Gangland, is it accurate?

[JJRC]

Sorry if this is the wrong place to post this.
I was just watching the Gangland episode on Crips and it mentioned they have a term "peeling his wig" for taking somebody's head off. I'm just a high school student but I spent the last trimester doing an independent project on gangs, which included reading some books by former gang members including Crips. I'd never heard of that before. I know that gangs have no problem with violence to each other but I was wondering if anybody here had heard of someone being decapitated? Also how accurate is Gangland?

[cntryboy0531]

I thought Gangland was pretty accurate. Now, with that said, I do not work in localities where they have done shows at, but some of the gangs I have had experience with and they seem pretty accurate.

Decapitations are rare around here, but happen. The mexican drug running gangs from Mexico apparently decapitate people like it's a sport...

[JJRC]

Thanks, I knew the Mexicans cut heads off, but I didnt realize it ever happened in the states.

[Kimble]

I was just watching the Gangland episode on Crips and it mentioned they have a term "peeling his wig" for taking somebody's head off. I'm just a high school student but I spent the last trimester doing an independent project on gangs, which included reading some books by former gang members including Crips. I'd never heard of that before.

You have to remember that gangs like the Crips aren't one, single international gang. Unlike outlaw motorcycle gangs (which have chapters across the US and overseas that report to a gang HQ) street gangs are separate gangs in different geographical areas. The Los Angeles Crips are not the same gang as the New York City Crips. They have the same name, traditions/symbols, etc, but there's no "Crip HQ" that controls or calls all the shots for Crips across the US. If one particular gang of Crips in Sometown, USA uses the term "peeling his wig" that doesn't necessarily mean that all Crips use that term (or any other crips outside of that geographical gang, for that matter).

Also how accurate is Gangland?

I'm assuming you've watched some of the show(s) and are familiar with the series. Consider that they don't just interview cops/investigators, they also often interview former and current gang members for the gang they are featuring in a given episode, so often times you're getting the info straight from the source (i.e. an actual gang member of the gang in that episode).

[MikeG]

Thanks, I knew the Mexicans cut heads off, but I didnt realize it ever happened in the states.

Here's one in AZ

Chandler beheading tied to Mexican drug cartel

[MountainMan]

Its hit and miss. Some of the info is decent some of it is plain crap and bravado spewed by some of the members to look good. Keep in mind its entertainment thats somewhat educational..

[Norm357]

I peeled a dudes wig last week. ***** owed me money.

[JJRC]

Thanks Mike G
I guess he can only come back from the dead 5 times before hes done!
To Kimble This was the first time I'd watched the show since Ive become interested in working for law enforcement, so I wanted more education than entertainment. I'm more of a book guy, If any of you can recomend some good books on the subject I'd appreciate it.

[Norm357]

Thanks Mike G
I guess he can only come back from the dead 5 times before hes done!
To Kimble This was the first time I'd watched the show since Ive become interested in working for law enforcement, so I wanted more education than entertainment. I'm more of a book guy, If any of you can recomend some good books on the subject I'd appreciate it.

Start here...
Handguns - Jim Cirillo's Tales of the Stakeout Squad

Greatest gunfighter ever. Great cop too.

[JJRC]

Thanks Norm, this book looks really good, I'll look around for it. The best crime book I've read so far was No Boundaries about MS-13, has anybody here read that?