Pirus
 Piru graffiti
| |
| Founded | 1969 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Sylvester Puddin Scott, Vincent Benson Owens |
| Founding location | Compton and West Rancho Dominguez, California, United States |
| Years active | 1969–present |
| Ethnicity | Primarily African American. |
| Activities | Drug trafficking, robbery, extortion and murder |
| Allies | Bloods |
| Rivals | Crips |
The Pirus are a subset of the larger Bloods gang alliance, an organized crime group in the United States.
Etymology
The name "Piru" is derived from the Piru Street Boys, a gang which was founded in 1969 by Sylvester Scott and Vincent Owens in Compton. The Piru Street Boys are considered the forerunners to the Bloods, which is why the terms "Piru" and "Blood" are often used interchangeably. However, this interchangeable use of the terms is inaccurate, as many non-Piru gangs such as the Denver Lanes and Brims were also instrumental in the formation of the Bloods.
Furthermore, the Pirus have been described as an alliance of street gangs within the larger Bloods alliance, meaning that not all Bloods sets will identify as "Pirus".
History
In 1969, a gang called the Piru Street Boys was founded by Sylvester Scott and Vincent Owens. According to some sources, the Piru Street Boys were initially associated with the Crips, but later had a falling out. However, other sources dispute any alliance, claiming that the Piru Street Boys were victimised by the Crips. Nevertheless, by 1972, the Piru Street Boys formed an alliance with other smaller street gangs such as the Brims, Bishops and Denver Lanes, which also opposed the Crips. This alliance became known as the Bloods, as the members of this alliance called each other "blood".
Eventually, more Piru sets would form. There are 15 known Piru sets within the Greater Los Angeles area. Piru sets have fought against each other. For example, the alleged shooter of Biggie Smalls, a Mob Piru named Wardell Fouse, was reportedly killed by members of the Fruit Town Piru in 2003.
Piru sets
- Mob Piru
- Westside Piru
- Fruit Town Piru
- Lueders Park Piru
- Lime Hood Piru
- Elm Street Piru
- Tree Top Piru
- Cedar Block Piru
- Avenue Piru
- Holly Hood Piru
- Neighbourhood Piru
- Campanella Park Piru
- Cross Atlantic Piru
- Village Town Piru
- Skyline Piru
- Seaside Piru
- East Side Blood Money Piru
In popular culture
- The song "Piru Love" from Bangin' on Wax (1993) by Bloods & Crips makes references to various Piru sets, including Holly Hood, Elm Street and Lueders Park.
- The song "M.A.A.D City" from good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012) by Kendrick Lamar makes references to the Bloods, being Pirus particularly.