Latin Counts

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The Latin Counts originated in the Pilsen neighborhood in the early 1960's, some contest that the gang actually originated in the Back of the Yards neighborhood as a Polish gang, maybe as early as the 1940's.

In any event, the gang has occupied the streets of Pilsen for around five decades and has a well known reputation in South Chicago and many Chicagoland suburbs as well. In Pilsen, the Counts were founded by a group of individuals who aligned to protect themselves against the neighborhood clubs already in existence. Currently, in the crowded gang landscape of Pilsen, the Counts are surrounded by many gangs, including the Satan Disciples, La Raza, Party People, Ambrose, and Bishops. The gang has experienced several changes of leadership over the years, but have continued to grow. The LC's have quite a strong presence in the South Chicago and Southwest Detroit community, as well as numerous Chicagoland suburbs including Cicero, Addison, West Chicago, and Chicago Heights. In South Chicago, the gang has had an ongoing feud with the Latin Kings, Spanish Gangster Disciples, Ambrose, and Latin Dragons. In the early 1990's the Counts encountered fellow "People" allied gangs, such as the Bishops and Latin Kings. In addition, they've battled with long time Pilsen rival gangs, the La Raza, Ambrose and Satan Disciples. They've recently formed a relationship with the Vice Lords in the prison systems, due to a dispute with the Kings on the streets. The Latin Counts are known to have a strong influence in Detroit, Michigan where they have several area's of operations. The Counts primary criminal involvement has consisted of graffiti, drug trafficking, assault, arson, armed robbery, kidnapping, shootings, and murder.