Oaks. Posted July 30, 2020 Author Share Posted July 30, 2020 (edited) Updated Main Thread to detail the BSLS transition into a Mara Salvatrucha Clique. Any criticism as always is welcome, we aim to reflect the best possible adaptation of an MS13 clique possible. Quote Mara Por Vida _________________________________________________________________________________________________ “The greatest tragedy in these cases is that these young victims likely left their homelands hopeful that in the United States they would find safety and prosperity,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey said. “Instead, these victims had the misfortune of crossing paths with violent gang members who preyed on the vulnerabilities of their immigrant experience. BSLS13 originated on the Bridge Street district in Eastern Vinewood. They were originally a small group of Hispanics looking to make a quick score, tensions in the area and constant lack of resources drove the young teens to form into the group known as "La Familia". The Familia opted to sell drugs, break into vehicles and other sources of income to be able to turn their lives from poverty stricken into something more. La Familia primarily consisted of 4-6 members initially but sources are scarce and vary given the Familias code of secrecy, some opting for life in Prison rather than talking. La Familia were one of the original multiracial, multi-ethnic gangs in the Los Santos area, composing of young Hispanic & Black teens. As the group grew, more and more violence was introduced in the Bridge Street area, garnering the attention of Local Police and Media alike. Slayings within the local park became common, with parents opting to take their children to Mirror Park to avoid the horrors that may await them come early mornings. As time went on, two figure heads grew from La Familia adopting several practices that were seen in other gangs elsewhere. 13, X3 and various other graffiti tying the area to the Mexican Mafia began to arise blasted across the walls, park benches and anything else that could be visible for the neighbourhood to see, it was official there was a new gang in the Bridge Street area and they were stating their claim. Following along from the X3 claim, more and more graffiti turned from the back street wash that was typically seen, to "Mara Salvatrucha Controla & Bridge Street Salvatruchos", it became evident the group had adopted a more sinister name, dubbing the area "5 Minute City", a homage to the life-span of anyone who would cross the gang. The letters set the gang apart from other gangs and criminal organizations. The letters are theirs and theirs alone. Building this loyalty is not easy and relies largely on creation of an enemy, a life-long foe around which the gang can coalesce. That foe is the Barrio 18 gang. The vilification of the Barrio 18 is now integrated into the recruiting and training of MS13 members. To enter the gang, many recruits are ordered to kill a “chavala,” roughly translated as “punk,” the MS13’s word for a rival gang member. It is also part of the indoctrination, mixed into the everyday language of its members, and at the top of its rulebook. MS13 members, for example, are not allowed to speak or write the word “eighteen.” The gang has used it to build its brand across two continents, and it may help us understand the durability of these two gangs more than any other single factor. But the obsession with the other gang has also pulled the MS13 to other end of the pendulum of criminal organizations: While some criminal groups focus on obtaining and developing reliable revenue streams, the MS13 is focused on developing new ways to undermine and destroy any other gang. Any action, discussion or reconciliation is suspicious, even traitorous, and will cause internal rifts. Notably, there is little mention of financial reward in the tasks and missions given to Bridge Street Affiliates, although it is clearly a factor and is difficult to separate from other motives – with money, for example, comes status and power – it does not appear to be the driving force. Being in a gang is not a job, nor do most members see it as such. As noted, members do not join because of the money. Although money can be a motivation, they understand that they are not entering a stable career path. Being in a gang is sometimes at the center of their lives, but sometimes it fades. Some are “calmados,” or semi-retired, and have at least one parallel social circle, such as an evangelical church, that demands at least as much if not more attention. Edited July 30, 2020 by Oaks. 2 Link to comment
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