Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police are concerned about a possible turf war between two of Charlotte's most notorious gangs: The "Bloods" and The "Kings". The gang graffiti appeared overnight in the Hidden Valley neighborhood, located in East Charlotte. Understandably, the residents are on edge after gang graffiti appeared in their neighborhood. The graffiti was done in red spray-paint in and said "Blood City." The color red is used to designate the "Bloods" gang. Charlotte police have fought gang activity in the Hidden Valley neighborhood before- but officers said gang activity in the area has always been associated with the "Hidden Valley Kings" gang.
Police said they believe this latest tagging signifies that the group wants to move in on a neighborhood where the Kings have operated from in the past. Now police worry about the Bloods moving into the area - an action that usually results in a turf war, police said. Photo Left: Gang Signs
Officers that work with the CMPD gang unit took pictures of the graffiti late Saturday afternoon. The spray painting or "tagging" on the street was done overnight on Friday. The gang unit is responsible for documenting which gangs are leaving graffiti and where- to keep tabs on where the gangs are operating.
Most of Charlotte's gang members are between 16 and 24. Police in Charlotte have identified 71 gangs, the largest being MS 13, Kings, Crips and Bloods. Officers documented about 850 gang members in Charlotte-Mecklenburg but believe as many as 1,300 could be active.
Source: WCNC
Gang Info Links:
* CMPD Gang Intelligence Unit
* NC Gang Investigator Assoc
* Gang Tattoos Photos / * Gang Graffiti Photos / * Gang Clothing Photos
* Gang Of One- Fighting Gangs in Charlotte, NC - Brochure
* East Coast Gang Investigators Assoc.