relocated and families that were former size, but in actual gang mem- lot of Maravillas in la EME. Joe either dependent on a stipend from bers, they are bigger than ever. There Morgan, a figurehead for the EME Social Security, or were a low- is some evidence that the Hazards, for over 20 years was well known in income family started moving in. Avenues, Toonerville, and Frogtown East Los and Maravilla. There are This "barrio" has actually two sepa- were all once cliques off of White other Maravilla gangs in the U.S., rate areas: Big Hazard and Little  

18 For Law Enforcement Only Hazard. Hazard got its name from a Criminal Force, named after a street (Baldwin Park), have been around for park at the end of Lancaster Avenue east of there in East L.A. street east of decades and have gang members very and Soto Street. There also is a street there in East L.A. involved in La EME. named Hazard. Big Hazard encom- SANGRA passes all the housing area and also HOYO SOTO the park. Little Hazard, is that area “Sangra” is a very old gang. A for- Deceased EME shotcaller from west of Soto Street along mer member, “Stumpy” Valencia, was Benjamin “Topo” Peters claimed this Norfolk and to the railroad tracks involved in a sanctioned homicide of varrio. EME Gilbert “Shotgun” across from Lincoln Park. EME member Alex “Moe” Ferrel. Sanchez (deceased) also lived there. Ferrel had been involved in the rape Robert “Robot” Salas (deceased His son “Ray-Ray” dropped out. Dec. ’04) was from Hazard and was of a woman outside of Sacramento involved in the first major EME con- soon after being paroled. This, com- VARRIO NUEVO ESTRADA frontation with the NF at San Quentin bined with his siding with the Nico Sept. 16, 1968. Old EME shotcaller in Hazard Gang also had trouble with Velasquez of the Folsom EME faction the Fed-BOP Adolf “Champ” Varrio Nuevo Estrada. The Estrada and against Joe Morgan of the San Reynoso is also from Hazard as is Courts Projects are just off of Quentin faction concerning the BGF Manuel “Cricket” Jackson. This varrio Olympic Street and just east of Soto war, put him “in the hat.” Velasquez has also been the focus of much vio- Street and west of Lorena. There are was later killed. lence over the years. EME David “Big many colorful murals in this project. VNE are not found EL MONTE FLORES much outside of the El Monte Flores is an old clique As explained by a Sureno, any “SUR”—who he Estrada Courts area. that dominated gang activity in the described as a “Soldier Under Recognition”—is Many other L.A. City of Monte for decades. El Monte obligated to do whatever he is told to do to fur- gangs are known even Hicks is another gang located in the ther the goals of the Surenos. outside of CA. Ray city. David Alvarez from EMH was a "Mundo” Mendoza SUR/EME rep at the L.A. county jail and “Eddie Sailor" who would pass green-light lists. Both Smilon" Gallardo from Hazard, "Pee- Gonzales claimed VNE and rolled on gangs declared war on North Side Wee" Aguire from the Aves, and the EME in the 70s. VNE has a repu- Monte and that clique was near the "Cowboy" Therrien from Big Basset tation for being EME informants. top of the EME green light list for were found guilty of killing "Rocky" EME Jimmy “Smokey” Sanchez is ok years. Many members of EMF are Luna who was from Hazard and an at the Bay. also EME members. Louie “Pelon” advisor on the movie by Edward Maciel was a EMF member involved James Olmos, “American Me.” Ana SAN GABRIEL VALLEY (SGV) in one of the RICO trails. He was Lizarga, another movie consultant, The San Gabriel Valley grew found to be involved in a large drug also was killed. They were angry at tremendously in the 1960s and ’70s. running group at the L.A. Co. Jail that her for snitching off a "dope house" Many families who were originally was busted up in “Operation Hard and "Charlie Brown" Manriquez for from East L.A. moved to the SGV. Candy.” Jo-Jo Perea was a “money not taking care of business and living Later, some from SGV moved out to man” for the prison gang. “Danger” like a bum when he got out. "Lives in the Inland Empire. Gangs like El Validivia was a EMF member who Hazard" depicts some of these people Monte Flores, El Monte Hicks, La would do hits for La EME and was and also includes a fairly new gang Puente, Basset Grande, Bolen Parque known to secrete a razor blade under called M.C. Force, or Michigan his dentures.  

For Law Enforcement Only 19 LA PUENTE 13 activists have resorted to painting Pomona is in L.A. County but closer La Puente or just Puente 13, is dark green ivy murals on major to the Inland Empire than it is to another large and old clica. They streets to keep the tagging down. L.A. so rivals with most varrios in have since broken up into smaller Gangs are very active in East Side the Inland Empire. Recent suppres- factions who do not always affiliate Bolen Parque. sion efforts by law enforcement have with one another. The Happy Homes reduced some of the violence. varrio (not to be confused with POMONA VALLEY GANGS Happy Town in Pomona) does affili- INLAND EMPIRE GANGS ate with La Puente on occasion. La Pomona is a large and isolated Puente can also be found in the city in the extreme East of the San The San Gabriel Valley grew Valinda Flats area where they have Gabriel Valley in L.A. County. It is tremendously in the 1960s and ’70s, intruded. Their rivals are Valinda home to the L.A. County Fair at the just as the Inland Empire did in the Flats gang members and in recent famous Ganesha Park. It is home to 1980s and ’90s. The greater L.A. years there has been violent gang many different various gangs. The area is very spread out; many fami- activities in this area. Deceased biggest and oldest is the Pomona 12 lies from East L.A. moved to the San Folsom EME Nico Velasquez was Street gang named after a street Gabriel Valley, and some from SGV from La Puente. there. It claims its origins back to the moved out to the Inland Empire past 40s. P12 is also called Sharkies and Fontana, Colton, and Rialto as land BASSET GRANDE at one time they had their own “offi- became more and more scarce, eat- Basset Grande, also known as Big cial” park which the city has tried to ing up valuable farmland, orchards, Basset, dates back to the 1950s. The reclaim back from the gangsters. and vineyards. turf boundaries of BG varrio are Their symbol is a shark with a “cher- The Ontario Black Angels are roughly Fransiquito Blvd. on the ry” in its mouth. P12 has had several infamous for being the clique of dis- north, Don Julian on the south, the members in the past in La EME. A graced EME shotcaller "Tupie" 605 Freeway on the west, and few P12 are in Oregon, Washington Hernandez’ varrio. They have junior Sunquist Blvd. on the east. It has had State, and even some in PA! cliques such as OVS or Ontario several members involved with La The secondary gang is Cherry Varrio Sur. One member recently EME. The Huguez brothers are simi- Ville, P12’s longtime rivals, which is tried to make his bones by attempt- lar to the Grajeda family in that at least from the 60s. Their territory ing to shoot at an Ontario cop. There many of their blood relatives have lies right up to P12 and centers are the Chino Sinners which "Tupie" been involved with La EME. A around Hamilton Park. Then there is got in trouble for when he stepped in member named “Cowboy” Therion P Michoacanos, E/S Carnales, W/S while the EME wanted a "green was involved in a RICO trial in L.A. Happy Town, Pomona Sur XIII who light" on them. His mother also got of EME members. Cowboy has are also rivals with P12 and many involved in EME politics that result- “Mafioso” tattooed across his have now moved to the La Puente ed in several of his family being abdomen and has now dropped out area or out to Las Vegas. There was a assaulted and in combination with of the prison gang. group which is now mostly defunct his insults about Joe Morgan and not called North Side Pomona. There is a making a phone call for the carnales BOLEN PARQUE 13 West Side Pomona who are also in (brothers), led to him being stabbed Bolen Parque, in the city if Washington. There is even a Hazard in federal detention. Daryl Castrellon Balwin Park, has several gangs in its clique, and a Dog Town clique, 18th had the Black Angels’ reins in area. Local citizens and community Street and MS clique there too. California Department of  

20 For Law Enforcement Only Corrections, but since parole has and a large letter "A" on his right presence here are Florencia Trece picked up “the Bible.” There is still a arm, along with "Ontario" on the and King Boulevard Stoners (KBS). lot of money to be made in the fast back of his neck. Then there is the perpetual WSV growing Inland Empire! “Spider” Arriaga was an old EME enemy East Side Trece. We see a lot Back in Arizona in 1999, Officer members mistakenly killed a few of LA gang members moving into Dale Thrush identified, with help years ago by his crime partner the area and causing problems, 18th from a CI, a Black Angel member “Colorado” Arias from Colton (also Street being one of them. named Frank "Smoky" Alcala, as EME) during a robbery. Members OVS. He was wanted out of like Roland Berry have been NORTH L.A. GANGS California on a parole violation. He involved in disputes around had all the other gang members, Bloomas. Recently, there was a HIGHLAND PARK 13 from different gangs, scared of him police sting operation on EME oper- This gang is located in the area and thinking he was EME. Reports ating in the IE. Unfortunately, police just west of Pasadena. It has a high were coming in that he was taxing hit them too late so evidence was Hispanic population, and as the case other members, allegedly for the minimal. Word is, the EME carnales in many of the barrios, a small per- EME and was a suspect in a home at Corcoran and Pelican Bay found centage belong to HP13. They claim invasion where a stabbing occurred. out what was coming down, got origins going back to the early Alcala word 1940s. was a sus- out and pect in a When it comes to Sureno gangs, MS13 is not all mail AVENUES stolen the biggest, but by media accounts is the most stopped, vehicle violent in the U.S. today. which Northeast Los is an old region of pursuit just LA barrios. Its most famous, and then fled goes to perhaps most infamous gang is the on foot and two loaded pistols were show they have a better network than Avenues or Avenidas gang, which is left behind. That night he was in the we do! In Riverside, Casa Blanca, named after the numbered avenues parking lot of a Circle K, having just out in Rancho Cucamonga, the Cuca off of Figueroa. They themselves done a strong arm robbery on a 38th Kings, and Corona has various have several cliques such as 43rd Street gang associate. He was in the cliques, the oldest which centers Avenue and Cypress Avenues and process of carjacking the vehicle of a around 6th Street. did not get along at first but later joined together for convenience. The 38th Street gang member. Shots were Verdugo Gangsters are from San 43rd allegedly broke off of Hazards fired and law enforcement respond- Berdoo (San Bernardino). West Side and the Cypress allegedly broke off ed. Dale pulled in and was about to Verdugo is the predominant gang in Frogtown. The Avenues is a very exit the vehicle when "Smoky" drove the middle of the valley. The major large gang in numbers and been sub- the Dodge Ram right into the dri- cliques of WSV are 7th Street (CSL), ject to City/County Community Law ver’s door. Luckily, Dale was able to Sur Crazy Ones (SCO), and Little Enforcement and Recovery jump inside. Alcala then rammed the Counts. As a whole though, the (CLEAR). Alfred “Tigre” Salinas is door again. We put 16 rounds into entire Verdugo gang has a lot of from the Aves. EME member “Pee- the vehicle and would you believe he problems and is constantly being Wee” Aguirre is from La EME. His was only hit in the arm and butt! challenged by other gangs from brother “Lil One” had been causing These guys are very serious! Along mostly the Los Angeles areas. The problems in the L.A. Co. Jail. EME with other tattoos he had a large let- two that are currently showing a ter "B" on the back of his left arm Black Bob Ramirez (deceased Sept.  

