Varrio Hang Out Boys 55
Varrio Hang Out Boys or 55 Hang Out Boys 13, also known as H.O.B or HOB is a predominantly Mexican-American criminal street gang located on the West Side of Vinewood Los Santos, San Andreas. The heart of their territory is at the intersection of Alta Street & Spanish Avenue. South of Vinewood Boulevard. They’re a smaller gang in comparison to their counterparts, but they’ve shown they're a force to be reckoned with. Their involvement in substantial gang-related activities backs this claim.
1986, Los Hang Out Boys In 1986, before Varrio Hang Out Boys existed, they were innocently enough, just a group of teenagers seeking camaraderie and friendship on the streets of Vinewood. The intersection of Alta Street & Spanish Avenue quickly turned into a hotbed for crime and gang related activities in Vinewood. Which subsequently the would-be Hang Out Boys fell victim to.
Constantly targeted by local gang members and drug addicts, the Hang Out Boys found themselves falling victim to a world of violence. The turning point came when a fellow member named Minor was in a near-death situation with a local gang member from Street Villains 13 in a targeted attack, barely escaping with his life. Confused and enraged by the attack, the Hang Out Boys were fed up and wanted to retaliate after seeing their close friend get so close to death.
A pivotal meeting was held following the incident, they made a decision to transform themselves from a group of teenagers into a formidable street gang. After shooting a few names back and forth, Hang Out Boys was officially off the ground and in the streets. Bombing walls, using homemade weaponry to retaliate on two neighboring gangs in the Vinewood area, HOB started getting their name in the streets. They sought out and vetted people they knew for recruitment. They turned to a local skateboarding crew that had often given them problems, and the Hang Out Boys convinced them to get on board with the program.
2009, Hang Out Boys & 55 Bunch As the years passed, the conflict between H.O.B. and various other gangs continued. Hang Out Boys never had many allies because they considered themselves formidable enough to stand their ground in the notoriously seedy Vinewood area despite their limited membership. However, they were often acquainted with the 55 Bunch Gang, also commonly known as Varrio 55th Street.
This gang was known to be located in the 50s, a roughly nine to ten block distance away from the Hang Out Boys. They’ve frequently been reported to have similar rivals which could be the primary motivation behind their soon to be alliance. It is reported that in 2009, they participated in a combined attack on the Playboys 13 gang in West Vinewood, killing a member in retaliation for the death of a known rapper, as well as reputable gang member Lil Joker from 55 Bunch. The witness is said to be the fallen Playboys 13 member's girlfriend, and she identified three separate shooters, one from Hang Out Boys and two from 55 Bunch.
Hang Out Boys also had to cope with a fierce turf dispute between themselves, 4-Pacc Gangster Crips, and the 41st Street Gang because they were all on top of each other. This was a long conflict in which both sides lost many members; despite this, HOB crushed the opposing forces. This is what they were known to do. It’s been said they’re low in numbers, but when it comes to wartime, or "playing ball" as some would describe it, they've always been the strategic type, aiming for reputable members from all sides. Some say the war between Hang Out Boys and 4-Pacc Gangster Crips, an alliance of several neighboring Gangster Crip gangs based in the 40s, was 10-2, with HOB leaving them at a devastating loss.
For context, before the early 2000’s, the 41st Street Gang used to be a clique under Hang Out Boys. Something caused a split and divide within the gang causing 41st Street to break away from Hang Out Boys. Tension rose, and 41st Street made the first move. Jorge Ayala a/k/a Sleepy was a reputable HOB member. Early in the morning on September 10th 2009, Jorge was murdered by a known 41st Street member who went by the name of Lil P Boy. Lil P Boy was sentenced to life in prison in 2012. This was the catalyst to a gang war that has been going on for over ten years now. Since then, Varrio 41st hasn’t let up one bit. Hang Out Boys have been losing quite a few members over the years.
Since the two were so close in proximity to each other in the gritty streets of Hawick, Hang Out Boys were bound to run across members of 55 Bunch along the way; They would soon grow acquainted while fighting the same enemies. It has been stated that they frequently appear in the same location, hanging out with one another and even taking on each other's beef from time to time. Their names started to show up together in hit-ups all throughout West Vinewood. The strengthening alliance between the two was reinforced after older members met to discuss what this meant for the future of Hang Out Boys 13 and 55 Bunch. They discussed similarities between the two, specifically their shared hatred for 41st Street and Playboys 13. Both sides recognized they didn't necessarily need one another but that they'd be powerful together. The new moniker “Varrio Hang Out Boys 55” was then stamped from that day forth.
Present Day, Varrio Hang Out Boys 55 Today, Varrio Hang Out Boys 55 has a formidable presence in the streets of West Vinewood. They've adopted the CK, or Crip Killer mantra because of their continuous conflicts with neighboring Crip gangs, specifically Gangster Crips to this day. Outside of the realm of gang banging, they face an issue that might be bigger than banging itself, gentrification. While Vinewood is known for its bright lights and luxury atmosphere, generations of residents are being displaced, erased, and marginalized to maintain this image.
The increased rent and evictions caused by gentrification destroy the essence of the community, displacing long-time residents and causing a socioeconomic shift. Families who have lived in Vinewood for generations find themselves priced out of their own neighborhoods, forced to relocate to cheaper areas further from their homes. Additionally, as businesses catering to wealthy patrons, they replace local shops and establishments in the process. Neighborhood landmarks, traditions, and histories are often erased or marginalized in favor of this sanitized image designed to appeal to high earners.
This directly affected gangs like the Hang Out Boys who live in an area of Vinewood that's below poverty level. A number of members dealt with the effects of gentrification displacing many of them to areas like East Vinewood or even as far as El Burro and Rancho. A symptom of gentrification is an increase in police presence in said area. Police are often called by local residents who complain about minor issues like noise complaints or loud music. This increase of presence disproportionately affects minorities, specifically black and brown people. So while some people think they're improving a situation they're oftentimes making it much more difficult. On that account, the numbers Varrio Hang Out Boys 55 held previously during their prime from 1986 to 2009 have dwindled over the years. In order to survive financially and support their households, the Hang Outs had no choice but to adapt to their rapidly changing environment. A variety of members have been reported to be responsible for the recent high report of theft and larceny cases against naïve tourists and Los Santos transplants in the star-studded West Vinewood area. Despite going through the trials and tribulations the Hang Out Boys remain resilient and strong through their situation in order to survive.
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This is an awfully hot coffee pot