“Crips” is a street gang originating in Los Angeles that is known for its rivalry with the Bloods. The name “Crips” has a debated origin; one account suggests it evolved from “cripples” who carried “pimp canes,” while another claims it came from a member’s nickname “Crip”. Regardless of its exact origin, the word “Crips” is not an acronym and the gang is identifiable by its members wearing the color blue. 

Origins of the Crips 

• Neighborhood protection: The gang was originally formed in Los Angeles in 1969 by Raymond Washington and Stanley “Tookie” Williams to act as a protection group against rival gangs, as reported by Wikipedia and Space Needle. 
• Name evolution:
  • One theory is that the name evolved from “cripples” who carried “pimp canes” as a status symbol and a weapon, according to this Taylor & Francis Online article and Wikipedia. 
  • Another explanation, supported by a former gang member, is that the name came directly from the nickname “Crip” of one of the founder’s brothers. 
• Acronym vs. acronym: The name is not an acronym, though some have proposed backronyms such as “Community Revolution In Progress” or “Community Resources for Independent People,” according to Wikipedia and Wikipedia. 

Gang characteristics 

• Color: The Crips are famously associated with the color blue, while their rivals, the Bloods, wear red. 
• Criminal activity: Over time, the Crips have been involved in criminal activities, including murders, robberies, and drug dealing, as noted by Quincy, WA and the Office of Justice Programs. 
• Rivalry: They have a long-standing and violent rivalry with the Bloods. 
• Slang: Members often refer to each other as “cousins”.