For Law Enforcement Only 21 ‘05) claimed Aves and Canta Ranas. one point the largest and most pros- have also had a original clique called perous mission in a golden chain of Diablos. They started probably TOONERVILLE 21 California missions. The famous around 1970, in south Panorama rock-n-roll star Richie Valens was City. They, like many varrios in the Another old Northeast Los from Pacoima. Cheech Marin had a Valley, started as protection groups Angeles gang is Toonerville. well-known character in his early against the San Fer's. Blythe Street Timothy “Timo” McGee was a EME career, "Pedro de Pacas" (Pacoima). was very active and violent in the member from this varrio who was early 1990s going to war with other captured in Arizona Feb. ’03 and L.A. varrios. They also absorbed tag- involved in politics at the L.A. Co. SAN FER 13 ging crews to strengthen their num- Jail. Their relationship with Varrio San Fer is one of the oldest bers. Blythe St. is very violent. Frogtown is hard to follow. Some gangs and now has members who say Toonerville started Frogtown, have spread to the more affordable others say Frogtown started Antelope Valley and High Desert. VAN NUYS 13 Toonerville, others say they had Pacas at least 20 cliques sub-varrios, Barrio or Varrio Van Nuys is nothing to do with each other. Some with a minimum of 50 members, another old and traditional varrio in such as Pacas 13, the Valley. Their neighborhood is Pacas Flats, Latin around the high school campus and Surenos have many rivals and few allies. The Times, Project Delano Street in South Van Nuys biggest threat to the Surenos is the Nortenos, Boys, Criminals, which dates to at least the 1940s. who align themselves with a separate powerful Vaughn Street, etc. They are formally divided into North California-based prison gang, the Nuestra Familia. Latin Times appar- Side and South Side, but they are ently only claims mainly in the South Side and Delano Pacoima because Street. They allegedly started as a say Toonerville started The Rascals; of geography, but does not get along Pachuco Club and claim to have others say Frogtown did. This may with many of the other Pacoima actually participated in the Zoot Suit be evidence that the two are inter- cliques. Some of the cliques like Riots. Van Nuys has been invaded by connected. Then some say they all Vaughn Street may have started out MS and has had other varrios start in started off of White Fence. as a separate varrio, joined Pacoima, their neighborhood, like Vanowen ended up not getting along with Street, Haskells, Valerio Street. They PACAS 13 some Pacoimas, but refused to stop have held strong to the L.A. invasion claiming Pacoima. They are mainly in general, except for MS, which The San Fernando Valley has a divided into Boys and Locos cliques, claims the Van Nuys area as one of rich past history. It is located just which originally did not get along its original cliques. north of L.A.'s Hollywood and has with each other. San Fernando Valley many movie studios located in and In the North Hollywood/Burbank gangs will often write (SFV). around Burbank. It was a agricultural region, both Playboys and Carnales area that quickly became a suburban have started. The Playboys still claim area in the 1960s populated with BLYTHE STREET W/S, and the Carnales may already people from the growing L.A. Basin. claim North Side. Allegedly these Blythe Street is another varrio Carnales and the Granada Hills The San Fernando Mission was with a large veterano group which founded by Padre Junipero Serra in Harpys are aligned. Allegedly, some claimed the original Diablos clique. of these other varrios started out as the late 1700s. Its full name is San Many of the varrios in the Valley Fernando, Rey de Espana. It was at football teams in parks, such as  

22 For Law Enforcement Only Blythe Street, NHBZ, Langdon just north of this area. There have 60% were illegal immigrants. Colors Street, Columbus Street, and proba- been many disturbances between are often black and grey (Raider col- bly Reseda and Vineland Boyz. Black and Hispanic inmates in these ors), dark blue (to show support for Another varrios in this area is Bryant facilities. The Black and Brown riots SUR13), but they may wear red on Street in the Northridge area. This claimed two lives in 2006 with many the East Coast and beads as well. mostly well to do area was devastat- more injured. Just north of San Common hand signs are forming an ed by earthquakes and is now largely Fernando is Palmdale and Lancaster, “18” or thrown sideways “E” (for rebuilt. Bryant Street is very violent. where a CDC prison is located. Eighteen). Common 18th Street tats Frank Fernandez of the San include 18, XV3, XVIII, Diesiocho, CANOGA PARQUE Fernando Valley branch of the 666 (=18). Canoga Parque - Alabama Street Mexican Mafia was among 40 mem- The 18th Street gang has chapters is one of the oldest and most unique bers of La EME to be indicted by a on the North (Hollywood area), in varrios in the alley. They are from at federal grand jury in 1999 under the East L.A./County, and in South least the 1950s, and have a large vet- Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Central Los Angeles where their tra- erano group. They are rivals with Organization (RICO) Act. Fernandez ditional enemies are the Florencia 13 Barrio Reseda. Allegedly, they have had been taxing local gangs. He was gang. They also fight Black P-Stones one of the strictest initiation process- convicted in October of 2000. His (R20s) in South Central and in jail. es in the L.A. area. A CPA member wife, Petra Cecilia Gonzales, was They now have cliques in San Diego, has to go on a probation period for arrested in February of 2001. She has Las Vegas, Inland Empire, the Bay two years, and the ruling vet com- been arrested on suspicion of run- Area, Chicago, Texas Florida, and mittee is very picky. The whole way ning a mail and identity theft ring. even a clique in New York. They are you have to prove yourself, and the She is reportedly the mother of big in Portland, Oregon, and in veteranos are very strict. Canoga Dominique "Nick" Gonzales, a Washington state where they have a Park has a very large ratio of its Mexican Mafia member who also web site. They are seen in New members in state pens, with fewer on was also convicted in the RICO trial. Jersey where they fall under La Raza the street. Unida umbrella. They have whole towns claiming allegiance to them in The city of Glendale is west of WEST L.A. GANGS El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico the Valley and has a large population with large cliques in Mexico City DF of Armenians. Some are affiliated 18TH STREET and Tijuana. They even show a with a gang called Armenian Power This gang started on the West Side clique from Australia on their main 13 and there have been several of Los Angeles around 1965. It was 18th Street website! recent gun battles between these originally made up largely of second groups. Some residents in the Valley generation Hispanic immigrants. As have suggested succession for this the 18th Street gang began to battle MARA SALVATRUCHA area. There are actually physical with more established Chicano When it comes to Sureno gangs, mountains that seem to separate this gangs, they began to recruit outside MS13 is not the biggest, but by most area from the rest of L.A. The LAPD of the Hispanic community. ILGIA accounts is the most violent in the and L.A. County Sheriff's Office is estimates their size in 2006 to be U.S. today. The Mara Salvatrucha presently focusing on the area; they 20,000+ members in over 120 U.S. (MS) gang was originally made up have jurisdiction to crack down on cities. They are also big in Latin of mostly Salvadorans and originated crime and gangs. America. According to the in the Los Angeles area. During and There is also a L.A. jail facility Department of Justice, an estimated after the civil war that was going on  

