Prospective Book

John Lee Brook is considering a book about the Bloods.  Preliminary research -- to ascertain the viability of such a project -- will begin shortly.

West Coast Bloods: The Bloods gang was formed during the 1970s in the Compton area of California. According to NDIC reporting, Silver Scott is credited with forming the Piru Street gang and Benson Owens established the Westide Pirus. Both groups aligned with several neighborhood gangs in an attempt to unite against the Crips. The group subsequently became known as the West Coast Bloods.


East Coast Bloods: The United Blood Nation (UBN) gang was founded by two African-American males (Omar Portee and Leonard Mackenzie) while inmates at Rikers Island Prison, New York in 1993. The gang was initially formed to protect African-American inmates from the threat posed by Netas and Latin Kings gangs who dominated the prison.

Membership: According to a 2004 NDIC report, Bloods membership was estimated between 15,000 and 20,000. According to NAGIA’s 2005 National Gang Threat Assessment, UBN membership is estimated at 5,000 in New York City and 7,000 nationwide.

Location: Bloods gangs are located in the Southwest (Los Angeles, in particular), West Central, Pacific and, to a lesser extent, the Great Lakes and Southeast regions. The United Blood Nation is heavily concentrated throughout New York City and their presence has expanded to other locations along the East Coast, Mid Atlantic, and Southeast regions.