NYC CRIPS

NYC CRIPS
Origin: Crips were founded in west Los Angeles by Raymond Washington who organized local African American street gangs in the mid to late 60s. There are many theories. The terminology Crip derived from one such theory was from a motion picture "Tales of the Crypt". Other theories suggest that the name "Crip" evolved from the word "Crib" which was the name of a faction of the "Slausons" which was at the time the largest African American street gang in South Central Los Angeles. Yet another theory suggests that an identifier for the Crips was a walking cane, producing the word "Crip" from the word "Crippled".
During the 1980's several sets of the "Crips" developed strong-holds in California and rapidly migrated to the East Coast. Sets are currently active in New York, New Jersey, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Virginia. Crips arrived in New York in the early 90's and mainly resided in an area known as Harlem. They fashioned the "Harlem Mafia Crips" and helped establish several other "Crip" sets such as the Rollin 30's Crips, 92 Hoover Crips and the Rollin 60 Crips. Today there are hundreds of Crip sets operating throughout the five boroughs and neighboring counties.
Philosophy:Crips believe in representing their set often described by gang members as Volume 2. Representing is expressed by placing graffiti and tagging in the neighborhood where their set dominates or they want their set to dominate. Crips represent by a show of colors and bang from the left. They believe that it is all about making money. Status is often achieved by the amount of money a particular member generates for his set.
Membership:Originally "Crips" were primarily African American males and females ranging from age 12 to their early 20's. As they migrated throughout the United States they became a multi-racial gang and have no real age limitations. The initiation process is referred to as "locing-in" or "courting". A male who wants to become a member of a specific "Crip" set must commit a crime in the presence of a LOC (male Crip member). Common crimes committed include: drug dealing, drive by shootings, extortion's, murders, etc. Some sets allow members of the organization to be physically "jumped-in" by members of that set. They refer to this practice as the "Kangaroo walk" or "bullpen". Female gang members are known as Loc-ets and similar to their blood counterparts are "jumped-in" or "sexed in" by multiple members of that set.
Rank Structure:
There is no common leadership or council who can direct multiple Crip sets. Those Crips who influence others often attain leadership status. O.G. (Original Gangster) status is achieved through a reputation of banging and representing for an extended period of time.
Communication: Crips are known to communicate by using hand signals, code words, writing in code, wearing clothing in a certain fashion and the use of graffiti. Example: The word COLORS would have a slash or line placed through the center of the O and the L because these letters are used in the spelling of the word BLOOD. Crips when writing the word BROOKLYN would replace the B with a C as such "CROOKLYN".
Common Tattoos:
Tattoos usually indicate set affiliation (U.G.C.), Volume 2 (representing your set), eight ball (kinship we have with Folk Nation), Six point star (Life, Love, Loyalty, Honor, Peace, Respect), coded numbers indicating set representation, etc.
Identifiers:
Six known Crip colors are: Light Blue, Blue, Gray (war), Orange, Black, Purple (O.G. or assassin), White.
Clothing is worn in combination with the colors listed above. Crips refer to each other as cousins or cuzz when conversing with other Crips. Crips also may wear a blue and clear beads combination around their neck and/or wrist. Crips are in alliance with Folk Nation. Crip graffiti symbols include the 6 point star, a pitch fork pointing upward, a rabbit with his right ear folded down, "C" with upwards arrow, etc.

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