For Law Enforcement Only 23 during the 1980s in El Salvador, Salvatrucha” simply means La Mirada St. Locos, The Magicians many Salvadorans migrated to the Salvadoran Gang. “Mara” means Club, Rockwood St., Armenian Pico-Union District around the area gang or group, and “Salvatrucha” Power (who claim 13 but will fight of McArthur Park, which has the slang for Salvadoran, hence the other Surenos), Mid-City Stoners, highest population density in the meaning Salvadoran Gang. and of course the large 18th Street United States outside of New York and Mara Salvatrucha gang. The MS did not consider them- City. Other neighborhoods that they selves Sureños for approximately 15 moved into in Los Angeles County years. Many of the older MS do not CLANTONE 14 were Westlake, Hollywood, San have any "13" markings, just "MS" There are many gangs on the Fernando Valley and East L.A. tattoos. Finally the Mara Salvatrucha Westside of L.A. in the Rampart When the MS first started out, joined the Sureño back in 1994, dur- District (see 18th Street and MS many of their members were called ing the Black vs. Brown riots in the briefs). 18th Street started in large “MS Stoners.” They had long hair Los Angeles County Jail system. part to defend itself from C14, and and would listen to loud heavy metal Several Mexican Mafia RICO sus- MS started in large part to defend music and would drive souped-up pects had strong ties to MS and it is itself from 18th St. Clantone 14 is muscle cars. A common MS hand- now common to see MS13. Their one of the very few Sureño gangs sign is the index finger that has a 14 in front and pinky finger held up. of its name which Some of the members Surenos always remember and act according to this stands for the street on were also into Satanism unwritten Surenos motto: Unorganized violence causes which they started. and were involved with a mayhem. Organized violence causes respect. Gang members were Salvadoran National grandfathered into Guard Unit called Sureños and allowed "Santanas." There is another MS original colors were black from their to keep the 14 because they predated clique called "Sailor's" allegedly Santanas roots, but they will also La EME and NF, 13 vs. 14 conflict. started by former military members. wear blue and white colors, which Clantone has been recruiting again Allegedly many MS were initially match the Salvadorian flag. On the lately and on the net. members of soccer teams. Later, they East Coast they often wear blue and evolved into a full-fledged gang, in white beads. The MS have started HARPY’S part, to protect themselves from the taxing street vendors, prostitutes, According to varrio legend, 18th Street gang that was nearby and small businesses, and street level Harpy’s gang started off as a football victimizing them. drug dealers working in their turf. team. They fight 18s. This is how Mara Salvatrucha Failure to pay will most likely result was originally translated from in some type of violence. Mexicans, Spanish to English by law enforce- Guatemalans, Hondurans, and other PLAYBOYS ment when they first learned of this Central Americans may join MS, but Westside Playboys started on the violent gang. “Mara” meant gang, not exclusively. corner of Pico Blvd and Fedora St. "Salva" was for El Salvador, and They were originally a car club in "trucha" for beware. However, it TEMPLE ST. the mid-50s called "Latin Playboys turns out that many MS gang mem- Car Club" and also have South Side Temple Street started in the 1920s. bers and the Central American com- Playboys faction. Playboys use the Other gangs in West L.A. are W/S munity are in agreement that “Mara Playboy bunny as a symbol, not to Crazys, Diamond St., Big Top Locos,  

24 For Law Enforcement Only be confused with Playboy Crips or County. The F13s are heavily away from this area to move to other Midwest groups that use the same involved in drug dealing and have jurisdictions or states. Compton symbol. been courted by the EME for many gangs are notoriously violent! Black years. “Topo” Garcia is an EME gang (Crips and Bloods) vs. Brown VENICE 13 shotcaller. This gang has been found gangs have feuded for years. EME as far away as the East Coast. The Phillip “Blackie” Segura claimed Old EME Veterano “Rube” Soto is F13 has been found in Mexico, and Clover but also grew up in Compton. from Venice. So were former EME all over the West Coast, especially in He is mentioned in BOP disturbances “Psycho Mike” Gaxiola and Luis Southern California, parts of Oregon, many times. Talamantes. Venice 13 are fighting and is also very active in Culver City and Blacks as well. On Nov. 30, 1996, a Los Angeles Washington. Sheriff’s deputy responded to a dis- SOUTH SIDE L.A. GANGS turbance call. Once he arrived, he 38TH STREET saw a suspect, from Compton Varrio FLORENCIA 13 The F-13 has a long running feud Segundo, fleeing the scene. He gave chase on foot and when he came into The Florencia 13 is the second with the hated 18th Street gang with contact with the suspect, a struggle biggest Hispanic gang in L.A. and dozens of deaths attributed to the occurred. The suspect shot the strongest in South Central L.A. along feud between these two major deputy several times; one shot broke Florence Avenue between the I-110 groups. Florencia and 18th Street the deputy’s arm, causing the officer and I-710 freeways. This area is have always been rivals but the situ- to drop his service weapon. The sus- located very close to the flashpoint ation got worse when the 18s started pect picked it up but accidentally of the L.A. Riots and the F13 were a South Side clique around the late discharged it and shot himself in the heavily involved in looting. They 1980s. On December 1, 1996, four leg. He was later apprehended. The have battled with many of the larger Florencia gang members were gang member was a CDC parolee Crip sets surrounding their varrio gunned down by rival members of and Three-Strikes candidate. including Grape Street and the East the notorious 38th Street gang of Coast Crips. There have been many “Zoot-Suit” fame. The old 38th Some of the Hispanic gangs in deaths based on a 2005 false rumor Street gang has taken the Western Comptone (CPT) are Tiny Gangsters, of a F13/EME dope rip-off by the territory of Florencia and Barrio Tiny Locos, 70s, 117s, Crips. Their theme song is Mojados which is nearly gone. 125s, 131s, 155s, Varrio Largo “Florence” which is an old 1950s 36s, Varrio Segundo, Varrio Tres, song by the Paragons. Florencia COMPTON-SOUTH GATE- Barrio Pobre, and of course, Tortilla allegedly started near Florence and NORWALK AREA GANGS Flats. Atlantic and at one point claimed all of Florence Street from Inglewood to The California Three Strikes law LYNWOOD Santa Fe Springs. They are very has been enforced quite often com- Nearby Lynwood has several large and have many cliques in South pared to some other states like cliques including the CPT- 131s L.A., Huntington Park, South Gate, Washington where it is on the books which spill over into its city as does Paramount, Downey, Bellflower and but not used that often. This fact Barrio Los Padrinos. There is a fairly more. They have clicked up other combined with the L.A. County large gang called “Kansas Street” gangs and crews to fill their ranks. Sheriff’s takeover of law enforce- and one called the “Paragons.” There Florencia has many cliques outside ment duties in the city of Compton is a Rebels 13 clique. A member of L.A. including some toward Orange has forced many gang members “Young Crowd” killed an officer in  

For Law Enforcement Only 25 recent years when officers responded DOWNEY roundup, every single one was a to a shots fired call at a party house The Downey Boys were made Spanish surnamed individual! and YC members opened fire. The famous in the pre-Zoot Suit Riot During the time leading up to the YC suspect who killed the officer incident of Downey Boys vs. the trial and for two weeks into the trial, was Samoan. Young Crowd has been 38th Street gang. On the night of Leyvas and his co-defendants were at war in the past with the Lynnwood August 1, 1942, a zoot-suiter named not allowed to change their clothes Dukes. The Dukes have been at war Henry Leyvas and other members of by order of the trial judge, Charles with “Rude Boyz,” also called the 38th Street gang were involved in Fricke. The district attorney rea- “Lynwood Mob.” a fight with another group of pachu- soned, and Judge Fricke agreed, that cos at the Williams Ranch by a the jury should see the defendants in BELL GARDENS & SOUTH lagoon. Later the next morning, a the zoot suits, which were obviously GATE man named José Díaz, a member of only worn by "hoodlums." During Bell Gardens and South Gate have the Downey Boys, was found bleed- the trial, 22 of the 24 co-defendants, Sinaloan Cowboys, Sinaloan ing and unconscious on a road near including Leyvas, were tried togeth- Cowboys often drive four-wheel the lagoon (later named the Sleepy er. This entire incident is document- trucks and may have a Brahma bull Lagoon by a reporter). Díaz later ed in the 1981 movie by Luis Valdez, decal or one of their state decals in died. “Zoot Suit,” starring Eddy Olmos as the window or a lasso around the The the “pachuco conscience” of Henry. rear view mirror. Anything that sym- autopsy bolizes their way of ranchos or out- revealed law life. They wear cowboy clothing that Díaz As is the case with any or all gangs, a gang investigator and like a lot of gold, chains with was drunk should never say ‘never’ and never say ‘always.’ marijuana leafs and sometimes at the time images of their narco-santo Jesus of death Malverde. The Sinaloans are often and that his death was the result of Another gang in the Downey area the distributors of black tar heroin, blunt head trauma. Though one med- and also Paramount is called cocaine, and marijuana. Rookstown ical examiner stated that Diaz’ “Dogpatch.” Brown Nation is closely in Bell Gardens has caused a lot of injuries were consistent with that of tied to Dogpatch. A member of this problems lately. This gang often being hit by a car, Henry Leyvas and gang recently killed a member of poses, throwin’ up the “R” for 24 other members of the 38th Street Tortilla Flats. The victim Michael Rookstown, in Teen Angels maga- gang were arrested and charged with “Wreck” Roybal was the nephew of zine (gang mag). Bell Garden Locos the murder of Díaz. Led by the local Adolph “Champ” Reynoso, longtime were big in Sunnyside, Washington tabloids, a public outcry for "justice" EME figure still incarcerated in the and now some have moved to and vengeance against the zoot suit- federal prison system. Yakima. The Playboys & Playgirls ers caused the Los Angeles Police EAST SIDE PARAMOUNT 13 13 have a clique in Bell Gardens. Department to conduct a roundup of Probably the biggest gang in this Another gang in this area is known over 600 people on the nights of area is East Side Paramount. It is just as “Krazy Ass Mexicans” or August 10th and 11th. Charges south of Downey. ESP has a clique “KAM.” Both street gangs are big included suspicion of assault, armed in Mt. Vernon, WA and can be found into the production of methampheta- robbery, etc., and 175 people were in other areas. Paramount has dealt mine. held on these charges. Of the 600 with gangs rather successfully with plus people arrested during this its Paramount Gang Prevention  

