WATSONVILLE SUREÑO TATTOOS The following local photographs represent Sureño criminal street gangs in Watsonville: • Poor Side Watsonville (PSW, PSL) • Mexican Side Locos (MSL, MSW) GANG-RELATED TATTOOS It should be noted that any and all gang related tattoos must be earned prior to and authorized by the respective gang. One can earn a tattoo by a variety of ways that include but are not limited to “putting in work” or committing a violent act against another person especially a rival gang member or associate. WATSONVILLE SUREÑO TATTOOS Depicted in the photograph above are the letters “PSW” for Poor Side Watsonville. WATSONVILLE SUREÑO TATTOOS Depicted in the photograph above are the letters “WVP” for Watsonville/Watson Varrio Poor Side WATSONVILLE SUREÑO TATTOOS Sureños identify with the number 13 which represents the thirteenth letter of the alphabet “M” and the Mexican Mafia – the prison gang that controls the Sureños. WATSONVILLE SUREÑO TATTOOS This young man is from the Sureño gang “Poor Side Watsonville.” “Mi Vida Loca is tattooed on his chest which translates to “My Crazy Life” and is common gang lingo. WATSONVILLE SUREÑO TATTOOS Depicted in the photograph above is what is known as a chest piece. The individual is proclaiming his street -“Second.” You also see the number 13 and the dollars sign. Gangs engage in illegal activities in order to generate money for the gang. WATSONVILLE SUREÑO TATTOOS Depicted in the photograph above are the words “Poor Side” – a Sureño gang in Watsonville. WATSONVILLE SUREÑO TATTOOS The letters “P” and “S” on this mans arms stand for “Poor Side.” Also notice the word “Sur” which is short for Sureño and means South in Spanish. The number 13 is also tattooed on his chest. WATSONVILLE SUREÑO TATTOOS Depicted in the photograph above are the letters “MSL” for “Mexican Side Locos” - a Sureno gang in Watsonville. Depicted in the photograph above is a Sureño gang member with the letters “NK” tattooed on his head which stands for “Norteño Killer.” TATTOO REMOVAL Catholic Charities Tattoo Removal Program (formerly Dominican Hospital Tattoo Removal Program) 831-316-9121 610 Frederick Street, Santa Cruz Required: 20 hours of community service, must complete an interview Minimum $20/session or sliding scale Since October 1997, thousands of treatments have been given by the Tattoo Removal Program. The majority of clients are between 14 and 50 years old. More than 75% of those in the program had been tattooed for gang identification--and wanted out. For more information: www.basta.santacruz.k12.ca.us Email: basta@santacruz.k12.ca.us