Bloods vs. Crips: Bloods and Crips are two of the most notorious gangs in Los Angeles. Both groups have been to blame for a significant amount of crime in America. The two gangs were created in the city of Los Angeles and have been rivals ever since. Though they may be rivals on the streets, the Bloods and Crips have greatly impacted American culture.
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Who are the Bloods?
The Bloods were formed by a variety of street gangs to oppose the rising influence of the Crips. They were founded in LA in 1972, and their dress code colors are red. They use hand signs for gang symbols.
The Bloods are a street gang that originated in Los Angeles, California. Their name comes from the fact that they often wore red clothing to show their affiliation. The Bloods are a part of numerous criminal activities, including robbery, drug dealing, and murder. They are estimated to have a membership of 20,000 to 25,000 people.
The Bloods are predominantly African American, while the Crips have members from all different racial backgrounds. The Bloods also tend to be younger, with most members falling between the ages of 15 and 30. There is no official leader of the Bloods gang, but it is split into sets with its own hierarchical structure.
Who are the Crips?
The Crips were formed in 1969 by Stanley Williams and Raymond Washington. They aimed to take power in the Southern area of Los Angeles, California. The Crips have a more centralized leadership than the Bloods and are mainly active in larger cities on the West Coast. The gang mainly inhabits the USA.
The Crips members typically dress in blue. The gang is among the most threatening in the US, with a population between 30,000 and 35,000. They are involved in criminal activities like murder, robbery, gambling, prostitution, and drug dealing. Initially, the Crips were formed to protect their neighborhood from outside threats. However, the gang later began to accept members from the local community, which made it larger and more powerful. The Crips’ fights then shifted from fistfights to shootouts.
Main Distinctions Between the Bloods and the Crips
The Bloods were founded by two people, while the Crips were created by small-size street gangs banding together. The Bloods were established to have more power than the Crips, while the Crips gang was simply a response to the former’s growing influence.
There are more Crips gang members than Bloods. Furthermore, Crips typically dress in blue while Bloods prefer red. The Crips also have a wider geographical reach as they are all over the USA. Finally, the Crips are mainly composed of black people, but the Bloods have a more diverse membership which includes whites, Asian Americans, and Latinos.
7 Key Differences Between Bloods And Crips
| Basis | Bloods | Crips |
|---|---|---|
| Formation | Formed by small street gangs | Formed by two individuals |
| Aim | Voice against the growing influence of the crips | Come to power |
| Founders | Some street gangs headed by Piru street boys | Raymond Washington and Stanley Williams |
| Identification color | Red color | Blue color |
| Territory | United States & Canada | United States |
| Ethnic group | African Americans, Latinos, whites, and Asian Americans | Mainly African Americans. |
| Population | 20,000 to 25,000 | 30,000 to 35,000. |
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Conclusion
The Bloods and Crips gangs both originated in LA. They engage in various illegal activities, including robbery, drug dealing, and murder. However, both groups have different motives for their actions. Crips were established with the intent to gain power, while Bloods was created to oppose the Crips’ influence. As a result, the two gangs are constantly in conflict.
