Children's lives snuffed out, others headed for prison, gang violence has claimed many young lives.  Gangs have spread from major urban areas in California to the suburbs, and even to our rural communities.  Some signs of gang activity are gang apparel called "colors" and gang graffiti and boundry marking called "tagging".

Gang Colors:

Gang violence not only affects gang members, but may involve innocent children who unknowingly sport rival gang colors and clothing.  Area gang uniforms are mostly about colors and numbers.  The two most prevalent gangs in the area focus on:

•  Surenos (Southern Calif): blue, "13", "S"
•  Nortenos (Northern Calif): red, "14", "408"

Headgear: Baseball caps, beanies, headbands and bandannas.  The color is most important, then the first letter of the insignia ("S" or "N") 

Shirts: Plaid, hooded sweatshirts, baggy T-shirts.  The insignia or message is not as important as the color of the writing or emblem.

Belts: colored Army-surplus-style web-belts with "S" or "N" on the buckle.

Pants: the baggier the better, often with subtle gang-colored stitching.

Gang Tagging- graffiti