GANGS IN THE CITY OF KERMAN.
As we all know gangs have been in this country for many years formed for various reasons and purposes. There are hundreds of gangs that are active in the State of California and several that are active in Fresno County with several smaller subsets.
The main gangs that are active in the City of Kerman are the Fresno Bulldogs (Westside Bulldogs) and Southerners (South Side, Sur13). The Kerman Police Department uses several different techniques to gather intelligence on the activities of these gangs to curb crimes, educate parents and juveniles about gangs and gang violence.
As part of our continued and committed effort to reduce criminal gang activity, membership and association we conduct several sweeps (patrol) using the SID (Special Investigations Division) team. We also work aggressively with the Kerman Unified School District by providing several classes every year to the educators as well as parents who are often in denial and not aware of their child's involvement with gangs. We also work with parents through the SRO (School Resource Officer) Program to provide valuable assistance should they have any questions or come across any indicators that their child may be involved in gangs. We all must understand that being pro-active and involved in your child's daily life is invaluable.
Fresno Bulldogs
There are some validated, active members that reside within the City of Kerman that claim membership and or association with the Fresno Bulldogs. The bulldog gang members from Kerman often refer to themselves as the Westside Bulldogs or Kerman Bulldogs. We do have bulldog gang members from other sets from Fresno such “NSF” North Side Fresno Bulldogs that reside here in Kerman as well.
The Bulldogs use the following symbols:
•
The Fresno State University mascot “bulldog”.
The Fresno State University mascot “bulldog”.•Primarily red colored clothing such as Fresno State shirts with or without the bulldog symbol.
Primarily red colored clothing such as Fresno State shirts with or without the bulldog symbol.•Solid red shirts, red belt with the letter “b” for bulldog.
Solid red shirts, red belt with the letter “b” for bulldog.•Baseball caps with the letter “B” for bulldog, “P” (Perro, means - DOG in Spanish), Fresno state on cap.
Baseball caps with the letter “B” for bulldog, “P” (Perro, means - DOG in Spanish), Fresno state on cap.•Red colored bandanas.
Red colored bandanas.•Tattoos of bulldog face, face and body of bulldog, dog paw and or dog collar around the neck.
Tattoos of bulldog face, face and body of bulldog, dog paw and or dog collar around the neck.•The letters “BDS”, F-14.
The letters “BDS”, F-14.South Side
There are some validated, active members that reside within the City of Kerman that claim membership and or association with the Surenos. There are a few smaller sub sets such as Sixth Street and other smaller sets in the outlying county areas.
The Surenos are the street level of the Mexican Mafia and use the following symbols:
•13, XIII, X3, SUR13(means the 13th letter of the alphabet, M or eMe for Mexican Mafia)
13, XIII, X3, SUR13(means the 13th letter of the alphabet, M or eMe for Mexican Mafia)•the colors Blue
the colors Blue•the letters M and S
the letters M and S•The Term “Brown Pride”
The Term “Brown Pride”•three dots which stand for “Mi Vida Loca” or “my crazy life”
three dots which stand for “Mi Vida Loca” or “my crazy life”•The Mexican Mafia was formed in the late 1950s by Chicano street gang members incarcerated at the Deuel Vocational Institution, a state prison located in Tracy, California
The Mexican Mafia was formed in the late 1950s by Chicano street gang members incarcerated at the Deuel Vocational Institution, a state prison located in Tracy, California •Motto “BLOOD IN BLOOD OUT”
Motto “BLOOD IN BLOOD OUT”What is a Gang?
PC 186.22(f) - An ongoing group of three or more people, whether formal of informal, having a common name, sign or symbol, whose members individually or collectively engage in, or have engaged in, a pattern of criminal activity.
Who is a Gang Member?
Penal Code 186.22 (a) - A person who actively participates in a criminal street gang, has knowledge that its members engage in, or have engaged in, a pattern of criminal gang activity and willfully promotes, furthers, or assists in any criminal conduct by its members.
Why Young people join Gangs.
•Affection
Affection•Belonging
Belonging•Recognition
Recognition•INTIMIDATION
INTIMIDATIONSome indicators that your child may be involved with GANGS.
Avoiding family functions
Avoiding family functionsSudden demands of privacy or freedom of action w/o parental control
Sudden demands of privacy or freedom of action w/o parental controlFrequent and increasing combative behavior
Frequent and increasing combative behaviorLoss of old friends
Loss of old friendsNew friends with negative influences
New friends with negative influencesAssociation with gang members/gang associates
Association with gang members/gang associatesUnusual or significant changes
Unusual or significant changesWearing gang colors or a gang “uniform”
Wearing gang colors or a gang “uniform”A predominance of particular colors
A predominance of particular colorsSudden dislike of particular colors
Sudden dislike of particular colorsWearing clothing with identifying names or symbols
Wearing clothing with identifying names or symbolsSignificant drop in grades, no homework and no interest in any kind of school activities
Significant drop in grades, no homework and no interest in any kind of school activitiesDifficulty getting along with others
Difficulty getting along with othersChallenging authority at home and elsewhere
Challenging authority at home and elsewhereUse of alcohol and /or illicit drugs
Use of alcohol and /or illicit drugsHanging around areas of gang activity
Hanging around areas of gang activityPossession of weapons
Possession of weaponsPossession of money or expensive articles without your permission or awareness
Possession of money or expensive articles without your permission or awarenessUse of language of hand signs
Use of language of hand signsFrequent Law Enforcement contacts.
Frequent Law Enforcement contacts.Denial is not the answer. Please be involved in your child's daily routine and participate in school events such as sports and other activities with your child. Learn who your child is with at school and who he spends his time with afterschool. Help your child with their homework, spend time with them. Monitor computer activity. Talk to your kids about such issues as gangs, drugs, sex and violence and have an open and positive line of communication.
The Kerman Police Department stands committed in helping the citizens of Kerman and our youth. Please contact Sgt T. Cubillos or Officer L. NESS if you have any questions or need further assistance with gang related graffiti, clothing and resistance.
We also provide presentations for church groups, neighborhood groups or anyone else that is interested in learning more about gangs.
Contact information
Sgt T. Cubillos
559-846-6634
Officer L. NESS
559-846-6634
