Gangs of Utah

Which Gangs are present in Utah? How do they recruit members and is there a way out?

Table of Contents

1. Gangs of Utah

2. What are their origins?

3. How many members are male vs. female?

4. Risk factors that lead to gang involvement?

5. Is there a way out?

Active gangs in Utah

Hispanic: Nortenos and Surenos

Crips & Bloods: Tongan Crips, Sons of Samoa, and Kearns Town Bloods.

Straight Edge: SXE and Straight Edge Vegans

Skinheads: Non-racist and Racist

Unaligned: Oquirrh Shadow Boys and Varrio Loco Town

Origins of a few

Surenos are a Mexican gang that is strongest in Southern California.

Straight Edge began in NY in the mid-1980’s as moral watchdogs. California Straight Edger’s are tolerant, while Salt Lake City members are violent.

Tongan Crips – 1st identified in 1989. They are heavily influenced by Los Angeles based Crips. Pacific Islander immigrants moved to LA, then to Utah to escape gang violence, thus bring the gang to Utah.

Members Male vs. Female

Mal

e vs

. Fem

ale

Juve

nile

vs. A

dults

Impr

ison

ed0%

20%40%60%80%

100%

MaleFemalePercentage

Factors that increase gang involvement

Unsuccessful academic achievements.

Low self-esteem.

Lack of involvement in positive after-school activities.

Friends that are juvenile delinquents.

Behavioral disorders.

How can you leave a gang?

Believe you deserve better. Desire change.

Spend time with family, and focus on other recreational activities.

Change the way you dress.

Disassociate yourself with your gang friends.

Find a good support system, friends and adults.

Sources

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/05/26/tonga-crips-gang-utah/9463661/

http://articles.latimes.com/1998/jan/29/news/mn-13171

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sureños

http://www.helpinggangyouth.com/statistics.html

http://updsl.org/divisions/metro_gang_unit/local_gangs

http://www.edmontonpolice.ca/CommunityPolicing/OrganizedCrime/Gangs/GettingOutOfAGang.aspx