26 For Law Enforcement Only Program that is used in schools in Orange County. It has ties to F- 14th St. Dukes, 17th Street Tiny many areas. Just east of Paramount is Troop. Former EME shotcaller Rene Locos, 19th Street, Barrio Viejos. the city of Bellflower. “Boxer” Enriquez is from Arta. Some of the WSL cliques are Emero “Huero Shy” Shyrock claims Cyclones, Summit/Canal, Corner BELLFLOWER & HAWAIIAN Arta as does Sammy Villalba. Boys, and Termites. GARDENS Bellflower has a gang called LONG BEACH-LONGOS RANCHO SAN PEDRO “Varrio Bellflower Locos” and there Long Beach has a wide variety of The RSPs have had a history of is a BGL clique in Yakima County, gangs, some of which include several violence in the area. They appear to Washington. “Brown Nation” is Long Beach Crip sets (seen in rap be aligned with the Westside Longos. another big gang and has been target- music with Snoop Dogg and Warren Rancho San Pedro has been at war ed by recent injunctions. Nearby, G), Sons of Samoa, Tiny Rascal lately with the Dodge City Crips. Hawaiian Gardens was the varrio of Gangsters, Eastside, Westside, and Turf areas controlled by RSP overlap EME founder “Huero” Flores. Northside Longos. Gangs in this area between LAPD-Harbor Precinct and are well known for their violence the LASD Carson Station. Gangs in LAKEWOOD and Brown vs. Black and Asian con- this area caused so much trouble that flicts have arisen with changing eth- local communities started to organize This area of South L.A. County nic demographics. The Tiny Rascal “Community Reclamation” projects just above Long Beach also has its Gangsters, who started off in the and seek street injunctions against fair share of Sureños. Long Beach area, have been at war gang members so the community with other Longo gangs for years could literally “take back the NORWALK and are still on the EME green light streets.” Some community members Varrio Norwalk, sometimes called list. Several Skinhead and Aryan fac- and politicians in some San Pedro “The One Ways,” is a large and old tions live in this area but keep a very and Wilmington neighborhoods have gang dating from around the late low profile. Eastside Longos and sought to succeed from L.A. Similar 1940s or early ’50s. They have a Westside Longos have had times of efforts have been tried in the NWK Chicos clique. Both have been conflict and times of peace. Many of Hollywood and San Fernando areas. at odds with Carmelas. Another gang these gangs have had gang suppres- in this area are called “Chivas” sion injunctions by Long Beach PD, LA RANA which also runs into the cities of which has a Gang Unit of 42 detec- One of the old EME vets, Manuel Artesia and Downey. There is a gang tives and sergeants, and with assis- “Gordo/Tati” Torres, was from La called, ironically, “Peaceful Valley.” tance from other agencies including Rana. He was killed in April 2005 by Other gangs are “8-Ball Posse” and CDC and County Probation. This is EME members at the ADX-BOP in “Canta Ranas,” not to be confused good for the city of Long Beach, but Florence, Colorado. The large with “La Rana.” Several members of what often happens is these gang- Grajeda family is also from La Rana VNWK have been on the EME green sters leave town and end up in other which is located in the South Bay light list. cities and start cliques, as seen with area. They have been very involved Longos, TRG, Asian Boyz, Insane in La EME in the past, but most Crips, and Rollin 20s Crips, etc. ARTA appear to be on the outs now except Varrio Arta in Artesia, California, Some of the ESL cliques are Senon Grajeda. began in the late 1950s and is actual- Niteowls, Santos, Chicos, Malditos, ly in L.A. County but borders near 8th Street-Latin Times Playboys,  

For Law Enforcement Only 27 CARSON 13, HAWTHORNE 13, accompanying fraction of Latino he was still sitting in the driver's seat AND GARDENA 13 bangers in the community) and there of the car." Mares' crime spree began One problematic gang in Carson is friction with the more established when he and Zatarain armed them- and areas that LAPD Harbor Black gangs. Inglewood 13 has been selves with assault rifles, borrowed a Division patrols is the Harbor City fighting with Queen Sreet. Bloods, woman's car and drove to rival-gang Boys. This gang is also known as Hawthorn Pirus, and Legend Crips. territories. Their apparent motive Varrio Harbor City. This group was They even had to cancel Black was to retaliate for the death of one hit hard with an injunction by the History Month and Cinco de Mayo of their gang friends the night before. L.A. City Attorney’s Office. The celebrations at the high school in the Mares and Zatarain evidently saw abate injunction notice outlawed acts past because of racial conflicts-- two men walking down Centinela of murder, narcotics trafficking, con- Inglewood 13 vs. Black gangs and Boulevard near Culver City, exited sumption of alcohol, assault, use of Inglewood 13 also bragging that they the car and opened fire. One of the dangerous weapons, vandalism to are “cop killers.” As we have seen victims, an 18-year-old Santa include graffiti, blocking traffic, con- lately, many Sureño gangs have tar- Monica man named Gerardo Sernas, gregating in the areas they were ter- geted law enforcement! was killed; the other escaped. Brown rorizing, wearing gang clothing, dis- and his partner, Francisco playing signs which denoted Dominguez, heard the shots narcotics peddling, possessing We hope you see that Sureños are wide- and spotted Mares' vehicle beepers and cellular phones in spread, can be very violent, and are a moments later, giving way to a drug areas, yelling out gang complex group to deal with. police chase. The chase ended jargon, blocking the sidewalk, near Fox Hills Mall, when encouraging vehicles to go Mares allegedly crashed the car through their drug areas. and Zatarain started shooting. In the Some of the varrios in the City of LAPD Officer Brian Brown was confusion of the gun battle, Mares Carson are Dominguez 13, T-Flats, gunned down in November, 1998, by slipped from the driver's seat, stole a La Loma, Varrio Keystone, and an Inglewood 13 gangster. Brown's taxi from a nearby gas station and Varrio Carson. killer, a gang member named Oscar led another high-speed police chase Hawthorne has been known for a Zatarain, was slain by police only to Los Angeles International Airport. predominately Black population, but moments after a bullet from He crashed the cab into two cars and, Hispanics have been increasing and Zatarain's assault rifle struck Officer again, fled the vehicle with police as we often see, a small, but very Brown in the head. Zatarain’s crime right behind him. Mares turned disruptive, percentage of Hispanic partner, Jaime Alejandro Mares, 23, around at police, shouted something gangsters. Carson 13 has had past faced the death penalty. Mares was (and) pointed what police believed to hostilities with E/S Wilmas. Lil accused of driving the car from be a gun. At that point in time, Los Watts is a small but violent gang which Zatarain fired, and therefore Angeles police officers ... shot there. Another gang in this area are can be held equally culpable under (Mares) numerous times. Mares sus- Lil’ Mobsters. Gardena 13 is fairly the law. Deputy District Attorney tained wounds to his back, leg, strong. Danette Meyers described the cop shoulder and forehead, but he lived. killing as an unfair fight. "Brown The family of Officer Brown is still didn't have a chance," she said, grieving. INGLEWOOD 13 "because his seat belt was still on, This neighborhood, like many oth- his gun was still in his holster, and ers, is turning more Latino (with the  

28 For Law Enforcement Only LENNOX Westside, and Eastside Wilmas. NSR has a total membership of Lennox is a fairly large gang that These different cliques have been about 120 members, however at any is centered just east of the LAX known to shoot at each other. There given time the active (unincarcerat- Airport. Lennox gang members have are several EME members from ed) membership is closer to 30. been targeted for injunctions, but Wilmas varrios. For instance, a kite While NSR is predominantly again many of them just leave the confiscated from EME members at Hispanic, membership includes other area to start doing crime in another New Folsom stated, “I saw Big races. area. According to law enforcement Sleepy from Wilmas at Chino (CIM), NSR started in the 1960s as Los gang specialists in Sonoma County, he gives serious regards.” Tules, a named derived from the California, Lennox 13 had a reported plant known as Tulipanes that was a presence since 1998, starting with a TORRANCE predominant plant in North Redondo trio of brothers who moved up from Eastside Torrance gangs have before the area was developed for L.A., claiming Compton Varrio been involved in many local gang residential use. As Los Tules grew Lennox 132nd Street. Recently the wars in the past including against T- old, moved away or died off, the presence, membership, and activities Flats in Carson. Many ESTs were gang simply became known as of Westside Lennox 13 have taken originally from 204th Street. Redondo 13 or North Side Redondo. off. Large "in your face" tagging in During the 1980s, NSR developed a Norteno neighborhoods, and assaults clique, Los Nietos, which was the LAWNDALE 13 on other members of different third generation of members. Sureno sets, have set this group apart Lawndale 13, primarily a Hispanic Members would identify themselves from other main Sureño sets in the turf oriented gang, has been NSR’s on NSR graffiti with LNS (Los Santa Rosa, California area (Puro chief rival since the ’70s. Many cur- NietoS). Around the middle of 1996, Sureno Cholo, and Varrio Sur Loco). rent members of either gang do not as Los Nietos members were reach- They have been fighting Hawthorne know why they don’t get along. The ing adulthood, a second clique Pirus. rivalry has been past from generation emerged claiming to be Los to generation, like the “Hatfield and Diablitos (DBS). These members McCoy” feud. Los Compadres clique TEPAS 13 were younger and less respectful. in Lawndale are alleged to have Los Diablitos clique was not looked Tepas has been a very active gang. EME ties. Tepas 13 has also gone to war with on too highly by the older genera- 18th Street. Tepas 13 and Inglewood tions because they were harder to 13 have fought against Lennox. NORTH SIDE REDONDO control and brought about a lot of These two gangs have been rumored (NSR, REDONDO 13, R13, police attention. to be called upon by the EME to do NSR 13) In 1990, North Side Redondo was enforcement toward Lennox which Redondo has had its share of hard- declared a violent street gang under has been on a green light list in the core gang members, as early as the 186.22. In 1996 the City of Redondo past for not paying taxes to the 1960s. “Willy-Boy” Geovia was in Beach petitioned for a civil injunc- Mexican Mafia. A Lennox gang La EME. North Side Redondo is a tion against 20 named members and member was allegedly killed in primarily Hispanic turf oriented 40 John Does. The injunction has December of 1996 for this reason. street gang, claiming the entire city had a crippling effect on the visible of Redondo Beach. However, NSR congregating of gang members on gang members live primarily in what the streets of Redondo. Many mem- WILMAS (WILMINGTON) is referred to as North Redondo. bers now live and conduct their There is a Northside, Southside,  

