The Grape Street Watts Crips (GSWC) stand as a significant and entrenched African-American street gang, primarily operating out of the Jordan Downs Housing Projects. This territory is situated on the East Side of Watts, a historically significant district within South Los Angeles, California. Their domain within Jordan Downs stretches from Grape Street to 97th Street, nestled between Alameda Street and 103rd Street, marking a substantial footprint in this community.
The gang is readily identifiable by the color purple, which members prominently display to signify their affiliation with Grape Street. Within the GSWC, several cliques or subgroups operate, adding to the gang’s complex structure. These include names like Baby Locs, 103rd Street, Dust Town, and Bandera Blocc 97, amongst others, indicating a layered organization across different areas and possibly age groups.
In terms of size and influence within Watts, the Grape Street Crips are recognized as the second largest gang. They follow the Bounty Hunter Bloods, who are based in the Nickerson Gardens Housing Projects. Another notable gang in the area is the PJ Watts Crips, located in the Imperial Courts housing projects, further illustrating the intricate gang landscape of Watts.
Origins in Watts Varrio Grape
The roots of the Grape Street Watts Crips can be traced back to the Watts Varrio Grape (WVG). This earlier gang was initially a mixed Hispanic and African-American group. However, during the 1970s, a shift occurred. The Latino members increasingly aligned themselves with the Mexican Mafia and the “Sereno” brand, a move that led to a name change. They became known as South Side Varrio Grape, adopting the number 13 (South Side Watts Varrio Grape 13) to signify their connection to the Mexican Mafia (the number 13 representing the letter “M”).
This evolution resulted in the Black members of Watts Varrio Grape forming their own distinct entity. They established the Watts Baby Loc/Grape Street Crips, claiming the Jordan Downs Housing Projects as their central base of operations. Despite this separation and the formation of two distinct gangs, a unique aspect of their history is the enduring family-like alliance that has persisted between the Grape Street Crips and South Side Varrio Grape 13 across generations. While operating independently, they maintain close ties and share common adversaries, notably the East Coast Crips and the Florencia 13 gang.
Size, Rivalries, and the Watts Truce
The Grape Street Crips are considered the largest Crip gang operating within Watts, boasting an estimated membership of over 2,000 active individuals. Their most intense and historically significant rivalry is with the Bounty Hunter Bloods. This conflict is often described as the bloodiest and most protracted gang feud in Watts.
Despite this deep-seated rivalry, the Grape Street Crips, along with the Bounty Hunter Bloods and the PJ Watts Crips, were participants in the 1992 Watts Truce. This truce represented a significant, albeit temporary, effort to reduce gang violence in the area following the widespread Los Angeles riots of 1992.
Grape Street Crips in Popular Culture
The Grape Street Crips, and gang culture in Watts more broadly, have been the subject of various documentaries and media portrayals. They have been featured in hard-hitting documentaries such as Crips and Bloods: Made in America and Dead Homies, providing insights into the realities of gang life. Additionally, they have been explored in television series like Gangland on the History Channel. The specific rivalry between the Grape Street Crips and the East Coast Crips was also highlighted in National Geographic specials focusing on gang wars in Los Angeles, bringing their story to a wider audience.
The Jordan Downs Housing Projects, the heart of Grape Street territory, has also served as a location for cultural productions. Rapper Spider Loc, himself connected to the gang subculture, filmed parts of his music video “Blutiful World” within the Jordan Downs projects. Furthermore, the influential motion picture Menace II Society, known for its realistic depiction of life in the projects, also utilized Jordan Downs as a filming location, further cementing the area’s association with gang narratives in popular culture.
Gang Affiliations: Allies and Rivals
The gang dynamics of Watts are complex, with shifting alliances and deep-seated rivalries. The Grape Street Crips are generally in opposition to Bloods gangs and other Crip sets within Watts.
However, they do maintain alliances with specific gangs. Key allies include:
- South Side Watts Varrio Grape: Reflecting their shared origin and enduring connection.
- Grape Street Crips (New Jersey): Indicating potential connections beyond Los Angeles.
- Eight Tray Gangster Crips
- Rollin 30’s Harlem Crips
- All sets of Compton Crips (CC Riders)
Their list of rivals is extensive and includes:
- PJ Watts Crips: Despite geographic proximity, they are rivals.
- Hacienda Village Bloods
- Circle City Piru
- Ten Line Gangster Crips
- East Coast Crips: A particularly significant and long-standing rivalry.
- Fudge Town Mafia Crips
- 99 Watts Mafia Crips
- Rollin 60s Neighborhood Crips
- Florencia 13: Representing a rival Hispanic gang.
This network of alliances and rivalries underscores the intricate and often volatile nature of gang life in Watts, where historical conflicts and territorial disputes shape the landscape of street gang activity.
