The Jordan Downs Grape Street Crips - Gang Mentality (2024)

Watts is a historic neighborhood in South Los Angeles, California. It has some deep history and a lot of different gangs. Among these gangs includes the infamous Grape Street Crips. The GSC trace their roots all the way back to the 1950s before crips and bloods existed, lets take a look at the History of this notorious LA street gang.

History

Grape Street gang was created in the Jordan Downs Projects in the 1950s. In the 1950s gangs like the Bloods and Crips were not around yet. Grape Street originated was first formed as a mexican street gang.

Starting in “La Colonia” Watts and named after one of the streets in the neighborhood. Grape Street was first known as the “watts Varrio Grape Street”. This gang would have its first days as a “Chicano” gang, then slowly turn into a “Hybrid Gang” and later shift into what we know as the Grape Street Watts Crips, which have spread across the country.

The split between the Latino(Southside Watts Grape) and Black Grape Street members happened due to the Latinos pledging allegiance to the Mexican Mafia, this crew would become a Sureno clique.

The Black members would change their name to the Eastside Grape Street Watts Crips and join the ever growing Crip nation. Although joing the Crips, the Grapes would choose purple as their color.

Now as a Crip set, the Grapes would end up beefing with the Blood set down the street, the ruthless Bounty Hunter Bloods.

This would spark the alliance with the infamous and as ruthless and dangerous, Eight Tray Gangster Crips, and other neighboring Compton Crip sets.

In the late 70s Wayne “Honcho” Day began to rise to the top of the Grape Streets Crips. It was under his watch that the Grapes would become a big player in the crack and PCP drug trade.

Since then the Grape Street Watts Crips have continued to rule the Jordan Downs Projects along side other gangs in the area.

Turf

Being from Watts, there are a bunch of active gangs in the area, Grape Street needs to stay active to continue to hold their hood. They claim grape street to 97th street, between Alameda Street and 103rd street.

The other gangs in their surrounding area includes:

  • Bishop Bloods
  • Ivy Street Watts 13
  • Elm Street Watts 13
  • East Coast Neighborhood Crips
  • Compton Avenue Watts Crips
  • Beach Town Mafia Crips
  • Watts Franklin Square Crips
  • Hacienda Village Watts Bloods
  • Bad Ass Gangster Crips
  • Fudge Town Mafia Crips
  • Kansas Street 13
  • Willow Street 13
  • Weigand Colonia Watts 13

Watts Sets

Like most Crip sets in LA, the Grape Street Crips are made up of a bunch of sub sets.

  • Anzac Grape Street Watts Crips (different from the ones in Compton)
  • 95th Grape Street Watts Crips (one way streets)
  • 97th Grape Street Watts Crips-Bandera Blocc (one-way streets)
  • 103rd Grape Street Watts Baby Loc Crips (in the Jordan Downs Housing Projects)
  • 105th Grape Street Watts Baby Locs (New Homes, Blue Gate Baby Locs)
  • 107th Grape Street Watts Baby Locs Crip (off of Santana-the original street)
  • 112th Grape Street Watts Crip (near Willowbrook St. near the train tracks)
  • Dustown Hawgs
  • Real Bo$$ Playaz
  • East Side Kids
  • Ten-Tray Ballaz (they live in the Blu-Gates)
  • Parolees
  • Playville
  • Tip-Top

Allies

  • South Side Watts Varrio Grape
  • Grape Street Crips New Jersey
  • Eight Tray Gangster Crips
  • Rollin 30s Harlem Crips
  • Compton Crips

Rivals

  • Bounty Hunter Bloods
  • PJ Watts Crips
  • Hacienda Village Bloods
  • Circle City Piru
  • Ten Line Gangster Crips
  • East Coast Crips
  • Fudge Town Mafia Crips
  • 99 Watts Mafia Crips
  • Rollin 60s Neighborhood Crips
  • Florencia 13

Leader

When the Watts Grape Street Crips started getting more organized in the 1970s, Wayne “Honcho” Day was the man that stepped up to lead them.

He was known on the streets and around Watts as “Honcho”. Honcho would lead the Grapes in a national crime ring that would distribute cocain and crack from Mexico to cities in the midwest and the South. He made millions doing this, which made him a target to law enforcement.

In 1997, Honcho was sentenced to 19 years in prison.

Wayne Alfred Day, age 40 was arrested at a motel on the Las Vegas Strip. He was taken down as the he was one of the original (OG) leaders of the Grape Street Crips.

Along with Honchoss arrest, 48 members of his gang and other affiliates were indicted. A federal arrest warrant was issued for Honchos arrest on charges and conspiracy to distributing cocaine.

Honcho was a real OG and put in a lot of work.

In 2007 Honcho was released from prison and went on to live a cleaner life style.

New Jersey Grape Street Crips

The Watts Eastside Grape Street Crips aren’t the only crew that has been putting in work. The New Jersey Grape Street Crips have been putting in work and are a big time drug distributer on the east coast.

In October of 2015, 14 gang members of the New Jersey Grapes were indicted on racketeering, violent crimes in aid of racketeering, drug trafficking, firearms offenses and other related crimes.