For Law Enforcement Only 29 “business” outside of the city. “H.A.” in reference to the Harbor Ana, which has recorded more than Because of the impact of proactive Area, “Round Town,” “Redondo 200 gang-related killings in the past enforcement, the cliques are not as (R13),” “North Side Redondo decade! divided as they have been in the past (NSR)” and “King Harbor” to define In June, 2005, Peter “Sana/El and officers can frequently find sev- their location as in the picture of a Señor,” Ojeda, was arrested by eral generations “kicking it” together local gangster’s tats; Los Nietos authorities. Ojeda and 23 associates at known hang outs or parties. (LNS), Los Diablitos (DBS) or a of the Mexican Mafia were business- North Side Redondo has been in devil tat to show their clique. Brown savvy "shot callers" who used threats conflict with the gangs that share Town, Brown Pride, Sur 13, and and violence to lord over Hispanic common borders with NSR. Surenos have been seen on three street gangs and about 3,400 Redondo refers to Lawndale as members so far. Tags of Lil Watts Hispanic inmates in Orange County Loppdale or Clowndale and and Redondo have been shown Jail, according to a federal indict- Lawndale 13 gangsters as Lopps for together in Lawndale's turf, a sign of ment. Once, the career criminal disrespect. Other enemies of disrespect. “allegedly” tried to turn away from Redondo are Lil Mobsters, Lennox crime. In 1992, Ojeda unsuccessfully 13 (derogatory name: Kleenex). ORANGE COUNTY GANGS tried to broker a gang truce among Most recently, four NSR gang mem- local street gangs to stop a spree of bers awaiting trial on other crimes Orange County lies between Los drive-by killings. But two years later, (including 211/187 PC) in the Los Angeles and San Diego Counties in he was arrested again for possessing Angeles Men’s Central Jail, added Southern California. It has some very a handgun. He was sent back to Eastside Torrance to the list when beautiful land and neighborhoods prison for seven years. they got carried away with an EME and is famous for its amusement ordered regulation and killed the parks. It also has some gang activity F-TROOP Eastside Torrance gangster. All four in and around some of the poorer There are several large gangs in were convicted in that jailhouse neighborhoods and varrios. It is the area with various clicas like homicide. called Orange County because at one F-Troop. It was called F-Troop after While NSR is primarily always at time, it had vast orange orchards the TV series. This gang has multiple war with Lawndale 13, it has a which now are sprawling cities. clicas throughout the area including strong bond with Lil Watts, a pre- Many Orange County gangsters Santa Ana and in Anaheim. In the dominantly Hispanic turf oriented will sport the five-point star. late 1980s and early 1990s, many gang in Hawthorne. There are “mar- Norteno-Northern Structure also F-Troop cliques broke off and riages” between the two gangs. Gang wore this symbol with an entirely became independent. The Salvador graffiti is allowed by each gang in different meaning and is usually Park clique of FxT was overbearing the other’s turf and is even thrown above the shoulders. Orange County and controlling so many gangs that up together showing their allegiance. Sureno gang members will usually were associated with F-Troop wanted Lil Watts and NSR are “business” wear it below the shoulders and say nothing to do with them. Pete “Sana” partners and are frequently contacted it only stands for Orange County and Ojeda, long-time EME member who and/or arrested together. Their joint the star resembles the stem on top of recently got out of the Feds, was enterprises include narcotics, vehicle an orange. One of the bigger cities in rumored to be in the hat for not put- burglaries and vehicle thefts. Orange County is Santa Ana. No city ting in work; however, he again has Commonly displayed tattoos on in Orange County has suffered more been associating with members of North Side Redondo gang members: at the hands of gangs than Santa F-Troop.  

30 For Law Enforcement Only JEFFREY ST. SAN DIEGO AREA GANGS and they rival Logan gangs. Just east Jeffrey St.-Anaheim is near the of Sherman Heights is the Golden Hills community. Within this com- Disneyland theme park and there SHELLTOWN munity is the Lomas 26th Street have been several efforts to clean the Shelltown 38th Street (ST38th) area around J Street up, also referred gang. Lomas rivals Sherman gangs has a well-established rivalry with and has been rather quiet recently. to as Tijuanita because there are so Logan, a Hispanic gang which exists many Mexican nationals living there. just south of its location. Cross South of Sherman/Lomas area and There are other gangs nearby includ- Highway 15 overpass and you're into east of Shelltown is the Market ing Penguin City of Anaheim Blvd., Shelltown. Two separate gang sets Street gang. Shelltown and Market which got its name because many exist within this community: the Street gangs are separated by a large members’ parents of the gang Shelltown 38th Street; the other, cemetery. The primary rival of the worked at a local ice factory, and Shelltown Gamma Street Boys Market Street gang is Varrio Encanto Jungle City just south of the 91 (ST/GB S). They will associate and Locos (VELS) in the Encanto com- Freeway in Anaheim, in an area ally with each other, but often feud munity of San Diego. Encanto is sit- known as “The Jungle.” with each other as well. Primary uated just east of the Market Street area or east of Euclid Avenue, south 5TH STREET rivalry is Shelltown 38th Street vs. Logan sets because of their close of Highway 94. South and east of The 5th Street-Lopers around Encanto sits the Lomita Village area Main Street in Santa Ana and in proximity. The Gamma Street Boys' primary rivalry is with National City and turf for the rival, Lomita Village Garden Grove recently had a "green 70s (LV70s). South and east of that light" put on them by none other gang sets, which exist just south of their location and across Division is the Paradise Hills Community, turf than Pete "Sana" Ojeda, major EME for the Paradise Hills Locos (PHL) figure who has been in and out of the Street. Within the 38th Street area is a tagger crew that is working its way gang. PHL rival LV70, but ally with Federal system. The rumor was Varrio Encanto Locos. PHL also $5,000 is required to lift it. 5th Street into the gangster world. This crew is SE73 or (Southeast San Diego). It is rival all National City gangs, which gained some turf after a war with the sits just west of their community. now defunct gang called “Silver allied with Logan gang sets and Acres.” Its main rival is 17th Street. therefore rivals the Shelltown gang. They have primarily been victims, BARRIO LOGAN TOKERSTOWN 13 but that will likely change within a Some of the biggest gangs in the Fullerton-Tokerstown lies near short period of time. San Diego area are Barrio Logan several college campuses. FTT start- gangs. Barrio Logan sits next to ed in the 1940s in the Lemon Street SHERMAN Chicano Park which is filled with and Valencia Drive area of Fullerton. East of the Logan Community is murals painted underneath the There is Los Coyotes in Buena Park the Sherman Heights area. The Coronado Bridge which goes right which started as a bicycle club called Sherman Grant Hills Park (SM/GHP) over the park. Of course the majority “Momentos,” Mexican Posse and gang exists there. In early 1990s, a of its residents are not gang affiliat- Underhill Street Cyclones which second Sherman gang emerged, call- ed. Logan Heights is a community of started out as West Coast Kings. ing itself Sherman 20th Street. San Diego that is predominantly Varrio Cypress in Orange was part of Members initially feuded with Hispanic, just on the outskirts of the F-Troop; Barrio Chico in San Sherman Grant Hills Park, but that downtown area. Within that commu- Clemente will fight San Juan Boys eventually died out. They are not nity exists the Logan Heights Calle from San Juan Capistrano and West allied closely with one another. Their Treinta (LH30ta) gang, the Logan Trece in Westminster. closest allies are Shelltown gangs Heights Redsteps, the Logan Heights  

For Law Enforcement Only 31 33rd Street gang, and the Logan Macias Madriaga, was found guilty by requiring lower prices for drugs. Heights Trece gang. Within this area of demanding cash payments from Many of the identified members of are several "tagger" groups, includ- drug suppliers as tribute to the the gang are incarcerated in the ing ALS (Another Logan Soldier), Mexican Mafia, also known as La maximum-security Pelican Bay that associates closely with the vari- EME, for the phonetic Spanish pro- state prison in Crescent City, where ous Logan gang sets. Probably the nunciation of the letter "M." Madriaga served time. Another most well-known Logan gangs are Madriaga of National City was a EME tax collector on Surenos is the LH30ta and Redsteps, some of significant "made" or inducted rumored to have taken his place. which have close ties with the member of the Mexican Mafia, In January, 2005, Operation La Mexican drug cartel in Tijuana. prosecutors said. He sports the Mano Negra was launched. La Their exploits are well-documented; black-hand tattoo of La EME on his Mano Negra is Spanish for "the however, much of it is overstated. chest. black hand," one of the identifying A hired gunman from San Diego, Federal and state authorities were insignias of the Mexican Mafia. A David "C.H.-Popeye" Barron tipped off to Madriaga's operation prison guard, Jessica Chavez, was Corona, had over a dozen skulls, all in July, 1998, when they arrested among 37 people arrested after a believed to be hits, and the letter Mark Anthony Mendez, one of two-year undercover investigation "M" for Mexican Mafia tattooed on Madriaga's main gang or "crew" of the Mexican Mafia prison gang his body. He was killed by and its street-gang associates in ricocheting bullets after he San Diego. Authorities believe Sureños from different gangs may band made an attempt to assassi- that the involvement of a guard together for protection or work together for nate Tijuana newspaper with a prison gang was an isolat- criminal enterprises when they set up shop editor Jesus Blancornelas. ed incident, but “this case sends outside of Southern California. More recently, Marco a message to guards and “Pato” Quniones had employees in the prison system worked as a gunner for the AFO. members. Mendez began cooperat- that activities on behalf of the “Bat” Marquez from Del Sol had ing with investigators and led them Mexican Mafia will not be tolerat- been hiding out in the Tijuana area to Madriaga and dozens of other ed," said FBI supervisor Max for quite some time. There were methamphetamine traffickers in San Regula of the San Diego office. The rumors of his death by the Tijuana Diego County. Madriaga also was original target of La Mano Negra cartel; however, these may have implicated by Juan Carlos Lopez, a was Richard Buchanan, 50, a for- been an attempt by him to try and National City marijuana trafficker mer prisoner described by the FBI fool authorities. He is now in cus- who went to police the same month, as a high-ranking member of the tody. contending that Madriaga was gang. Charges, both state and feder- Another member of the Mexican demanding thousands of dollars in al, will range from possession and Mafia was sentenced in the summer payment as a "tax" to La EME. distribution of methamphetamine to of 2000 to 29 years and four months During the trial, experts testified conspiracy, kidnapping for extor- in prison for a conviction on that La EME exerts control over the tion, criminal street gang activity charges of extortion and distributing drug-trafficking world not only by and being a felon in possession of a methamphetamine. Frank “Chino” demanding payments and drugs, but firearm. In addition to the arrests,  

