Gangland

18th St. Gang

The 18th Street Gang, named for a street in the Rampart section of east Los Angeles, formed in the late 1960s. It was also known as the "Children's Army" because of their recruitment of elementary and middle school kids.

Their tactics include threatening harm to member's families when they try to leave. Failure to show proper respect of a gang leader or fellow member may result in an 18-second beating, or even execution for more serious offenses.

The gang's criminal activities include auto theft, carjacking, drive-by shootings, drug sales, arms trafficking, extortion, rape and murder for hire.

18th Street has been linked to Mexican and Columbian drug cartels and the Mexican Mafia. They're also believed to work in co-operation with rival black street gangs.

The reach of the 18th Street Gang extends across North America with a membership tally of more than 30,000. It was the first Hispanic gang to cross racial barriers after a heavy recruitment effort in the early 1990s. What began as a Hispanic gang now has members that include African Americans, Asians, Caucasians, and Native Americans.

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