In a a long running investigation, law enforcement and FBI were able to arrest 71 members of this drug ring on federal and state charges.

They claimed the New Jersey Grape Street Crips controlled the drug trafficking and other criminal activities in multiple areas around Newark, which included the projects at Pennington Court, Oscar Miles, the Millard Terrell Homes, along with other projects.

Member Bids

CountOffenseDefendant(s)Max Penalties
1Racketeering ConspiracyKwasi Mack, a/k/a “Welchs,” “The Prince,” “Mini Me,” 26, BellevilleCorey Batts, a/k/a “C-Murder,” “Cee,” 30, NewarkHakeem Vanderhall, a/k/a “Keem,” “Sugar Bear,” 31, East OrangeEric Concepcion, a/k/a “Eddie Arroyo,” “E-Wax,” “Wax,” 28, CliftonJustin Carnegie, a/k/a “Dew Hi,” “Dew,” “D,” 28, East OrangeAhmed Singleton, a/k/a “Gangsta-Moo,” “Gangsta,” “Mooshie,” 26, NewarkJamar Hamilton, a/k/a “Gunner,” 26, TottowaTyquan Clark, a/k/a “Tah,” 28, NewarkRashan Washington, a/k/a “Shoota,” 25, NewarkHanee Cureton, a/k/a “City” 30, SpringfieldKhalil Stafford, a/k/a “Stod,” “Homicide,” 31, NewarkJames S. Gutierrez, a/k/a “Bad News,” 24, NewarkLife imprisonment;$250,000 fine
2Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Aid of RacketeeringKwasi MackCorey Batts10 years in prison; $250,000 fine
3Attempted Murder in Aid of RacketeeringKwasi MackCorey Batts10 years in prison; $250,000 fine
4Attempted Murder in Aid of RacketeeringKwasi MackCorey Batts10 years in prison; $250,000 fine
5Conspiracy to Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of RacketeeringKwasi MackCorey Batts3 years in prison; $250,000 fine
6Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of RacketeeringKwasi MackCorey Batts20 years in prison; $250,000 fine
7Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of RacketeeringKwasi MackCorey Batts20 years in prison; $250,000 fine
8Use of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of ViolenceKwasi MackCorey BattsLife imprisonment; 10-year mandatory minimum; $250,000 fine
9Conspiracy to Possess a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of ViolenceKwasi MackCorey Batts20 years in prison; $250,000 fine
10Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of RacketeeringKwasi Mack20 years in prison; $250,000 fine
11Conspiracy to Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of RacketeeringKwasi MackJustin CarnegieRashan WashingtonAaron Terrell, a/k/a “Push” 24, Newark3 years in prison; $250,000 fine
12Conspiracy to Possess a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of ViolenceKwasi MackJustin CarnegieRashan WashingtonAaron Terrell20 years in prison; $250,000 fine
13Use of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of ViolenceKwasi MackLife in prison; 25-year mandatory minimum; $250,000 fine
14Conspiracy to Distribute HeroinKwasi MackLife in prison;10-year mandatory minimum; $10,000,000 fine
Corey BattsLife in prison; 20-year mandatory minimum; $10,000,000 fine
15Distribution, and Possession with Intent to Distribute, HeroinCorey Batts30 years in prison; $2,000,000 fine
1630 years in prison; $2,000,000 fine
1730 years in prison; $2,000,000 fine
18Use of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug-Trafficking CrimeKwasi MackLife in prison; 25-year mandatory minimum; $250,000 fine
19Use of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug-Trafficking CrimeCorey BattsLife in prison; 25-year mandatory minimum; $250,000 fine
20Conspiracy to Distribute Crack-CocaineHakeem VanderhallEric ConcepcionJamar HamiltonTyquan ClarkRashan WashingtonJames S. GutierrezLife in prison;10-year mandatory minimum; $10,000,000 fine
21Continuing Criminal EnterpriseHakeem VanderhallEric ConcepcionJamar HamiltonTyquan ClarkRashan WashingtonLife in prison; 20-year mandatory minimum
22Conspiracy to Distribute HeroinJustin CarnegieAhmed SingletonLife in prison;10-year mandatory minimum; $10,000,000 fine
23Conspiracy to Distribute HeroinHanee CuretonKhalil StaffordLateef Grimsley, a/k/a “Bird,” 26, NewarkLife in prison;10-year mandatory minimum; $10,000,000 fine
24Distribution of HeroinKhalil StaffordLife in prison;10-year mandatory minimum; $10,000,000 fine
25Distribution of HeroinHanee CuretonLife in prison;10-year mandatory minimum; $10,000,000 fine
26Felon-in-Possession of a FirearmKwasi Mack10 years in prison; $250,000 fine
27Felon-in-Possession of a FirearmCorey Batts10 years in prison; $250,000 fine

Tagged CripsGrape Street CripsWattsWatts gangs

The Jordan Downs Grape Street Crips - Gang Mentality (2024)

FAQs

What gang is in Jordan Downs? ›

By the mid-1980s, Jordan Downs was known as one of the homes of the newly prominent street gang the Crips. In 1989, claiming that HACLA had failed to improve quality of life at the project, executive director Leila Gonzalez-Correa announced plans to sell the project to a private developer at market value.