32 For Law Enforcement Only agents seized at least 35 firearms, There are Sureño gangs in other have developed by Mexican immi- more than seven pounds of metham- Southern California counties: Bakers, grants on the East Coast who spent phetamine and more than $36,000, Colonia Oxnard or Chiques in little time in Los Angeles. much of it acquired in the course of Ventura County; Santa Barbara 501, Also, the Sur gang may have non- 25 undercover purchases of weapons Indio, Calexico, the list goes on and Hispanics in it. It is not uncommon and drugs. on. to see one Native-American, White Remember, only a very small Again, not all Sur gangs get along kids, or other races in Sureño gangs. number of active and former mem- in California, but when they go to We hope you see that Sureños are bers of these gangs are connected prison are forced to get together on widespread, can be very violent, and with the cartel or EME and give the orders of La EME and because of the are a complex group to deal with. rest of their gang a sense of "notori- higher threat from other gangs, © 2006, ILGIA, All Rights Reserved; ety" they readily exploit. The media Crips, Bloods, 415, and Norteños. reprinted with permission. has portrayed these gangs as outra- Sureño migration has continued at a geously vicious, but those connected very fast pace throughout the United to the cartels don't come into the States and even across international U.S. very often. The locals feed on borders! their notoriety, using it to build Sureños from different gangs may stature. The Logan sets have actually band together for protection or work been rather quiet recently, and together for criminal enterprises involved in more money-making when they set up shop outside of operations than rivalry confronta- Southern California. There are local tions. Sureno 13 gangs with no direct con------nection to Southern California. Many

About the author… Gabe Morales, founder and current vice president of the International Latino Gang Investigators Association, gave RMIN permission to reprint the article that appears here. Morales recently was appoint- ed to the Washington Gang Study Group and serves as an advisor and consultant to many groups on gang issues. After serving with the U.S. Marine Corp, Morales worked at Folsom State prison as a corrections officer and then worked with youth in Los Angeles group homes and with gang members on probation. He has worked at the King County (WA) jail in Seattle for approximately 15 years in the Classification Section where he specialized in Security Threat Groups and is considered an expert on the subject. He is the lead Gangs Instructor at the Washington State Academy for police agencies and most corrections staff and has taught at numerous conferences around the country. He is author of two books, “Varrio Warfare: Violence in the Latino Community” and most recently, “La Familia – The Family: Prison Gangs Across America” and is currently producing “For Our Kids, For Our Community,” a video on gang prevention. His private company, Gang Prevention Services, assists Puget Sound (WA) service providers and local agencies including Job Corps, Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration and the Washington Department of Social and Health Services.

For Law Enforcement Only 33 SSuurreennaass:: FFeemmaallee GGaanngg MMeemmbbeerrss

male gang members. NATIONAL GANG INTELLIGENCE CENTER INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Male Sureños in Portland gen- erally refer to the females as SUREÑO GANGS oped Sureña subsets called “Jainas,” Spanish slang for DEVELOPING FEMALE Sureñas Locas that function “my bitch.” Sureñas are SUBSET ORGANIZATIONS interdependently within the viewed by Sureños as gang Sureño gangs are developing Sureño gang. Both of these property, and even the high- female subsets that have subsets are comprised of est-ranking female is subordi- female leaders appointed by wives, girlfriends, and other nate to the lowest-ranking the male leaders of the gangs. women who are “shared” by The identified sub- sets––Sureñas Locas, SUREÑA SUBSET STRUCTURE Southside Bitches, Sureñas Malditas, Prima Loca 13, and In each female subset, select Sureñas are charged Barrio Locas––are currently with organizing the subset, coordinating female partici- subordinate to male Sureño pation in Sureño activities, recruiting other females, gangs. However, as the lead- and in some cases, recruiting male Sureño associates. ership skills of Sureñas Sureñas in each subset are also actively involved in mature and their responsibili- hiding and transferring drugs and weapons for ties increase, they may devel- Sureños. Some females even attend Sureño meetings op the potential to split from where they voice opinions and participate in the plan- the Sureños and form inde- ning of gang activities. While they do not hold equal pendent gangs. rank with their Sureño counterparts, Sureñas partici- • The Portland Police Bureau pate in all types of criminal activities and are often (PPB) reports that in Portland, instrumental in organizing crimes that benefit both Oregon, local Sureño gangs their subset and the Sureño gang as a whole. Pas Robles Boys and - Source: Portland (OR) Police Bureau, 2008; FBI Seattle, 2008 Southside 13 each have devel-  

34 For Law Enforcement Only male. Like their male counter- Barrio Locas of the Barrio Bitches are subordinate to the parts, Sureñas Locas align with Locos. Each subset has Southside Devils, but have one and are rivals to other female between 8-10 members that female who oversees the subsets. Members of the female range in age from 12-22 years female subset. The Southside subsets partake in all criminal old. Both subsets are comprised Bitches participate in crimes activities committed by their of wives, girlfriends, and asso- committed by Sureño gang male counterparts. Sureños also ciates of Sureños. Female lead- members. use Sureñas as decoys to lure ers are selected by shotcallers2 RPD intelligence indicates that rival gang members for attack.1 and are referred to as either several females have been “manager bitches” or “Queen accomplices in burglaries and SOURCE AND CONFIDENCE bitches.” Female subsets in various acts of criminal mis- STATEMENT Seattle use MySpace.com to chief in the area. Sureño gangs, Information relative to female recruit new members and to including female subsets, con- Sureno subset groups was communicate with rivals and stitute 40 percent of the overall derived from national law allies.3 gang population in Rogers.5 enforcement contacts that have • The Rogers Police good to excellent access, in Department (RPD) in Rogers, 1 - PPB, telephone interview, April addition to open sources. The Arkansas, has identified at least 2008. FBI has high confidence in the one Sureña subset, the 2 - A shotcaller is an individual of reliability of the reporting from elevated status in a gang who dele- Southside Bitches, that is affili- gates to lower-ranking members and these sources. ated with an all male Sureño “calls the shots.” • According to FBI investiga- group, the Southside Devils.4 3 - FBI Seattle, telephone interview, tive information, there are at The Southside Devils and April 2008. least two active Sureña subsets Southside Bitches were found- 4 - FBI IIR 4 214 2208 08, January in Seattle attached to Sureño 2008 (UNCLASSIFIED). ed by a Sureño gang member 5 - RPD, telephone interview, April gangs: Sureñas Malditas of the who migrated to Rogers from 2008. Gangster Sureño Clicka, and California. The Southside

For Law Enforcement Only 35 OOffffiicceerr SSaaffeettyy

he biggest concern for you as a the stop and achieve their comfort search a female gang member. Use Tpolice officer when dealing with zone your judgment and follow department gang members is SAFETY. Always • furtive movements by gang mem- policies when checking female gang be cautious when dealing with gang bers should raise a caution flag, and members for weapons. members and their associates. A large may turn a contact from casual to It is also important to be aware of percentage of them will have high risk your nonverbal communication when weapons on their person or within • utilize contact and cover position making contact with gang members. their immediate area. Most gang so that at least one officer ia always Command presence is very important. members have been involved in vio- watching the person(s) being contact- If gang members see an officer utiliz- lent confrontations, with some having ed. ing poor tactics or lacks safety pre- survived multiple shootings. This cautions, gang members will take In addition, whether it’s a traffic gives them experience in confronta- advantage of the situation. Be con- stop or field contact: tions that many of you do not have. scious of your appearance and actions Many gang members are committed • take occupants out of the vehicle in order to deter a negative response to violence and believe they will have one at a time; from gang members. a short life. Therefore, they will be • pat each one down for weapons; If you’re unable to control the con- willing to take extreme risks when • have them sit down and cross tact with the officers on hand, request dealing with law enforcement officers their legs straight out in front of additional backup immediately. Once and the public. You should always them; keep their hands in their lap or you get behind the curve, it’s very look for warning signs and treat gang fingers interlocked on top of their difficult to regain control. Gang members according to their behavior. head; members know your intentions during Always be professional and treat • have them keep their hands visi- the contact but you don’t know their them with respect until they give you ble at all times; intentions or frame of mind. Your job a reason to act differently. • tell them “no talking” to each is to be as safe as possible and not let Whenever making contact with other during the stop (this will help the gang members get the upper hand. gang members: keep them from making a coordinated Editor’s note: A special note of • have a backup if possible. plan on how to assault you or make a thanks to Lt. Charlie Consolian of the • pick the spot for contact and if getaway). Violent Crimes Bureau, Gang the gang members are now allowing During these contacts, you should Enforcement Unit of the Phoenix this, a mental flag should signal you also be cautious of female gang mem- Police Department (PPD) for allow- to a greater level of caution. bers. Do not treat them as any less of ing RMIN to reprint this column. It • be familiar with gang areas so a threat to your safety. Female gang originally appeared in the April 2008 gang members don’t have the ability members often conceal weapons and edition of the PPD’s Gang to maneuver you into a hostile envi- contraband for male gang members Enforcement Unit’s Crackdown ronment and most gang members know that a Bulletin. • don’t allow gangsters to control male officer will not thoroughly

