Debate over the origins of the Crips gang

[3] Williams and his friends were frequently getting into fights with several local gangs, such as the Sportsman Park Boys.

Due to these fights, Williams felt the need to protect himself and his friends, stating:[4]“My thoughts focused on countermeasures to conquer neighboring gang menaces.

[3] Washington asked Williams if he was interested in uniting with him, in order to defend themselves from neighborhood gangs.

In the interview, Barton described their brother Reggie, who was a popular musician at Fremont High School.

[7] The following day, a second meeting was held, where the options were narrowed down to three names, which included the Black Overlords, the Assassins, and the Cribs.

"[8] Barton claimed that “No matter what you read and no matter what others who are in the gang or in the neighborhood have told you, no one knows where Raymond came up with the name except family members and only immediate family members.”[2] Barton claims that in 1969, he witnessed a conversation between Raymond Washington and Washington's best friend Craig, where the pair were deciding the name of their new gang.

[9] However, these suggestions have been refuted by the explanations provided by both Stanley Williams and Raymond Washington's half-brother Derard Barton.