◆ SpookStack

Pp. ne. They are not as oriented or as loyal to the gang as are the Hispanics. Unlike Hispanic gang members, black gang members Put their own interests before those of the street gang. 256 If a black gang member holds any loyalty, it is usually to another gang member, rather than to the gang itself. Another difference between the blacks and the Hispanics is that many black youth, unlike the Hispanics, have been known to speak openly to law enforcement officers about themselves and their gangs when they are away from their street gang comrades. 257 In the 1970's, the more sophisticated black gang members started to abandon their distinctive gang attire in order to avoid detection by law enforcement and school ‘officials. 198 In recent years, all Crips and Bloods have begun to "dress down" in order to avoid detection by law enforcement officers. Rather than wearing all-blue clothing, Crip gang members nowadays may conceal somewhere on their person only blue-colored scarves, also known as "rags," to identify their gang affiliation. Bloods may reveal their gang involvement by carrying only red-colored rags. 159 In 1984, it was firmly established that many black street gang members were involved in drug trafficking. They 1565 zona Department of Public Safety, Intelligence Division, 8. 1574 orshall, seen. 5. 158s ccociation of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs, p, 35, see 88. 15975. 55