The main difference between Bloods and Crips is in their origins. While the Crips gang was formed to gain power, the Bloods gang was created by other small gangs to counter the Crips.
Gang violence isn’t a good thing, but due to complex reasons, people around the world form violent groups and pursue terrorizing activities.
The Bloods and the Crips are two gangs formed in Los Angeles that promote violent activities across the United States. While they’re similar in some ways, their differences are important to understand.
Table of Contents
Bloods vs Crips – Key Differences
| Bloods | vs | Crips |
| 1972 | Year Of Origin | 1969 |
| To raise their voice against the growing influence of the Crips | Main Objective | To come to power. |
| Piru street boys | Founded By | Raymond Washington and Stanley Williams |
| Red color attire | Identified By | Blue color attire |
| 20000 to 25000 | Number Of Members | 30000 to 35000 |
| In the United States but also in Canada | Presence | The United States only |
| African-Americans, but many are Latinos, Whites, and Asian Americans | Ethnicity of The Members | African-Americans |
What are Bloods?
Bloods are a group of African-American (and strong Latino and Asian) street gangsters mainly known for their conflict with Crips. The gang was founded in 1972 in Los Angeles, California, to fight against Crips.
Identifying Bloods
Bloods are distinguished by their specific gang symbols, hand signs, and the color red worn by the gang members.
Sets or Subgroups
The Bloods have various subgroups called sets. These sets are further differentiated based on clothing, colors, operations, and political ideas.
All the sets have a common gang culture. However, each set has different leaders and is operated independently. The group is predominantly African-American men, although there are few sets that have included female members.
Bloods Characteristics
The average age of a gang member ranges from early teens to mid-20s. A leader is usually the oldest group member in his early thirties with a more extensive criminal background who operates the set.
Members between the ages of 16 to 22 are identified as soldiers. They are strongly committed to their set and willing to use violence to obtain gang members’ respect and respond to any person who disrespects the set.
Female members usually carry weapons, hold drugs, or act as a prostitute to make money for their set. They often wear sportswear that has a red jacket on the top.
Allies of Bloods
The Bloods have various allies spread across United Nations, namely:
- Florencia 13
- Black P. Stones
- United Blood Nation
- Vice lords
- Latin Kings
- People Nation
- Black Guerilla Family
- Mongrel Mob
- Juggalos
- Italian-American Mafia
Rivals of Bloods
The Bloods have a rivalry with the Crips. However, other rivalry groups exist.
Other Rival Gangs
- Aryan Brotherhood
- MS-13
- Asian Boyz
- Folk Nation
- Gangster Disciples
- Tiny Rascal Gang
What are Crips?
The Crips are a group of street gangs in Southern California’s coastal region. Raymond Washington and Stanley Williams founded it in 1969 in Los Angeles, California.
It’s the biggest and most aggressive street gang in the United States. States like California, Texas, and Oklahoma have the highest number of Crips members.
Some Crips members have even served in the United States armed forces, besides military bases.
They earn monetary benefits by involving criminal activities such as drug dealing, illegal gambling, extortion, pimping, murder, theft, and robbery.
Crips can be identified by their clothing, which often features the color blue.
Allies of Crips
Crips have an alliance with Folk Nation called “8-ball,” formed in the late 1980s and 1990s when Crips members were sent to prison.
Their association was strong inside the prison but soon became less effective outside. Thus, the alliance broke, and individual sets of Crips were formed.
Other Allies of Crips
- Black Power
- Juggalos
- Black Guerilla Family
- Sin City Disciples MC
- Tiny Rascal Gang
- American Mafia
- Gangster Disciples
Rivals of Crips
The Crips have the biggest rivalry with the Bloods. This rivalry started in the 1960s when Washington and other Crip members attacked two students at Centennial High School, Sylvester Scott, and Benson Owens.
Other Rival Gangs
- People Nation
- Aryan Brotherhood
- United Blood Nation
- Tiny Rascal Gang
- Florencia 13
- Latin Kings
- Playboys
- Venice 13
- Santa Monica 13
If you’ve enjoyed this article, check out our post comparing rap versus hip hop.