[Cindy]

I have a lot of empathy with your statement.

Old Times:
My area was surenos vs nortenos depending what side of town you were on. Once in awhile a crip or two would head drive by. Bikers and dopers and...

New Times:
None of that nonsense. In the year 2000 we packed up and left.

[Myrddin]

I mistakenly believed I left all that behind in San Diego. It is much worse in Mira Mesa today than when I ditched the place in 2000. Pocatello and Chubbuck were graffiti free when I move here. No more. The California gang bangers are leaving California. Especially the older members who aren't up to the daily "rough stuff" on the streets of Los Angeles. They are setting up shop in rural areas where our "mush for brains children" revere a "real" gang member. The "wannabe" gangbangers are getting a first hand indoctrination.

The "badge of honor" for local bangers is cigarette burns formed in triples on the web of the thumb and index finger. Each burn represents a criminal act. After three on each hand, they work up the arms. The "pinnacle" of perfection is 23 burns. The biggest fish located locally has 18 burns to date.

[Cindy]

I should clarify there weren't a LOT of gang banger back home like in LA, just enough of them to get noticed.