Vice Lords
The Vice Lords are the oldest and second largest black street gang in the Chicago area. It was originally formed in the late 1950s as a club in the Illinois State Training School for Boys in St. Charles.1
Dawley has added several new chapters in this edition following up on the last 20 years of the gang’s activities. Unfortunately, he fails to substantially document the fall of the Vice Lords from their more prosperous days.2
The Cane represents the strength of the Vice Lord Nation. You will often see the cane going through a Top Hat, which means that Vice Lords control the area.3
The street gang known as the Vice Lords, begun in the late 1950?s, is the focus of this analysis. Focusing on the gang?s history and relevance for criminal justice policy and social science theory, this profile extends and updates previous studies of the Vice Lords.4
The word “Lords,” short for “Vice Lords,” as well as the initials “VL,” a PENTAGRAM, or an outline of a hand with the thumb, index finger, and middle finger extended are all used as tattoo symbols for the Vice Lords. Arguably the oldest and largest street gang in Chicago, they are predominantly African American with strong Nation of Islam beliefs.5
Officials alleged a photo found in an officer’s locker at the 15th District stationhouse showed him socializing with Conservative Vice Lords. The lawyer of the 26-year-old officer denies that allegation and scoffed at the notion that he is a member of the Conservative Vice Lords, a faction of the larger gang.6