Baltimore riots: Bloods and Crips deny uniting to 'take-out' local police officers

Baltimore police released a statement saying local gangs had entered into a partnership to 'take-out’ law enforcement officers

Members denied claims local gangs had united to 'take-out’ law enforcement officers

Members of rival gangs have denied claims by Baltimore police that a partnership was brokered between the Bloods and the Crips in order to harm officers, telling the force: “We’re not about to allow you all to paint this picture of us.”

Baltimore Police released a statement citing a “credible threat” to law enforcement after the notorious gangs agreed to march side-by-side in the wake of widespread riots over the death of Freddie Gray.

Alleged Crips and Bloods members circulated photographs showing rivals standing together in solidarity after Gray died of a spinal injury he sustained while in police custody.

Both gangs said they were uniting peacefully to work towards justice for Gray and his family.

But the alert issued on 27 April claimed the police department’s criminal intelligence unit received information suggesting members of the BGF, Bloods and Crips had entered into a partnership “to 'take-out’ law enforcement officers”.

“This is a credible threat,” it warned. “Law enforcement agencies should take appropriate precautions to ensure the safety of their officers.”

Local gang members denied the claims during a television interview, where they criticised the image they accused Baltimore police of trying to portray of each group.

One member of the Bloods told WBAL: “We want to tell the people of the city right now, of Baltimore city, that the image that they’re trying to portray of the gangs in Baltimore — the BGF, the Bloods, the Crips — we did not make that truce to harm cops.

“We did not come together against the cops. We’re not about to allow you all to paint this picture of us. We got soldiers out here right now that are dirty — we dirty. They threw bombs at us to try and stop what’s going on right now. You all are not about to do that to us.”

He said the group of men speaking on camera contained members of the Bloods but emphasised that all three gangs “stand as one”.

Another member of the Bloods added: “We’re not Crips, we’re not Bloods or BGF. We are black men and we are united.”