Who are the Grape Street Crips enemies? ›

Grape Street Watts Crips
Grape Street, Los Angeles
Founding locationWatts
Years active1970s – 2008
TerritoryCalifornia, Tennessee, New Jersey
RivalsBounty Hunter Bloods

Why are Grape Street Crips purple? ›

The Grape Street Crips are a predominantly black street gang from South Los Santos. In addition to wearing blue & grey, the Grape Street Crips sport the color purple to signify Jamestown street, a north-south street in South Los Santos. They occupy Jamestown Street and Carson Avenue.

What hats do Grape Street Crips wear? ›

The Grape Street Watts Crips are a mostly African American... Members of the Grape Street Watts Crips pose with their shotguns and wear their gang's signature Vikings baseball caps.

What gang is purple? ›

The Purple Gang, also known as the Sugar House Gang, was a criminal mob of bootleggers and hijackers composed predominantly of Jewish gangsters. They operated in Detroit, Michigan, during the 1920s of the Prohibition era and came to be Detroit's dominant criminal gang.

What are the activities of the Grape Street Crips? ›

The Grape Street Crips have also been known to feud with other gangs such as the Eight Tray Gangster Crips, the Hoover Criminals, and other Crips and Bloods. Grape Street Crips has been involved in numerous criminal activities, such as drug trafficking, home invasions, robberies, and gang shootings.

Who is the Crips biggest rival? ›

The Bloods are a primarily African-American street gang which was founded in Los Angeles, California. The gang is widely known for its rivalry with the Crips. It is identified by the red color worn by its members and by particular gang symbols, including distinctive hand signs.

What are the ranks in Crip? ›

They have no charter or national hierarchy. Local sets vary in their level of formal structure, from no formal leadership, to a hierarchy which consists of a leader, lieutenants, drug coordinators, soldiers, and drug couriers.

What is the Crips blood rivalry? ›

The Crips and the Bloods, two street gangs founded in Los Angeles, California, have been in a gang war since the 1970s. The war is made up of smaller, local conflicts perpetrated by chapters of both gangs, and has mostly taken place in major cities in the United States, especially Los Angeles (L.A.).

What does Crip actually stand for? ›

The name and what it stands for remain in debate, with Crip possibly referring to the gang "crippling" its enemies or an acronym for "Community Revolution In Progress." Early on in the gang's history, the color blue came to be associated with the Crips, with gang members wearing blue clothing and bandanas.

What is the meaning of Grape Street? ›

In more recent decades, its name has been associated with notorious gangs like the Grape Street Watts Crips. But back in 1904, Grape was simply the “G” in an alphabetical series of tree-themed streets laid out in the Burkhard Home tract, located due south of Firestone Boulevard (then still part of Manchester Avenue).

What does a green bandana mean? ›

About the Green Bandana Project

Students can take the pledge to be a mental health advocate by attaching a green bandana to their backpacks. The presence of the bandana indicates that the student is a safe individual for other struggling students to approach when they are seeking mental health support.

Are Crips allowed to wear red? ›

Gang Identification

It is extremely important to realize and understand that not everyone who wears a particular color, or who has a tattoo, is a gang member. Bloods wear red, Crips wear blue. There are thousands of gangs in the U.S. and most identify with one or more colors of every description.

Why do Crips wear blue? ›

The Crips were well-known for their rivalry with the Bloods—even though infighting caused three times more deaths. In an effort to distingush between the gang members, the Crips began wearing blue clothing or other items, while the Bloods became associated with red.

Do Crips wear grey? ›

Crips, a notorious gang in the United States, are known for wearing the color blue as a part of their identity. This can include blue bandanas, clothing, or accessories like hats. While gray is not a primary color associated with Crips, individual gang members may wear gray clothing from time to time.

What gang is Mac Baller? ›

The Mac Baller Brims gang was a criminal enterprise, and its members and associates committed numerous acts of violence, including shootings, in and around the Bronx. They engaged in such acts to preserve and protect their power, territory, and profits, and to promote and enhance the gang and its criminal activities.

What gang neighborhood is Kendrick Lamar from? ›

Lamar experienced the 1992 Los Angeles riots during his childhood. Lamar and his family lived in Section 8 housing, were reliant on welfare and food stamps, and experienced homelessness. Although he is not a member of a particular gang, he grew up with close affiliates of the Westside Pirus.

What gang is Six Deuce? ›

The Crips, primarily, but not exclusively, an African American gang founded in Los Angeles in 1971, is one of the largest and most violent street gangs in the United States, with an estimated membership of 30,000. Notice the use of the basic lettering style.

Are there Crips in Memphis? ›

Gang activity happens in rural areas, but it is most prevalent in predominantly black communities such as North Memphis, South Memphis, Frayser, Northhaven, Whitehaven, Binghampton, Orange Mound, and Hickory Hill. Memphis' Riverside community is primarily the territory of the Riverside Rollin' 90's Crips.

References

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