Gang structure
There are different roles and levels of authority within gangs.
These roles include:
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Teenies – generally those under the age of 10 – below the age of criminal responsibility – who are used to carry drugs and weapons, or move parcels between older members
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Runners, Shotters – generally aged between 12 and 15-ish, those who move drugs between older members, sell drugs in the streets, arrange street deals, stay in 'trap' houses where drugs are sold or made
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Youngers – generally aged under 18, they have some level of authority over teenies and shotters, are street dealers of class A or B drugs, can set up trap houses, recruit teenies, runners and shotters, report directly to elders
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Links, Baby Mama, Bae, Wifey – girls used by members as girlfriends, used for sex, exploited, they will carry or hide weapons, drugs and money for members of any age
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Elders – generally aged over 18, they are in charge of running street operations and trap houses, deal in larger amounts of class A and B drugs, facilitate purchase of firearms and other weapons, have authority over street dealers and youngers, respected
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Faces, Olders – those at the top or higher end of the chain, limited contact with street level operations, not often seen or known by street level members
Street names
Street names are generally used and often, other members will not know each other's real names. This creates a reputation – a 'rep' – as names can be chosen because they represent a threat or talent, but they are also used so gang members can't be identified.