Gang of Three (Or More)

After a gang fight broke out during a baptism at The Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, community leaders in Lathrop, CA discussed the situation and decided now would be a good time to do some citizen outreach education. Everything you wanted to know about gangs but were scared shitless to ask are answered here in notes from the first meeting.

About 75 people ranging from pre-teens to adults attended the seminar. Father McFalls translated the seminar for Spanish speaking audience members. The seminar began by explaining the nuts and bolts of gangs.

In California, a gang is identified as a group of three or more people who have a common name or symbol for themselves and are of on-going association with patterns of criminal behavior as well as those who wear gang affiliated colors and style of clothing.

Officer Lovato continued by saying that documented gang members are known by confidential informants who often times give up other gang members to stay out of trouble, by being affiliated with other members, whether it be in person or in photos, having certain items or tattoos, or by self declaring themselves as a member when they are brought to jail.

In order for a person to be constituted as a gang member they must be associated with at least four of the above mentioned descriptions. People who are associated up to three of the mentioned description are labeled as gang associated, or people who would like to be a part of the gang.

Thus begins Blottered's focus on worldwide gang activity. No hand signal or initiation prank will be left unexamined.
Baptism gang fight prompts outreach effort [Manteca Bulletin]