For definitions of gang-related terms, identifiers, and classifications used on this page, refer to the site glossary.

Crip—affiliated gang members are commonly associated with the color blue, which may appear in clothing or accessories such as bandanas, shoelaces, belts, hats, sweatshirts, or other apparel. Bandanas are often worn on the left side to indicate Crip affiliation, though this practice can vary by location and set.

When clothing alone does not clearly communicate affiliation, hand signs may be used. One of the most common is the “C” hand sign, typically made with either the left or right hand and derived from adapted sign language used within Crip culture.

Within conversation, Crip—affiliated gang members and their associates are documented as referring to one another with terms such as “Cuzz” or “Cuh.” References characterized as anti-Blood language—defined as expressions directed against the “Bloods”, a nationally recognized rival street-gang network—may also appear, including abbreviations such as “B/K” (“Blood Killer”). Affiliates frequently adopt clothing or symbols associated with their specific set; for example, certain Detroit-based Crip groups, including the Shotgun Crips, have been associated in reporting with the use of Green Bay Packers apparel.

Tattoos are another frequent identifier and often reference a specific set or clique. For example, “R60 NHC” is a known Crip-related tattoo observed in Detroit. Written language may also reflect affiliation: Crip—affiliated gang members and their associates are known to replace the letters “CK” with “CC” in certain words, resulting in spellings such as “bacc” instead of “back” or “sicc” instead of “sick.” This linguistic pattern may appear in graffiti, written communication, or online posts.

In Detroit, Crip—affiliated street gangs tend to be highly localized and decentralized, rather than operating as a single unified organization with citywide control. Graffiti is commonly used to mark territory, communicate presence, or insult rival groups. Tags such as “B/K” or “SLOB KILLA” have been used to disparage Blood-affiliated gangs.

Crip—affiliated street gangs are often identified by the criminal activity attributed to them. In Detroit, many Crip—affiliated street gang “sets” have historically been associated with the illicit drug trade, which has contributed to conflicts over territory among rival factions and offshoots. Criminal activity varies by set and location but generally occurs within areas the gang claims as its own.

For definitions of terminology related to activity, conduct, demographics, gang-related terms, identifiers, and classifications used on this page, refer to the site glossary.

Crip—affiliated sets are active across multiple Detroit neighborhoods, including:
• Northwest Detroit: Rollin 20s, Rollin 40s, Rollin 60s, Rollin 100s, Playboy Gangster Crips, 5Point Nation Crips (5PN), and other Crip—aligned street gangs
• Eastside Detroit: 4 Gang, East Warren Crips, Playboy Gangster Crips, Rollin 60s, ShotGun Crips

Territorial activity is documented through law enforcement reports, public records, graffiti, and community accounts.

For definitions of terminology related to activity, conduct, demographics, gang-related terms, identifiers, and classifications used on this page, refer to the site glossary.

Alliances:

Detroit Crip—affiliated sets occasionally form short-term coalitions, but alliances are fluid and hyperlocal. Gangster Crips (3X/Movin Gang), Rollin Crips (2X), Rollin Neighborhood Crips (2X/Rollin), and Hoover Gangster Crips (52HGC) all maintain a presence in metro Detroit. These cards do not operate like their out-of-state counterparts; Detroit’s gang structure is neighborhood-first, not citywide or nationally standardized.

Rivals:

In Detroit, most Crip—identified sets historically maintain adversarial relationships with several Blood-affiliated groups. Longstanding conflicts have been documented between Crip sets and organizations such as the Black P. Stones, Bounty Hunter Bloods, the 55 Seven Mile Bloods/RedZone Bloods, as well as various Vice Lord factions. Crip-on-Crip rivalries are also common, reflecting the city’s fragmented, block-based gang landscape in which neighborhood boundaries often outweigh broader national affiliations.

Available law-enforcement data and community-level reporting suggest that Crip—affiliated street gangs constitute a significant portion of Detroit’s traditional gang landscape, though precise membership estimates vary across sources. Additional rivalries have been recorded involving Piru-affiliated street gangs and a range of independent neighborhood-based street gangs.

For definitions of terminology related to activity, conduct, demographics, gang-related terms, identifiers, and classifications used on this page, refer to the site glossary.

Detroit Crip—affiliated sets are frequently referenced in the city’s underground rap scene. Local rappers affiliated with these groups often use coded language, neighborhood references, and graffiti imagery to reflect their connections. These cultural outputs are part of Detroit’s broader urban expression and have influenced local music, art, and identity.