Is an angry clown tattooed on the neck a gang symbol? What about tattooed tears at eyes?
– Annette Dorman, Wendell Annette, the tattoos described may or may not be gang related. Law enforcement officers encounter a multitude of people throughout their career many of whom have unique ways of expressing their individuality. In determining whether or not a tattoo may be gang related, we look for other indications of gang involvement, such as a person’s manner of dress, the color of his or her clothing, other observed tattoos, what drew our attention to the individual, associates of the individual and the use of gang signs or terminology. Usually, we just start by asking a person what a particular tattoo symbolizes and its meaning. More often than not, gang members are eager to discuss their tattoos with us. The angry clown tattoo you are referring to is often accompanied by another happy clown tattoo in gang culture, and together they are commonly referred to as “laugh now, cry later.” Such clown tattoos are commonly displayed by a particular gang, while the tear drop tattoo
