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

Overview:

Detroit’s tagging culture expanded significantly in the years following the city’s 2013 municipal bankruptcy. The surge in vacant and abandoned structures attracted both local and out-of-state graffiti writers, contributing to rapid growth in tagging activity, territorial disputes among crews, and a series of citywide enforcement efforts. In response, Detroit adopted a more stringent approach, including the creation of a dedicated graffiti task force aimed at reducing blight and documenting prolific tagging groups.

Under current city ordinances, property owners may face fines when unauthorized graffiti is not removed, with penalties beginning around $130 for a first citation, alongside additional removal-related costs that vary based on the size, location, and nature of the markings. The city also acknowledges that many property owners commission murals or stylistic artwork—some of which incorporate elements associated with graffiti culture—but requires formal authorization for such pieces to avoid penalties.

Tagger crews in Detroit are generally defined by their shared street identity and artistic output. While some members of these groups may occasionally be associated with criminal activity, tagging crews are primarily oriented around graffiti and related subcultural practices rather than the structured operations of traditional gangs. Established street organizations in Detroit—such as Blood-, Crip-, Gangster Disciple-, or Vice Lord–identified groups—may use graffiti for territorial marking, but they do not function as tagging crews. This distinction is central to the purpose of this page, which focuses specifically on the city’s graffiti-oriented groups and contributors.

Notable Crews

*In No Particular Order*

TCK Crew

• Historically identified by Detroit Police for widespread tagging across commercial and public structures.

• Multiple members were arrested in 2014 during coordinated anti-graffiti enforcement.

• Known for consistent presence on high-visibility corridors.

907 Crew

• Recognized for large-scale graffiti pieces and prominent placements.

• Often mentioned within Detroit’s larger graffiti movement after bankruptcy, with notable visibility along rail corridors and industrial zones.

NSF Crew

• Recognized for large block/bubble letter tags.

• Often mentioned within Detroit’s graffiti scence on social media

NFC Crew

• Recognized for tags city-wide.

• Known for consistent presence on the west side of Detroit.

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

Documented individual writers with recognizable presence across Detroit include:

*In No Particular Order*

PORAB, TURDL, ELMER, DONT, GASM, and PEAR.

Each tagger is noted for high-frequency marking, recurring styles, or widespread presence across multiple neighborhoods.

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’s street groups vary widely: some are long-standing neighborhood cliques, some overlap with national affiliations, and others operate independently despite individual members claiming separate identities. Many of these groups are locally rooted and historically referenced through media, indictments, court records, or community accounts.

*In No Particular Order*