gangleaders
Those commanding criminals
Gang leaders are the heads or bosses of gangs—organized groups involved in crime, violence, or territorial control.
The term typically refers to street gangs rather than organized crime families: Police arrested three suspected gang leaders in connection with the shootings.
Gang leader is more common as two words.
Managers or raised studs
- mobstersOrganized crime members
- kingpinsDominant figures in organizations
- ringleadersChief organizers of wrongdoing
- crime lordsLeaders of organized illegality
capos · dons · drug lords · masterminds · lieutenants · enforcers · henchmen · territories
Vital fluids or relatives
- MS-13Transnational criminal organization
- triadsGroups of three
- yakuzaJapanese criminal organization
- crewsWorking groups aboard
sets · cliques · hood · barrio · favela · township · colors · bandanas
Those with final authority
- convictsImprisoned felons
- inmatesIncarcerated individuals
- cell blocksPrison housing divisions
- yardsOutdoor home spaces
contraband · shanks · protection · gangs · corrections · wardens · guards · solitary
Young criminals or troublemakers
- troublemakersThose causing problems deliberately
- bulliesThose who intimidate others
- ringleadersChief organizers of wrongdoing
- instigatorsThose who initiate trouble
cliques · peer pressure · rebellion · juveniles · mischief · vandalism · truancy · detention
bosses
Managers or raised studs
- mobstersOrganized crime members
- kingpinsDominant figures in organizations
- ringleadersChief organizers of wrongdoing
crime lords · capos · dons · drug lords · masterminds · lieutenants · enforcers · henchmen · territories · turf
bloods
Vital fluids or relatives
crews · sets · cliques · hood · barrio · favela · township · colors · bandanas · tattoos
shot-callers
Those with final authority
- convictsImprisoned felons
- inmatesIncarcerated individuals
- cell blocksPrison housing divisions
yards · contraband · shanks · protection · gangs · corrections · wardens · guards · solitary · lockdown
delinquents
Young criminals or troublemakers
- troublemakersThose causing problems deliberately
- bulliesThose who intimidate others
- ringleadersChief organizers of wrongdoing
instigators · cliques · peer pressure · rebellion · juveniles · mischief · vandalism · truancy · detention · reform
gangleadersfoot soldiers
Ground-based military fighters
underlings · rank and file · followers · henchmen · subordinates
gangleaderspolice chiefs
Law enforcement department heads
prosecutors · community leaders · sheriffs · district attorneys · police commissioners
gangleadersvictims
Those who suffer harm
targets · prey · witnesses · informants · bystanders