The Bryant Street Locos (BSL), also known as 22B (Legal Affairs Nov.-Dec. 2003), are a San Francisco-based Latino street gang (The Independent 12 Aug. 2004) operating under the umbrella of the "Norteños," a larger gang grouping whose turf has traditionally extended throughout northern California (Legal Affairs Nov.-Dec. 2003; San Francisco Examiner 2 July 2004). Within San Francisco's Mission district, there are reportedly at least six Norteño-affiliated groups, of which the 22B is the "most elite and violent ... division, composed of gangsters in their prime" (SF Weekly 3 Mar. 1999).

Established in the mid-1980s (SFPD 2 Nov. 2004), the BSL's original territory was centred on Bryant and 22nd Streets (SF Weekly 3 Mar. 1999). As of November 2004, their turf encompasses the 24th Street corridor, from Mission Street in the west to Potrero Avenue in the east (SFPD 2 Nov. 2004). According to a San Francisco Police Department inspector attached to the Gang Task Force, BSL members include individuals born in the United States, as well as Nicaraguans, Salvadorans and, in the past eight years, a growing number of Hondurans (ibid.). The inspector also stated that the BSL, whose members number approximately 50, are involved in a range of criminal activities, including narcotics trafficking, violent assault, robbery, vandalism, uttering of threats and drive-by shootings (ibid.). Furthermore, BSL members were reportedly implicated in a high profile sexual assault case in the mid-1990s which brought considerable attention to the group (ibid.).

The inspector stated that new members are initiated into the gang by being "jumped in," or beaten up, for 22 seconds by either three or four established gang members (ibid.). With regard to the group's insignia, the inspector noted that the gang is associated with the colour red, with some members also being tattooed with the number "2" on each arm and/or the letters "BSL" on their neck (ibid.). Documentary sources consulted by the Research Directorate also refer to the Norteños' association with the colour red (The Independent 12 Aug. 2004; SF Weekly 3 Mar. 1999).

No mention of links or antagonism between the BSL and a gang called Mara 18 (M-18) could be found among the documentary sources consulted by the Research Directorate. The SFPD inspector stated that he had never heard of Mara 18 nor seen any graffiti indicative of its presence in San Francisco (2 Nov. 2004).

The Independent [San Francisco]. 12 August 2004. Alison Soltau. "Deadly Colors." http://www.sfindependent.com/article/index.cfm/i/081204n_gangs [Accessed 2 Nov. 2004]

Legal Affairs. November-December 2003. Wade Chow. "Trials, but Mostly Tribulations." http://www.legalaffairs.org/issues/November-December-2003/feature_chow_novdec03.html [Accessed 26 Oct. 2004]

San Francisco Examiner. 2 July 2004. Sabrina Crawford. "Gangs Feel Cities' Heat." http://www.sfexaminer.com/article/index.cfm/i/070204n_pengangs [Accessed 2 Nov. 2004]

San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), Gang Task Force. 2 November 2004. Telephone interview with an inspector.

SF Weekly [San Francisco]. 3 March 1999. Joel P. Engardio. "East Side Story." http://www.sfweekly.com/issues/1999-03-03/feature.html [Accessed 2 Nov. 2004]

Oral sources: Unsuccessful attempts to contact two oral sources.

Internet sites, including: El Heraldo [Tegucigalpa], La Prensa [San Pedro Sula], San Francisco Bay Guardian, San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco Police Department.