36 For Law Enforcement Only SSttrraatteeggiieess//RReeccoommmmeennddaattiioonnss ffoorr LLaaww EEnnffoorrcceemmeenntt

where must be willing and able to BY CHUCK SCHOVILLE RMIN TRAINING SPECIALIST address the issues they will be confronted with concerning the Although this publication has height, weight, ethnicity or the Surenos. covered the Surenos that are loyal gang they are loyal to should be to the California Mexican Mafia, treated as if they were capable I was recently talking with the reader should always be aware of committing violent crimes in Robert “Moco” Morrill, one of of the following: furtherance of their cause and the original California Prison If a gang member is claiming gang. Task force members (Monterey allegiance and loyalty to the Park PD) about the migration of Surenos and Mexican Mafia, he During the 1970s and 1980s, the Surenos. “Once the Sureno should be treated and approached law enforcement experienced the graffiti starts showing up, it’s too with the understanding that he growth and migration of the Los late,” said Morrill. will commit violent crimes in Angeles based Crips and Bloods furtherance of his cause. throughout the United States. This In order for law enforcement to Any and all gang members was followed with the migration stay ahead of the Surenos, a should be treated with respect and of the Chicago based Folks and multi-pronged approach must be treated equally in all aspects of People gangs to all parts of the utilized which must include the your encounter. Do not allow country. As the Hispanic gangs of entire community. During the yourself to grow complacent California continue the “second 1980s, the gang problem across based upon who you are dealing wave” of California based migra- the country appeared to be a with. All gang members, regard- tion, law enforcement managers major issue as a result of media less of their place of origin, within the RMIN region and else- coverage.  

For Law Enforcement Only 37 During the 1990s, the gang 1. Law enforcement adminis- the requesting agency. The problem continued to grow trators must recognize the immi- RMIN training can be tailored to while media coverage declined nent threat posed to their com- be specifically about Surenos or and gangs became “old news.” munities by the sudden and any other criminal street gang, As a result of less attention unparalleled growth and migra- outlaw motorcycle or prison being given to gang crimes and tion of the Surenos. gang. gangs, community members • Police managers must ensure 3. Law enforcement officials became complacent, as did many that their employees understand at the local, county, state and police administrators. As we the significance and dangers federal levels must agree to continue on, the gang problem is involved with the Sureno gang work together, share intelligence worsening. migration and take the necessary steps to Gangs that once remained • This should include forming ensure a joint agency, multi- within their own gang neighbor- an intelligence network with faceted response to the threat. hoods have started to move states within the RMIN region Information is meaningless freely into other parts of their that are now facing the conse- unless it is shared with others cities in order to make money quences of being unprepared who have a need to know. and commit crimes. Gangs that 2. Law enforcement officials 4. Sureno gang members are once were bitter rivals have now must provide the necessary sup- loyal to the gang and should be formed alliances in order to port and training to gang special- dealt with appropriately. Your expand their territory, allowing ists to battle the threat of the approach must be safe and made them to increase profits. Gangs Surenos. Law enforcement man- with sound planning. Your started moving not only from agement must remember that the approach will determine the neighborhood to neighborhood, key to the success of any proj- Surenos’ response. but continued moving from one ect, including the influx of city to another to commit crimes • As in the case with any recent fusion centers, is that gang-related or motivated crime, and increase profits. Gangs have without information being devel- now grown to be known as Surenos must be identified, oped on the street level, failure investigated and prosecuted to transnational gangs, moving is certain. Provide the necessary from one country to another to the fullest extent if they commit staffing at the patrol and street crimes in your jurisdiction. form alliances and to again, level and the necessary leader- expand their market into areas • Plea bargaining should not ship to effectively address the be an option for Surenos con- with endless opportunities. Sureno movement. This is the time for strategic victed of violent felony crimes planning and preparation within • The Rocky Mountain in your jurisdiction. the RMIN region for the Information Network can pro- • Local prosecutors should be inevitable continued migration vide gang training to RMIN included in any Sureno gang of the Surenos. member agencies at no cost to training and should be consid-

38 For Law Enforcement Only ered and contacted from the onset street gang and neighborhood the of a Sureno gang motivated crimi- Sureno came from and who his nal investigation. associates were in his previous 5. The successful preparation community. Based on the inter- for the migration of the Surenos view, the person could be docu- into your state and community mented as a member of the crimi- must include jail and correctional nal street gang such as 18th intelligence components. Officers Street, White Fence, etc., and as a who work the streets (gang inves- Sureno. This is the same informa- tigators) should be encouraged to tion an investigator would want to work closely with investigators know if the investigator was inter- who work in correctional facilities viewing a Crip or Blood gang to include the necessary cell member from California. The searches on a routine basis. By investigator should try to deter- working together, a significant mine what type (gang set) of Crip amount of intelligence can be a person is, such as a Grape Street gathered and shared. (Los Angeles), Westside City 6. Law enforce- (Phoenix). ment/Corrections must conduct 8. Police managers and fusion thorough background and classifi- center directors should strongly cation screenings to determine the consider assigning a specialized validity of a Sureno gang mem- criminal analyst to collect, ana- ber. Intake classification staff lyze and disseminate all Sureno members and police investigators information that is collected in the should consult with the Security field and prisons. Based on the Threat Group investigators from amount of criminal activity being other states if the person being committed by the Surenos, the interviewed is from another state. coordinated law enforcement 7. Documentation should be response should be quick and completed on all Sureno gang decisive. Surenos (Mexican members, Sureno graffiti or Mafia) should not be allowed to become established in a commu- crimes involving Surenos.  Investigators must remember that nity. everyone claiming to be a gang member was or is a member of a criminal street gang. Investigators need to determine which criminal

For Law Enforcement Only 39 GLOSSARY Ariza Raza: Arizona Hispanics Basura: “garbage” in Spanish; a term used to describe most rivals and enemies of the Surenos Big Homies: a validated member of the California Mexican Mafia Busters: person misrepresenting something that he/she is not; a fake Calles: “streets” in Spanish Camaradas: comrades Carnales: a name used to describe validated California Mexican Mafia members Car: A slang term used to gang members to describe their gang or crew Eme: Mexican Mafia Farmeros: “farmers” in Spanish; a derogatory term used by Surenos to describe the Arizona Mexican Mafia or any gang members claiming allegiance to the Nortenos in California Guerra: “war” in Spanish Hasta la muerta: “until the death” in Spanish Kanpol: soldier Lechuga: “lettuce” in Spanish; refers to the Arizona New Mexican Mafia Mano: refers to the hand, or the Black Hand of the Mexican Mafia Mexican Americans: A term used to describe Arizona Hispanics, who are clearly separated from the Surenos (California Hispanics) and the Border Brothers (illegal immigrants who are incarcerated) Nuevos: “new ones” in Spanish; derogatory term used to describe the Arizona Mexican Mafia Paisas: “brothers” in Spanish; a term used to describe the Border Brothers prison gang. Note: Not all “paisas” are members of the Border Brothers but all Border Brothers are paisas (Mexicans from Mexico) Paisa: “countryman” or a person from the same country as the others (Mexico). The term paisa is often used to describe a person from Mexico who has been in the United States a short time. Conversely, the term “Chicano” or “Mexican American” is often used to describe a person of Hispanic ethnicity who has lived in the United States most of, if not their entire, life. Patched: a person considered a member of the Mexican Mafia by the leaders of the Mexican Mafia Sur: “south” SUR: Soldier Under Recruitment; Soldier Under Recognition; Southern United Raza True Blue: loyal to the color blue, the color used by Surenos True Blue Riders: a loyal Sureno (may also use the term True Blue and/or True Riders) Validated: a person considered a member of the Mexican Mafia by the correctional authorities Verde: “green” in Spanish; refers to the “green light” or list upon which a person is placed when they are to be killed; permission to kill a person

40 For Law Enforcement Only SSuurreennooss RReeggllaass -- RRuulleess

These are Surenos reglas or rules confiscated from a Los Angeles County Jail cell. These rules may not be uniform throughout the correctional system – they represent only the rules as applied in one facility.

1. There is to be no fighting. 2. There is to be no horseplay. 3. No getting in the judas’ (correctional officers’) face. Stay off the nurse, store clerk, etc. Show respect. 4. Stay off the truchas (inmate workers). 5. The program starts after lunch is served and ends at 10:30 p.m., except Friday and Saturday. (The term program here refers to the Sureno commitment to the Sureno lifestyle—being loyal, a good, solid “standup” Sureno; staying in good physical condition, educating himself to the Sureno lifestyle while incarcerated.) 6. Keep conversations in your cell. 7. No yelling down the tira (tier). 8. No illegal activity is allowed until the last chain has gone to visiting on visit days. (Nobody gets ‘stupid.’ Illegal activity that’s caught can result in lockdown and visitor restrictions.) 9. No mad-dogging the Homies in the high power cages. (Don’t provoke the older, estab- lished members from the other Security Threat Groups). 10. No disrespecting or name calling on the tira. 11. There is to be one person up for the gallo (pruno) and the person up that day is responsible. (One person per day is responsible for all transactions. There isn’t anything in a correctional facility that isn’t bartered and all transactions go through a designated person.) 12. All clavos (drugs) are to come to me; I will cut the third. (The author—or shot- caller—explains drug transactions go through him and that he will take one third off the top of any drug exchange.) 13. All personal transa (transactions) are susceptible to a South Sider, and double up

For Law Enforcement Only 41 when late. (A fee or tax is applied by a South Sider to transactions and this fee is doubled when payment is delayed.) 14. All South Side business or anything else discussed on the tira remains on the tira, unless told. 15. All Homies are responsible for llaves y dulces (weapons and drugs). 16. Guard your conversation on the phones. 17. Mandatory workout of your choice, minimum of one hour. 18. Keep the tira clean. No trash unless the tira is being swept. 19. All wilas (“kites” or letters), verbals, items being brought from corte (court) or just down the tira are not to be short stopped. (Make sure material reaches its intended desti- nation.) 20. All cell reps are to run down the rules to the new arrivals on their tira. 21. Gang Module Homies (shotcallers) blast (assault) all verdes, varrios, and personals (gang or individual green lights). MANDATORY blast unless otherwise stated. Lista verdes (green light hit lists) shall be passed every night. 22. It is mandatory to pack dules (weapons) to court if you are under 30 years old. All blasting must be reported to me (the shotcaller) ASAP, no ifs and or buts. If the courts are hot (searched for weapons), that should be reported to me also for further notice to pack or not. 23. All 38s are to be handled with care and respect for the Homie who owns it. 24. Any issues or complaints are to be taken up with your cell rep. After, and only after, will I accept wilas (letters) to settle the matter. 25. Homies going to court should choose camaradas (brothers/partners) and relay verdes and personals. 26. All Homies representing this module should show respect and set an example for mainline camaradas. 27. Anyone wanting to go to another cell must get the OK from the white house (EME headquarters). 28. If one of the Homies feels disrespected and takes off (attacks) on the judas (correc- tional officers), all Homies will follow (back him up).

