Michigan has seen an alarming increase in gang activity, with various criminal organizations exerting their power throughout the state. These gangs engage in a variety of illegal activities, including drug trafficking, violence, and organized crime, putting communities in danger.
Law enforcement organizations are dealing with well-established groups that frequently use large resources and intimidation tactics. Among the most dangerous are five known gangs that have been tied to an increase in crime and violence throughout Michigan.
As these gangs spread their influence, local authorities are stepping up efforts to dismantle their activities and restore safety. This article investigates these gangs and the threat they pose to Michigan’s public safety.
1. Latin Counts
The Latin Counts are a Hispanic street gang that originated in Detroit in the 1960s. They are members of the People Nation, a massive alliance of gangs with similar symbols and adversaries. The Latin Counts maintain a strong presence in southwest Detroit, where they control the drug trade and extort local businesses.
They also operate in other parts of Michigan, including Pontiac, Flint, and Lansing. The Latin Counts are infamous for their fierce loyalty to their gang and hostility toward their rivals, notably Folk Nation factions such as the Gangster Disciples and the Latin Kings.
The Latin Counts have been involved in some shootings, stabbings, and murders, both within and outside their authority. They are also known for their violent and intimidating tactics, which include torturing and mutilating their victims.
2. Mariana Salvatrucha
The Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS-13, is a worldwide street gang founded in Los Angeles in the 1980s. They are predominantly made up of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. The Mara Salvatrucha is becoming increasingly widespread in Michigan, with reports coming from Detroit, Lansing, and Grand Rapids, among other places.
The Mara Salvatrucha is involved in some illicit activities, including human trafficking, drug smuggling, robbery, and murder. They are also known for their fury and cruelty, since they frequently murder their victims with machetes, knives, and guns, leaving evidence of their presence in the form of graffiti and tattoos.
3. Aryan Brotherhood
The Aryan Brotherhood is a white supremacist prison organization created in California in the 1960s. They are also known as The Brand, AB, or One-Two. The Aryan Brotherhood has a tiny but significant presence in Michigan, working primarily in prisons and jails but also on the streets. The Aryan Brotherhood is involved in a range of criminal activities, including drug trafficking, racketeering, and murder-for-hire.
They are also known for their cruelty and racism since they routinely target and murder persons of different races, notably blacks and Hispanics, or anyone who disagrees with their beliefs. The Aryan Brotherhood is a rigorous and covert society that uses symbols such as swastikas, shamrocks, and SS bolts to identify itself.
4. Gangster Disciples
The Gangster Disciples are an African American street gang that originated in Chicago in the 1960s. They are part of the Folk Nation, a vast network of gangs with similar insignia and opponents. The Gangster Disciples operate a vast and well-organized network across the country, with strongholds in Detroit, Flint, Saginaw, and Grand Rapids.
The Gangster Disciples engage in a wide range of criminal activities, including drug trafficking, robbery, extortion, and murder. They are also known for their complexity and discipline, as they follow a strict code of behavior and hierarchy while communicating and identifying themselves through symbols and codes.
5. Vice Lords
The Vice Lords are an African-American street gang that originated in Chicago in the 1950s. They are also affiliated with the People Nation and have a large and diverse membership around the country.
The Vice Lords have a large presence in Michigan, notably in Detroit, where there are three factions: the Traveling Vice Lords, the Insane Vice Lords, and the Conservative Vice Lords.
The Vice Lords engage in some illicit activities, including drug trafficking, robbery, fraud, and prostitution. They are also known for their brutality and corruption, having repeatedly clashed with rival gangs such as the Gangster Disciples and the Black P. Stones, as well as bribing and infiltrating public officials and organizations.
Conclusion
Michigan has a rising gang problem, with these five prominent organizations inflicting extensive crime and violence. While law enforcement increases its efforts to counteract their influence, the continuous threat posed by these gangs emphasizes the importance of continued vigilance and public safety actions.