Grape Street Watts Crips (gang)
Encyclopedia
The Grape Street Watts Crips is a large black street gang from the Watts
section of Los Angeles
, California
. In addition to wearing blue, the Grape Street Watts sport the color purple to signify Grape Street, a north-south street in Watts
and 103rd in the heart of their neighborhood.
Their territory encompasses an area from 97th Street (north) to 107th Street (south) between Wilmington Avenue (west) and Alameda Street (east). The Grape Street Watts Crips, the largest Crip
neighborhood in Watts
at 0.394 square miles, comprise the second largest overall black gang in the area, second only to the Bounty Hunters.
banner (gang), they changed their name to South Side Watts Varrio Grape Street 13, and still closely ally themselves with the Grape Street Watts Crips. The Black members were formally known as East Side Watts Varrio Grape, but by around 1986-87, the new Black members were known as East Side Grape Street Watts Baby Loc Crips.
, but since the truce of 1992, the intensity of their rivalry has diminished significantly since the 1980s. Other enemies of the Grape Street Watts Crips include the PJ Watts Crips, Hacienda Village Bloods, the Fruit Town Pirus, Circle City Piru, Ten Line Gangster Crips, all East Coast Crips, Fudge Town Mafia Crips, all Watts Mafia Crips, the Rollin 60s Neighborhood Crips and Florencia 13.
, directed by Stacy Peralta
. They have made been interviewed on several television shows, including Gangland
on the History Channel, and several National Geographic specials about Los Angeles gang wars.
Watts
-People:*Watts , the surname of several people*Watts S. Humphrey , American software engineer often called the father of software quality*Watts , a Canadian record producer-Fictional characters:*Watts family in EastEnders...
section of Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. In addition to wearing blue, the Grape Street Watts sport the color purple to signify Grape Street, a north-south street in Watts
Watts
-People:*Watts , the surname of several people*Watts S. Humphrey , American software engineer often called the father of software quality*Watts , a Canadian record producer-Fictional characters:*Watts family in EastEnders...
and 103rd in the heart of their neighborhood.
Territory and turf
They occupy the Jordan Downs Housing Projects and attend Jordan High School, located adjacent to the Jordan Downs. The Grape Street Crips have several clicks that make up the entire neighborhood, including Baby Locs, Peta Roll Squad, Peta Roc Squad, Peta Loc Squad, Parolee Squad, 95th, Bandera Blocc 97, 103rd, Dust Town Crip, Dust Town Hoggs, and Tip Top.Their territory encompasses an area from 97th Street (north) to 107th Street (south) between Wilmington Avenue (west) and Alameda Street (east). The Grape Street Watts Crips, the largest Crip
Crips
The Crips are a primarily, but not exclusively, African American gang. They were founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1969 mainly by Raymond Washington and Stanley Williams...
neighborhood in Watts
Watts
-People:*Watts , the surname of several people*Watts S. Humphrey , American software engineer often called the father of software quality*Watts , a Canadian record producer-Fictional characters:*Watts family in EastEnders...
at 0.394 square miles, comprise the second largest overall black gang in the area, second only to the Bounty Hunters.
Recent history
In the beginning, their neighborhood was called Watts Varrio Grape (WVG), which included both Black and Latino members. When Latino members aligned themselves with the SureñosSureños
Sureños are a group of Mexican American street gangs with origins in the oldest barrios of Southern California. Although they are based in California, the influence of the Sureños has spread to many parts of the US and other countries as well such as Germany and Japan...
banner (gang), they changed their name to South Side Watts Varrio Grape Street 13, and still closely ally themselves with the Grape Street Watts Crips. The Black members were formally known as East Side Watts Varrio Grape, but by around 1986-87, the new Black members were known as East Side Grape Street Watts Baby Loc Crips.
Rivals
The largest rivalry for the Grape Street Watts Crips has historically been the Bounty Hunters BloodsBloods
The Bloods are a street gang founded in Los Angeles, California. The gang is widely known for its rivalry with the Crips. They are identified by the red color worn by their members and by particular gang symbols, including distinctive hand signs...
, but since the truce of 1992, the intensity of their rivalry has diminished significantly since the 1980s. Other enemies of the Grape Street Watts Crips include the PJ Watts Crips, Hacienda Village Bloods, the Fruit Town Pirus, Circle City Piru, Ten Line Gangster Crips, all East Coast Crips, Fudge Town Mafia Crips, all Watts Mafia Crips, the Rollin 60s Neighborhood Crips and Florencia 13.
Allies
Allies of the Grape Street Watts Crips include the Carver Park Compton Crips, Nutty Blocc Compton Crips, Mona Park Compton Crips, Eight Tray Gangster Crips and Rollin 30's Harlem Crips, Farm Dog Compton Crips, Acacia Blocc Compton Crips, Spook Town Compton Crips & the 52 Hoover Gangster Crips.Media appearances
The Grape Street Watts Crips have appeared in the documentary Crips and Bloods: Made in AmericaCrips and Bloods: Made in America
Crips and Bloods: Made in America is a documentary by Stacy Peralta discussing the unique circumstances and factors that led to the creation of Crips and Bloods, two of the most violent gangs in all of United States history. The documentary goes beyond the general background of and discusses the...
, directed by Stacy Peralta
Stacy Peralta
Stacy Peralta is an American director and entrepreneur. Peralta was previously a professional skateboarder and surfer with the professional skateboarding group, the Z-Boys.-Early life:...
. They have made been interviewed on several television shows, including Gangland
Gangland (TV series)
Gangland is a documentary television series that airs on The History Channel. It usually airs on Thursday evenings although it has been known to arbitrarily change days every so often. Gangland explores the history of some of America's more notorious gangs. It premiered on November 1, 2007 with a...
on the History Channel, and several National Geographic specials about Los Angeles gang wars.