What does a star mean in graffiti?

The acronym LOC is often used by members of the Crips to signify “Love of Crip.”. Crips wear a star with six points, known as a Star of David.

What does the removal of graffiti mean to a gang member?

While many people who spray-paint on walls are not associated with gangs, graffiti is a vital tool to gang members, who use it to establish their territory. Police say one way to disrupt gang activity is to remove the markings or cover them up. Advertisement.

Is all graffiti gang-related?

Although not all graffiti is gang-related, gangs use graffiti as a means to identify members and territory, which is called “tagging.” Graffiti also promotes gang conflict and drug sales. Graffiti comes from the Greek word graphein, which means to write.

Why do Crips use 6?

The Star of David and the pitch fork with the number 6 are all used various cliques within the Crips. The graffiti seen above was made by a member of the Crips. LOC commonly used by members of the Crips stands for “Love of Crip.” The six pointed star commonly referred to as the Star of David is used by the Crips.

What does X4 graffiti mean?

Culture. Norteños use the number 14 which represents the fourteenth letter of the English alphabet, the letter N, in order to pay allegiance to Nuestra Familia. It is sometimes written in Roman numerals as XIV, or a hybrid of Roman and Arabic numerals, X4. Norteños use the color red to signify affiliation.

Is graffiti usually gang-related?

Many people believe that graffiti signals the presences of a gang. While gang graffiti is unnerving, less than 10% of all graffiti nationwide is gang-related.

What are the most common gang symbols in graffiti?

Another common symbol in His­panic gang graffiti is the letter “R” or the word “Rifa,” both of which are short for “we are the best,” or “we are No. I.” Many gangs are now using the Spanish word, “somos,” which stands for “we are” and plac­ing it on top of the gang roster.

Is gang graffiti a useful source of information?

But once you are able to decipher their source and secret mes­sages, graffiti becomes a useful source of information. Gang graffiti can be written in a variety of writing styles. Large block or stick letters are most commonly used, whereas Hispan­ic gang graffiti is usu­ally more intricate.

What is a graffiti signature called?

Also referred to as “straights”, “blockbusters” and sometimes “simples” are a direct, blocky, more readable and simpler style of graffiti. Straight letters can be read by anyone and usually contain only two colors and are most commonly completed in arrangements of silver, black, and/or white. A stylized signature, normally done in one color.

What is a tag in graffiti?

A stylized signature, normally done in one color. The simplest and most prevalent type of graffiti, a tag is often done in a color that contrasts sharply with its background. Tag can also be used as a verb meaning “to sign”. Writers often tag on or beside their pieces, following the practice of traditional artists who sign their artwork.