watsonville sureño tattoos - Basta

WATSONVILLE
SUREÑO TATTOOS
The following local photographs represent
Sureño criminal street gangs in
Watsonville:
• Poor Side Watsonville (PSW, PSL)
• Mexican Side Locos (MSL, MSW)
GANG-RELATED TATTOOS
It should be noted that any and all gang related
tattoos must be earned prior to and authorized
by the respective gang.
One can earn a tattoo by a variety of ways that
include but are not limited to “putting in work”
or committing a violent act against another
person especially
a rival gang member or associate.
WATSONVILLE SUREÑO TATTOOS
Depicted in the photograph above are the
letters “PSW” for Poor Side Watsonville.
WATSONVILLE SUREÑO TATTOOS
Depicted in the photograph above are the letters “WVP”
for Watsonville/Watson Varrio Poor Side
WATSONVILLE SUREÑO TATTOOS
Sureños identify with the number 13 which represents the
thirteenth letter of the alphabet “M” and the Mexican Mafia –
the prison gang that controls the Sureños.
WATSONVILLE SUREÑO TATTOOS
This young man is from the Sureño gang
“Poor Side Watsonville.”
“Mi Vida Loca is tattooed on his chest which translates to
“My Crazy Life” and is common gang lingo.
WATSONVILLE SUREÑO TATTOOS
Depicted in the photograph above is what is known as a chest piece.
The individual is proclaiming his street -“Second.” You also see the
number 13 and the dollars sign. Gangs engage in illegal activities in
order to generate money for the gang.
WATSONVILLE SUREÑO TATTOOS
Depicted in the photograph above are the words
“Poor Side” –
a Sureño gang in Watsonville.
WATSONVILLE SUREÑO TATTOOS
The letters “P” and “S” on this mans arms stand for
“Poor Side.” Also notice the word “Sur” which is
short for Sureño and means South in Spanish. The
number 13 is also tattooed on his chest.
WATSONVILLE SUREÑO TATTOOS
Depicted in the photograph
above are the letters “MSL” for
“Mexican Side Locos” - a
Sureno gang in Watsonville.
Depicted in the photograph
above is a Sureño gang
member with the letters
“NK” tattooed on his head
which stands for
“Norteño Killer.”
TATTOO REMOVAL
Catholic Charities Tattoo Removal Program
(formerly Dominican Hospital Tattoo Removal Program)
831-316-9121
610 Frederick Street, Santa Cruz
Required: 20 hours of community service, must complete an
interview
Minimum $20/session or sliding scale
Since October 1997, thousands of treatments have been given by the
Tattoo Removal Program. The majority of clients are between 14 and 50 years
old. More than 75% of those in the program had been tattooed for gang
identification--and wanted out.
For more information:
www.basta.santacruz.k12.ca.us
Email: basta@santacruz.k12.ca.us