42 For Law Enforcement Only SSuurreennooss TTaattttooooss

Sur 13 SUR

Aztec 13 Aztec 13

Los Angeles Area Code 13

For Law Enforcement Only 43 Sureno Big Hazard

South Side Resenda Surenos

SUR SUR 13

Varrio Surenos Malditos Barrio Surenos Trece

44 For Law Enforcement Only Barrio Sureno Trece 18th Street

Surenos 3CE Lopez Maravilla

13 San Fernando Valley

Logan Heights San Diego SUR 13

For Law Enforcement Only 45 Orange County Eternal Sword Shield With SUR

Varrio Lokos 59th St. South Side 42 Street

Long Beach Orange County

Highland Park San Gabriel Valley

46 For Law Enforcement Only Southsider East Side Torrence

13 Southern United Raza X3

18th Street 18th Street

Orange County SUR

For Law Enforcement Only 47 White Fence Orange County SUR Califas

Compton Gangster Life South Side

Florencia 13 13

Eternal Sword Shield Lynwood Sureno 13

48 For Law Enforcement Only CONTACTS/ORGANIZATIONS/WEBSITES

Call or click the contacts listed here for additional gang- Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) related information. Every effort was made to ensure the U.S. Department of Justice contact information provided here is accurate and www.cops.usdoj up-to-date (as of November 2008). In some instances, 1-800-421-6770 you’ll note that only phone numbers—no individual con- tact names—are provided: This is an intentional, precau- E tionary measure and is not an oversight. East Coast Gang Investigators Association www.ecgia.org A Arizona Gang Investigators Association East Valley (Maricopa County, AZ) Gang Task Force www.arizonagia.com Chuck Schoville, president F [email protected] Federal Bureau of Investigation Jeff Cutler, vice president [email protected] Florida Gang Investigators Association www.fgia.com Arizona Department of Corrections 1601 W. Jefferson G Phoenix, AZ 85007 Georgia Gang Investigators Association 602-364-3945 www.ggia.net

Arizona G.I.I.T.E.M. (Arizona State Gang Task Force) I www.azdps.gov/gitem Idaho Department of Corrections 1299 N. Orchard St., Suite 110 Asian Gang Investigator’s Association of California Boise, ID 83706 www.agiaconline.org 208-658-2000 B Boise-Nampa-Caldwell, Idaho Police departments Idaho Gangs www.idahogangs.com C California Gang Investigators Association International Latino Gang Investigator’s Association www.cgiaonline.org (ILGIA) Nelson Arriago, President Colorado Department of Corrections www.ilgia.org 2862 S. Circle Dr. P.O. Box 655552 Colorado Springs, CO 80906 University Place, WA 98464 719-579-9580 Gabe Morales, Vice President [email protected] Colorado Security Threat Intelligence Network Group International Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Investigators (STING) Association (IOMGIA) Irene Basta, President www.IOMGIA.org 719-406-4040 [email protected]

For Law Enforcement Only 49 M Mid Atlantic Reginal Gang Investigators Network New Mexico Gang and Terrorism Task Force (MARGIN) www.gomargin.us New York Gang Investigators Association www.nygia.org Midwest Cycle Intelligence Organization North Carolina Gang Investigation Association Midwest Gang Investigators Association www.ncgangcops.org www.mgia.org Northern California Gang Investigator’s Association Montana Department of Corrections www.ncgia.com 1538 11th Ave. Helena, MT 59620 Northwest Gang Investigator’s Association 406-444-0409 www.nwgia.com

Morales, Gabe Novotny, Brian Vice president, International Latino Gang Investigator’s Criminal Intelligence Analyst, Rocky Mountain Association Information Network [email protected] Editor, Western States Gang Intelligence Network newsletter N Editor, RMIN Gang Newsletter National Alliance of Gang Investigator’s Associations 623-587-8201, ext. 163 www.nagia.org 1-800-821-0640 [email protected] National Criminal Justice Reference Service O National Gang Crime Research Center Oklahoma Gang Investigator’s Assocation www.ngcrc.com www.ogia.net

National Major Gang Task Force P www.nmgtf.org Phoenix (AZ) Police Department

National Youth Gang Center S www.iir.com/nygc/ Salt Lake Area Gang Project

Nevada Department of Corrections San Diego County Sheriff’s Department P.O. Box 7011 Carson City, NV 89118 Schoville, Chuck 702-486-9916 Training Specialist, Rocky Mountain Information Network New Mexico Department of Corrections Founder/president, Arizona Gang Investigators 4337 NM 14 Association Santa Fe, NM 87508 President, International Outlaw Motorcycle Gang 505-827-8674 Investigators Association

50 For Law Enforcement Only 623-587-8201, ext. 122 Gang Resources 1-800-821-0640, ext. 122 Arizona Drug and Gang Resource Center - [email protected] http://129.219.180.202/proginvento ry2004/FormsIndex.htm South Eastern Connecticut Gang Activities Group Arizona Security Threat Group - www.segag.org http://www.adc.state.az.us/adc/divisions/support/stg.asp Gangs 101 - http://www.gangs101.com/ T Gang Prevention Services - Tennessee Gang Investigator’s Association http://www.angelfire.com/biz4/stopvarriowar/gps.html www.tn-gia.org Gangstyle - http://gangstyle.com/ Questia.com Book Search - http://www.questia.com Texas Gang Investigators Association Street Gangs - http://www.streetgangs.com www.tgia.net Graffiti Sites Tri-State (Nevada, California, Arizona) Intelligence Nograffiti.com - http://www.nograffiti.com Association www.graffiti.org - http://www.graffiti.org

U Federal Law Enforcement websites: Utah Department of Corrections Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives 14717 S. Minuteman Dr. http://www.atf.gov/ Draper, UT 84020 Bureau of Justice Assistance - 801-545-5500 http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/ California State Juvenile Officer's Association - Utah Gang Investigators Association http://www.csjoa.org Customs and Border Protection - http://www.cbp.gov V Department of Homeland Security - http://www.dhs.gov Virginia Gang Investigator’s Association Federal Bureau of Investigation - http://www.fbi.gov www.vgia.org Federal Bureau of Prisons - http://www.bop.gov Immigration and Custom Enforcement - W http://www.ice.gov Western States Gang Intelligence Network International Organization of Asian Crime Investigators and Specialists - http://www.ioacis.com/ Wyoming Department of Corrections MAGLOCLEN - 700 W. 21st St. http://www.iir.com/riss/magloclen/index.htm Cheyenne, WY 82002-3427 Military Connection.com - 307-777-7209 http://www.militaryconnection.com National Association of School Resource Officers - Miscellaneous Gang-Related Websites http://www.nasro.org USDOJ: Gangs National Drug Intelligence Center - The Impact of Gangs on Communities (PDF) http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/doj/ndic/index.html National Gang History Office of National Drug Control Policy - Know Gangs http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/ Gangs Across America RISS Centers - http://www.iir.com/riss/ Gangs OR Us U.S. Department of Justice - http://www.usdoj.gov SafeYouth.org (Gang Fact Sheet)

For Law Enforcement Only 51 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This special report would not have been possible without the help of numerous individuals. We are appre- ciative of those who provided useful information and critiques and we owe a special debt of gratitude to law enforcement professionals who took time out of their busy schedules to provide critical information. Some individuals did not want to be identified because of the sensitivity of the information they provided and in honor of their request, we cannot thank them by name.

We are grateful to the following individuals for their time and expertise in helping to make this special report possible: Nelson Arriaga, Inglewood (CA) Police Department/International Latino Gang Investigators Association Charlie Consolian, Gang Enforcement Unit, Violent Crimes, Phoenix Police Department Philana Duprey-Riherd, Arizona Department of Public Safety Jerry Dunn, Arizona Department of Corrections Andy Eways, Maryland State Police John Feeney, Federal Bureau of Prisons Steve Garcia, Arizona Department of Corrections Ken Lucas, Corrections Corporation of America Steve Lucero, Colorado Department of Corrections Frank “Paco” Marcell, Maricopa County (Arizona) Sheriff’s Office Robert Marquez, California Department of Corrections Mike Micu, Montana Department of Corrections Gabe Morales, King County (WA) Jail/International Latino Gang Investigators Association Bryan Schwab, Corrections Corporations of America Ramon Suarez, Corrections Corporation of America

Representatives from the following associations also were generous with their time and assistance in making this report possible: Arizona Gang Investigators Association Colorado S.T.I.N.G. International Latino Gang Investigator’s Association

52 For Law Enforcement Only