Clanton 14 Graffiti in Los Angeles, California |
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| Founded | 1921 |
|---|---|
| In | Los Angeles, California |
| Years active | 1921 – present |
| Territory | Mostly in Los Angeles County California, but also in Texas, Florida, New York, Wisconsin, Illinois, Georgia and Mexico. |
| Ethnicity | Hispanic |
| Membership | Unknown |
| Criminal activities | Drug trafficking, assault, robbery, arms trafficking, theft, murder, Rape, fraud |
| Allies | Mexican Mafia, Surenos, Bloods, Crips, Wah Ching |
| Rivals | Mexican Posse, 18th Street, MS-13, The Avenues |
Clanton 14 Street, also known as C14th St, is the oldest Hispanic criminal street gang in Los Angeles, California. Clanton 14 were some of the first supporters and founders of La Eme. Don't let the 14 confuse you, they are Surenos that are fiercely loyal to the Mexican Mafia which is why they are allowed to keep the 14 as their sign. The Clanton 14 does not represent the 14th letter of the alphabet or show allegiance to Nuestra Familia; it represents 14th street (formerly Clanton Street) in los Angeles, California and where they were created.[1][2]
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Clanton 14 was created in 1921 on Clanton Street in Los Angeles, California. During World War II Los Angles renamed Clanton Street to 14th Street,[3] which is why they are called Clanton 14. In 1942, member Frank Torres was shot by a member of the First Street Gang at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum during a city high school track meet. This caused city officials to realize there had been a Pachuco gang problem in the city, whilst the Sleepy Lagoon incident with the 38th Street gang had national news media coverage on the Los Angeles gang problem leading to the 1943 Zoot Suit Riots. Clanton 14's recruiting policy has remained strict over the decades. Generally, they only allow people of Hispanic decent to join their ranks. Refusal to allow some to join lead to the creation of the infamous 18th Street gang. It was around 1964-65 the 18th Street gang was formed by an American Samoan who grew up in the Pico Union area of Los Angeles named Rocky Glover who was known for actively recruiting children, foreigners and others not allowed in Clanton 14.[4] The 18th Street gang was the first Hispanic gang to recruit African-Americans as well. Today Clanton 14 and 18th Street are bitter rivals that has left a trail of bloodshed over the decades.[5] The Los Angeles Police Department used to nickname the 18th Street gang Clanton Throw-aways.
Clanton 14 has emerged in various places throughout the United States. Los Angeles has four Clanton 14 hoods.[6] The first and the second in Los Angeles, the third and fourth in Hollywood. There is also the original Clanton 14 on the East Side of downtown Los Angeles. Madison, Wisconsin has a West Side and a South Side. There is Clanton 59th Street in Chihuahua, Mexico and various other clicks in Newyork, Florida, Texas, Georgia and Illinois. Clanton 14 was the first gang to create a significant presence on the Internet, with a professional quality website featuring photos, a detailed history, and message boards on which older and younger members keep in contact. This new aspect to criminal street gangs has changed how law enforcement deals with gangs. Today instead of devoting patrol cars, an officer can monitor the gang behind a desk.
Clanton in Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Waukegan, Chicago and Atlanta have always had high standards in regards to membership into its family. In fact these high standards are what led to the formation of the immigrant 18th Street gang. Clanton gang members are self called "Clantoneros" and in Milwaukee are required to be branded but only after they have proven themselves and earned the brand. The brand in the Midwest changes to avoid incrimination by law enforcement, yet it serves as a graduation record for its members. During the 1960s, Clanton 14 was made up of mostly Mexican-American members, but there were many members from other ethnic groups as Caucasians, Japanese & Korean-Americans, etc. "Huero" and "Jett" were both Caucsian, "Buddha" and "Johnny" were Asian-Americans. What few know, was that many members of C-14, were active participants in Robert F. Kenndy's 1968 Presidential campaign and John Tunney's 1970 Senatorial campaign, and many worked with Cesar Chavez & Joe Cerda rearding the Grape Boycott. Others participated in the 1968 "High School Blowouts" were Students walked out of class due to poor education teaching. Clanton 14 is one of the only Sureno gangs that do not use the 13 in their graffiti and tattoos. They are also the only Sureno gang that uses the number 14.
Clanton 14 has a long history of violence especially with the conflict between themselves and 18th Street. They will murder anyone in their disputes whether the person is a male or female has no bearing.[7] They indiscriminately rape women, do drive-by shootings and participate in extensive narcotics trafficking.[8] They have recently started to get involved in Identity crimes and copyright violations. Drug sales are still the primary income of gang members.