So You Wanna Know How Many Crips Are in L.A.? Buckle Up, Buttercup, It's a Number with a Side of Mystery
Ever wondered while rocking your favorite blue band tee if you were accidentally repping a gang color? Let's face it, Los Angeles and the Crips go together like peanut butter and jelly (except with a whole lot less sweetness and a sprinkle of danger). But exactly how much "gang's all here" are we talking about?
The Great Gang Guesstimate:
Here's the thing: counting Crips is like trying to count grains of sand on Venice Beach. There's no official headcount, and trust me, these aren't the kind of folks who RSVP to Facebook events. Estimates range from a cool 30,000 to a whopping 150,000 in L.A. County alone. That's a whole lot of blue.
Why So Shady with the Numbers?
So why the secrecy? Well, gangs ain't exactly known for transparency. They're not lining up for a census, and admitting your gang affiliation isn't exactly on most people's social media profiles (although, with some folks online, you just never know). Plus, gang numbers fluctuate faster than your phone battery on a cold day.
But Hey, Let's Break it Down (Unofficially, of Course)
Los Angeles has hundreds of active gangs, and the Crips are a loose network of individual "sets" that can beef with each other as much as they beef with rival gangs. Think of it like a complicated family tree, but instead of Aunt Mildred, you've got rival Crips like the Rollin' 20s and the Eight Tray Crips.
The Bottom Line: It's a Lot of Blue (But Not Enough to Dye the Pacific)
Look, we can't give you an exact number on Crips in L.A. But it's safe to say there's a significant number. However, gang violence has been decreasing in recent years, thanks to community efforts and law enforcement.
So, there you have it. The thrilling, not-so-exact answer to your question. Now you can go forth, informed and maybe a little less likely to accidentally flash the wrong gang colors. Just remember, if you're ever unsure, maybe stick to rocking that yellow smiley face tee instead.
