BACKGROUND: The Bloods originated at the Sentennial High School from the Piru gang, which took its name from Piru Street in Compton, California. It formed to protect members from the Crips, and then other gangs with the same motive started using the names Piru and Bloods to signify alignment with the main gang. Although the Bloods are a smaller group than the Crips, they are potentially dangerous, particularly when present in any numbers. The Bloods present a significant threat to correctional administrators not only due to their predatory and violent behavior, but more importantly due to their intense rivalry with the Crips. As do the Crips, the Bloods have a strong fascination with assault-type weapons. MEMBERSHIP: California members of this gang are typically from South-Central Los Angeles; they have similar attitudes about group loyalty and violence. Like the Crips, the Bloods love to be in the limelight. They are especially arrogant, and believe that acting naive about them conveys weakness. Bloods members will seize every opportunity to lie and portray the image that they respect only those who are “bigger and badder”. The Bloods (and the Crips as well) say, as a group, that “snitching” or becoming an informant is forbidden. However, once removed from their group, they are usually easier to deal with, possibly due to their belief that they are shrewd businessmen. The Blood also have their own system of “Flashing” or hand signals used to identify membership in a particular gang or set. IDENTIFYING INFORMATION: Traditionally, Bloods have always worn red colors, using red bandannas or red rags; similar graffiti and graphic styles, emphasizing disrespect for Crips and Crips symbols. Recently, a new trend appears to have arisen. Bloods in some eastern states have reportedly been known to wear brown, tan and rust or burnt orange colors to represent "dried" blood. They have also been known to wear pink, a variation of the color red. ALLIES: Any gang who considers the Crips an enemy. ENEMIES: Crips UNITED BLOOD NATION PRAYER AND PLEDGE PRAYER Will I ride? Yes I ride. Only because I bang with pride. When I die bury me 3ft up with red on me. Rest in sleep, best believe I rest in the East. If I die in the street, don’t forget to bang for me. If I live a G, won’t forget the enemy. They lay out to rest hit 031 upon my chest. PLEDGE I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United Blood Nation. I pledge my heart and soul to the flag-N-to all my brothers and sisters in the UBN “UBL” or any other nation a part of the Bloods. I pledge to represent the flag to the death of me. No one or nothing will be allowed to come before my almighty Blood Nation. I give my life as well as take one for my UBN “UBL”. With this oath, I pledge my life to the UBN “UBL” and all its sets. R.I.P. O.G. TYE. WHAT THAT RED BE LIKE? I’m 5 poppin 6 droppin crip killin to my crucifixition. Every time I look at the sky and look at the ground 3 tears fall from my right eye. Dam I miss my O.G. Tye. 5 poppin 6 droppin 5 alive 6 must die (refers to Bloods killing Crips) Rest in peace to the O.G. Mack What that white be like? - the day we rest What that brown be like? – the dirt we came from What that black flag be like? - do for anything What that blue be like? - Bloods up Crips down What that green be like? – The money we spend, the grass we walk on, the trees we smoke that baby love cali Blood Book of Knowledge As with many other facets of life, the gang culture changes everyday. New, copycat or hybrid gangs form everyday and many mimic the more well known gangs such as the Bloods, Crips, and others. Frequently these gangs have only partial information or knowledge of such things as the original gangs codes, alphabets, or books of knowledge. Consequently, they often create, add to, o