Those three words mean nothing to most people, but they are the highest form of disrespect to rival gangsters. In a one-year period beginning in November 1994, Lincoln police took 170 reports that involved actual or potential gang activity. The youngest known Lincoln gangster is 9, Nelson said, and the oldest is 30. The colors and names vary. Some sets are affiliated with national gangs, but most are locally named neighborhood groups.
Gang members identify with colors, jargon and hand signs.
When the red from a Blood gang member crosses with the blue of a Crip set, fireworks begin. It admits that gang incidents are on the rise in Lincoln and sketches out a community prevention plan. In many cases, these problems exploded during a very short time period. The early signs of gang activity in Lincoln may be a harbinger of rapid increases in gang-related crime in the future, or they may be an early warning alarm which mobilizes a community to action. However, police department officials decline to discuss Lincoln's gang problem on the record with as much candidness.