Michigan has a rich history, a diversified culture, and breathtaking scenery. However, the state has several issues, including economic decline, urban deterioration, and high crime rates. Gangs operating in numerous cities and areas provide one of the most severe risks to public safety and order in Michigan.
These gangs are involved in a variety of crimes, including drug trafficking, robbery, burglary, murder, and extortion. They also endanger the neighborhoods in which they live by frequently engaging in violent clashes with rival gangs or police. In this post, we’ll look at five of the most deadly gangs sweeping over Michigan, ranking them by size, influence, and brutality.
1. Latin Counts
The Latin Counts are a Hispanic street gang that formed in Detroit during the 1960s. They are members of the People Nation, a huge union of gangs that share common insignia and adversaries. The Latin Counts have a significant presence in southwest Detroit, where they control the drug trade and extort local businesses.
They also operate in other sections of Michigan, including Pontiac, Flint, and Lansing. The Latin Counts are notorious for their extreme commitment to their gang and animosity for their competitors, particularly Folk Nation groups like the Gangster Disciples and the Latin Kings. The Latin Counts have been involved in several shootings, stabbings, and killings, both inside and beyond their jurisdiction. They are also infamous for their cruelty and intimidation techniques, which include torturing and mutilating their victims.
2. Maria Salvatrucha
The Mara Salvatrucha, often known as MS-13, is a multinational street gang that formed in Los Angeles in the 1980s. They are primarily comprised of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. The Mara Salvatrucha is becoming more common in Michigan, with reports coming from Detroit, Lansing, and Grand Rapids, among other areas.
The Mara Salvatrucha engages in a variety of illegal operations, including people trafficking, drug smuggling, robbery, and murder. They are also notorious for their ferocity and cruelty since they frequently use machetes, knives, and guns to murder their victims and leave behind evidence of their presence, such as graffiti and tattoos.
3. Aryan Brotherhood
The Aryan Brotherhood is a white supremacist prison group founded in California in the 1960s. They are also referred to as the Brand, AB, or One-Two. The Aryan Brotherhood has a modest but significant presence in Michigan, operating mostly in prisons and jails, but also on the streets. The Aryan Brotherhood engages in a variety of criminal enterprises, including drug trafficking, racketeering, and murder-for-hire.
They are also notorious for their brutality and prejudice, as they frequently target and kill people of different races, particularly blacks and Hispanics, or anyone who disagrees with their philosophy. The Aryan Brotherhood is a rigid and clandestine organization that employs symbols like swastikas, shamrocks, and SS bolts to identify itself.
4. Gangster Disciples
The Gangster Disciples are an African American street gang that formed in Chicago during the 1960s. They are members of the Folk Nation, a huge union of gangs that share common emblems and opponents. The Gangster Disciples have a large and well-organized network throughout the country, with strongholds in Detroit, Flint, Saginaw, and Grand Rapids.
The Gangster Disciples engage in a variety of criminal acts, including drug trafficking, robbery, extortion, and murder. They are also recognized for their complexity and discipline, since they adhere to a tight code of conduct and hierarchy, communicating and identifying themselves using symbols and codes.
5. Vice Lords
The Vice Lords are an African American street gang that formed in Chicago during the 1950s. They are also linked with the People Nation and have a sizable and diversified membership around the country. The Vice Lords have a strong presence in Michigan, particularly in Detroit, where there are multiple factions, including the Traveling Vice Lords, the Insane Vice Lords, and the Conservative Vice Lords.
The Vice Lords are involved in a variety of illegal activities, including drug delivery, robbery, fraud, and prostitution. They are also notorious for their brutality and corruption since they frequently conflict with other gangs including the Gangster Disciples and the Black P. Stones, as well as bribing and infiltrating public officials and institutions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Michigan confronts serious difficulties from deadly gangs such as the Latin Counts, MS-13, Aryan Brotherhood, Gangster Disciples, and Vice Lords. These gangs operate throughout cities and engage in a variety of illegal acts, presenting a threat to public safety. Vigilant law enforcement actions and community participation are critical in tackling gang-related concerns across the state.