The Bloods and Crips, well-known gangs on the West Coast, are a growing concern for law enforcement in the Washington area.

In fact, authorities say gang members are suspects in several crimes from Prince William County (web|news) to Baltimore. For example, in Washington's Trinidad neighborhood, where police are battling an increase in violence this year, young people are wearing the Bloods' colors and flashing their hand signs.

In Montgomery County (web|news), authorities have linked a shooting and three stabbings to a Bloods-Crips feud.

Bob Bermingham, gang prevention coordinator in Fairfax County (web|news), says in some cases, local crews are taking the Bloods' or the Crips' names to gain credibility. But Capt. Bill Lynn, of the Prince George's County police, says "wannabes" can be just as dangerous because they have something to prove. 

Images of the dangerous street gang known as the bloods can be found across the Internet. Founded in L.A. in 1972, the notorious group's identifying color is red and there are factions across the country but the bloods never got a foothold in D.C. Now police are seriously concerned members are operating within city limits.

"There has been an increased presence we've seen the tattoos, members wearing the colors." "We know they are trying to recruit," said D.C. commander Larry McCoy.

McCoy is in charge of the D.C. Police intelligence unit. He explains this past spring that several suspects claiming to be bloods were arrested in the city for assaulting an alleged member who wanted out of the gang. "They were true blood members it was the biggest eye opener for us here in D.C.," said McCoy.

Sources say a group wearing the gangs's colors and flashing the gang's handsigns have been seen late night in Adams Morgan outside of nightclubs. This 27-year old architect says he seen them also.

"A lot of them are out here in the red and black it's so blatant," he said.

Darroll Brown of the Alliance of Concerned Men in Northwest spent time in federal prison and believes anyone claiming to be a blood in D.C. isn't the real deal. A year ago the alliance took these red bandannas away from groups of teenage boys who were mimicking media driven images. Brown warns this isn't a game.

"You might have real true bloods that have access to our media that seeing these kids that might actually try to come down and make these kids real bloods. Once you're in you're in. The only exit is death," said Brown.