Virginia is a state with a lot of history, culture, and business. However, crime and violence are very big problems there. Gangs that work in different cities and parts of the state are one of the most well-known sources of crime. Criminal activities by these gangs include drug dealing, gun crimes, murder, theft, and other crimes that put people’s safety and well-being at risk. Let’s take a look at seven of the most dangerous gangs in Pennsylvania, ranked by how big, bad, and widespread they are.
The Hazelwood Mob
This is the Hazelwood Mob, which is also known as the Down Low Gang. It is a dangerous street gang in Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood neighborhood. Since the early 2000s, the gang has been busy and has been involved in many shootings, murders, and drug deals in and around the area.
The gang has leaders, members, drug suppliers, and friends. They often use social media to talk to each other and show off their illegal actions. In September 2021, 24 people connected to the Hazelwood Mob were charged by a federal grand jury with conspiracy to sell drugs and gun violations. The four-month wiretap investigation led to the indictment. The goal was to break up the gang and bring peace and order back to the area.
The Bloods
The Bloods are one of the most well-known and widespread street gangs in the US. They have members in almost every state, including Pennsylvania. The Bloods were formed in Los Angeles in the 1970s as an alternative to the well-known Crips street gang. It is known that the Bloods use the word “blood,” the color red, and the five-pointed star as signs and symbols.
The Bloods are split into different sets or subgroups, and each has its leader, area, and allies. The Fruit Town Brims, the Sex Money Murder, the Nine Trey Gangsters, and the G-Shine are some of the busiest Bloods set in Pennsylvania.
There are many illegal things that the Bloods do, like drug dealing, robbery, extortion, murder, and racketeering. A lot of the time, the Bloods fight with police and other gangs, like the Crips, the Latin Kings, and the Aryan Brotherhood.
The Pagans Motorcycle Club
People who are part of the Pagans Motorcycle Club, which is also known as the Pagans MC, are mostly from the eastern and central parts of the United States, including Pennsylvania. The Pagans MC was started in Maryland in 1959 and now has chapters in several states. It is thought that between 200 and 250 people belong to the group.
Some of the things that people know about the Pagans MC are the Norse god Loki, the number 16, and the colors blue and black. There are many illegal things that the Pagans MC does, including drug dealing, gun crimes, assault, murder, and extortion. The Pagans MC often gets into fights with law officials and other motorcycle clubs, like the Hells Angels, the Outlaws, and the Bandidos.
The Hilltop Gang
The Hilltop Gang, which is also called the Hilltop Crew, is a violent drug gang that works in the West Philadelphia area. The gang started in the late 1990s and now has dozens of members and friends. They are in charge of the drug trade near 52nd Street and Lansdowne Avenue. People know the gang by the letters “HT” and the color green, which they use as signs and identification.
The gang does many illegal things, like selling drugs, breaking the law with guns, robbing stores, killing people, and scaring witnesses. The gang often goes after other drug sellers, customers, informants, and even people who are just walking by.
In February 2020, 15 people connected to the Hilltop Gang were charged by a federal grand jury with conspiracy to sell drugs and gun violations. The charge came after an investigation by several law enforcement agencies that wanted to break up the gang and make the area less violent.
The Rollin’ 60s Crips
The Rollin’ 60s Crips, sometimes called the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips, are a big and powerful street gang that mostly works in the southwest and western parts of the United States, including Pennsylvania. The Rollin’ 60s Crips started out in Los Angeles in the 1970s as a part of the Crips, which was another well-known street gang. The seven-pointed star, the number 60, and the color blue are all used by the Rollin’ 60s Crips as signs and symbols.
The Rollin’ 60s Crips are split up into different subgroups or cliques, and each has its own boss, territory, and allies. The 60th Street, 61st Street, 62nd Street, and 63rd Street are in Pennsylvania and are home to some of the busiest Rollin’ 60s Crips groups. The Rollin’ 60s Crips do many illegal things, like selling drugs, robbing people, killing people, and running a racket. The Rollin’ 60s Crips often get into fights with police and other gangs, like the Bloods, the Hoover Criminals, and the Folk Nation.
The 18th Street Gang
The 18th Street Gang, sometimes called the Barrio 18, is a worldwide crime group that mostly works in Central America and North America, including Pennsylvania. The 18th Street Gang began in Los Angeles in the 1960s as a split from the Clanton 14, which was also a street gang. It is known that the 18th Street Gang uses the number 18, the letters “XV3,” and the color blue as signs and names.
The 18th Street Gang is split up into several smaller groups, or cliques. Each has its boss, territory, and allies. These Pennsylvania 18th Street Gang groups are some of the busiest: the Shatto Park Locos, the Columbia Lil Cycos, the Tiny Winos, and the Tiny Locos.
There are many illegal things that the 18th Street Gang does, like drug and people trafficking, extortion, murder, and crime. The 18th Street Gang often gets into fights with rival gangs like the Mara Salvatrucha, the Sureños, and the Nuestra Familia. They also get into fights with the police.
The Latin Kings
The Latin Kings are a multinational criminal group that works mostly in Latin America and North America, including Pennsylvania. They are also known as the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation. In the 1940s, the Latin Kings started in Chicago as a social and cultural force to give Latinos more power. Latin Kings used the five-pointed crown, the letters “ALKQN,” and the colors black and gold as signs and symbols to show who they were.
The Latin Kings are split up into different chapters or subgroups, and each has its own leader, area, and allies. The Sunbury Chapter, the Reading Chapter, the Lancaster Chapter, and the York Chapter are some of the busiest Latin Kings groups in Pennsylvania.
The Latin Kings do a lot of illegal things, like selling drugs, breaking gun laws, robbing, killing, and running a criminal enterprise. The Latin Kings often get into fights with police and other gangs, like the Bloods, the Crips, and the Aryan Brotherhood.
In conclusion
The activities and presence of different gangs in Pennsylvania’s cities and regions pose a major threat to the state. Most of the crime and bloodshed in these areas is caused by these gangs, which hurts people’s lives and ways of making a living. The federal and state governments have been trying to stop and fight gangs and their illegal actions, but the task is still very difficult. To help the government and towns deal with the gang problem and make the state safer and wealthier for everyone, the public needs to know about it and work with them.