Police Officers Caught on Camera Making Gang Signs

There are troubling developments in the Bronx. Two police officers were photographed clearly making hand signals associated with the notorious Mack Baller Brims gang, linked to the Bloods. This comes as the NYPD is now looking into the incident.

The undated image, which has gained attention on social media, seemingly shows the officers at a McDonald’s posing next to a young man whose identity remains unknown.

In the photo, one officer demonstrates a specific way of crossing his fingers, a known symbol of the Mack Baller Brims. The other officer appears to craft another gang sign, with his index finger bent back while displaying three other fingers.

Eric Sanders, a lawyer and former member of the NYPD, confirmed the signs matter. “That’s the brim sign of a muck baller,” he remarked, emphasizing that such behavior indicates a need for disciplinary measures, including reassignment to desk duties.

Kevin O’Connor, a former NYPD Deputy Director, remarked that the officers seem to be attempting to make gang signals but aren’t quite hitting the mark. He questioned the context of the photo, pondering whether they were mocking the young man for wearing blue, as the Bloods are known to represent red, while their rivals, the Crips, are associated with blue.

This alarming image was first posted on Instagram on May 4 by a user named michaelclancy1312. The user did not respond to comments about the photo’s original post, leaving much speculation around its origins.

A user on social media criticized the officers’ behavior, saying it reflects poorly on the department and isn’t appropriate for community policing. They posed the question of who’s being hired to serve in the NYPD.

Responses from the public have been largely negative, with many expressing shock and disappointment at the officers’ actions. One Bronx officer deemed the image “absolutely disgraceful,” explaining that such antics tarnish the department’s hard work in combating gang activities.

However, some police sources insisted the officers were merely goofing around and didn’t anticipate the image would go viral.

One of the officers, named Shane Crews, has been with the force since 2024 and has since been reassigned from the 43rd Precinct to a station in Brownsville. The second officer’s identity remains a mystery as his badge number isn’t visible in the picture.

While police officials couldn’t provide detailed comments on the situation, they did acknowledge that an internal investigation is ongoing.

The Mack Baller Brims gang has had a presence in the Bronx since 2001 and is recognized as one of the most dangerous branches of the Bloods. They’re notorious for various criminal activities, including robbery, extortion, and murder.

The name “Mack” pays tribute to a founding member of the Bloods, and “Baller” signifies a higher-ranking gang member. Their affiliation also ties back to the original New York Blood Brim Gang.

In 2023, multiple members of the Mack Baller Brims were indicted for a series of armed robberies around Manhattan. Previous indictments have also stemmed from violent incidents linked to the gang in the Bronx.

The Drug Enforcement Administration describes the Mack Baller Brims as a “criminal organization that engages in such acts to maintain and protect power, territory, and profits.”

Michael Alcazar, who worked with the NYPD and now teaches at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, pointed out that the department will likely scrutinize the backgrounds of the involved officers following this incident. He emphasized the unprofessionalism of a police officer displaying gang signs in uniform.

Alcazar added that if the officers have any hidden criminal associations, they could face termination. Although they might be just mimicking something seen in pop culture, it raises serious concerns.

In recent years, the NYPD has relaxed its hiring standards to counteract a decline in staffing. For instance, regulations barring applicants with minor marijuana offenses were lifted in 2021 after legalization. Yet, current officers remain prohibited from using marijuana and are subject to random drug tests.

The hiring process has also evolved, with the NYPD cutting the required college credit hours to attract more candidates amid staffing challenges.