Name: Greedy Boys 13
Other Names: Greedy Boys Rifa, GBR, GBR13
Founded: Late 1980s – Early 1990s
Location: Costa Mesa (Westside)
Territory: Placentia Avenue, 18th and 19th Streets, surrounding alleyways
Ethnicity: Primarily Hispanic / Chicano
Affiliation: Sureños
Allies: Other Sureño gangs (situational)
Rivals: Varrio Little Town (VLT), Forming Kaos (FK), Delhi, Santa Nita
Symbols: Green Bay Packers “G,” GBR, “13”
Colors: Blue, Green, Yellow
Size: Approximately 30–60 members
Criminal Activities: Narcotics distribution, assaults, graffiti, territorial disputes
The Greedy Boys, also known as Greedy Boys Rifa or GBR13, are a small but long-standing Hispanic Sureño street gang based in Costa Mesa. Unlike the larger and more entrenched gang populations in neighboring cities such as Santa Ana or Anaheim, the Greedy Boys are a highly localized group whose identity is rooted in specific blocks on Costa Mesa’s Westside.
Their influence is centered around the Placentia Avenue corridor and the 18th and 19th Street area, where they have maintained a consistent presence for decades despite their relatively small size. Known for their distinct branding and tight territorial control, GBR13 represents a neighborhood-based gang model that has persisted even as the surrounding city has undergone significant change.
History and Formation
Greedy Boys are believed to have formed during the late 1980s to early 1990s, a period marked by the spread of Los Angeles gang culture into Orange County’s suburban environments.
Their emergence is tied directly to Costa Mesa’s Westside, historically a working-class Mexican-American enclave within a city better known for its commercial development and proximity to coastal wealth. As the city modernized, this area remained one of the few pockets where multi-generational families and lower-income residents were concentrated, conditions that have historically supported the formation of neighborhood-based gangs.
Like many Southern California Hispanic gangs, GBR13 eventually aligned with the Sureño system, adopting the number 13 to signify allegiance to the Mexican Mafia. This affiliation places the gang within a broader network governed by prison-based leadership, where rules, discipline, and expectations are enforced beyond the streets.
Territory and Presence
Greedy Boys operate within a tight and clearly defined section of Costa Mesa’s Westside, with their presence centered around apartment complexes and residential blocks near 18th Street, 19th Street, and Placentia Avenue. In addition to these primary areas, members frequently utilize alleyways behind residential buildings as gathering points, movement corridors, and locations for tagging.
Unlike larger gangs that expand across multiple neighborhoods, GBR13 functions as a block-level gang, meaning its strength comes from constant presence and familiarity with the immediate environment.
The landscape of their territory is currently undergoing rapid change. Gentrification, redevelopment projects, and increased surveillance have significantly altered the area, as older apartment buildings are replaced with modern housing developments and security measures such as cameras and improved lighting become more common. These changes have reduced traditional gathering spaces and forced the gang to adapt to a more restricted and monitored environment.
Identity and Symbols
A defining characteristic of the Greedy Boys is their adoption of the Green Bay Packers “G” logo as a primary symbol, giving them a unique visual identity compared to other Sureño gangs. This symbol is widely reflected in tattoos, clothing, graffiti, and hand signs, making it a central part of the gang’s branding.
In terms of general identifiers, the gang traditionally associates with the color blue as part of their Sureño identity, while also heavily incorporating green and yellow to match the Packers-inspired imagery. Members commonly use a stylized “G” hand sign, which is often thrown high or positioned over the eyes for emphasis. Tattoos typically include markings such as “G,” “GBR,” or related symbols, often placed on visible areas like the hands, neck, or face.
Their internal slang further reinforces identity and status. Members may refer to themselves as “MK,” meaning Most Active or Mobbing Krew, while the term “PHK,” short for Placentia Hood Killer, is used as a direct threat toward rival neighborhoods.
Allies and Rivals
The Greedy Boys’ position within Costa Mesa places them in close proximity to several rival gangs, making conflict a central part of their existence.
Their most significant and long-standing rival is Varrio Little Town, commonly known as VLT, which is based in the Shalimar Drive area. Due to the close distance between the two territories, tensions between GBR13 and VLT have persisted for years and have historically contributed to much of the gang-related conflict within Costa Mesa. This rivalry is driven by territorial overlap, cycles of retaliation, and deep-rooted hostility.
In addition to VLT, the Greedy Boys have experienced friction with Forming Kaos, a larger and more structured Westside gang. Although both groups are affiliated with the Sureño umbrella, territorial disputes and local dynamics have led to tension between them.
On a broader regional level, GBR13 also maintains hostilities with Santa Ana-based gangs, particularly Delhi and Santa Nita. These conflicts reflect a common pattern in Southern California gang culture, where local territorial disputes often override broader alliances within the same umbrella.
Criminal Activity
Greedy Boys operate primarily at the street level, with their activities closely tied to maintaining control over their territory. Their presence is commonly associated with territorial graffiti used to mark and defend their area, as well as street-level narcotics distribution.
In addition, the gang is linked to assaults and retaliatory violence connected to ongoing rivalries, along with informal control over localized illicit activity occurring within their neighborhood. While their operations are limited in scale compared to larger organized groups, they remain consistent and focused on sustaining their presence rather than expanding outward.
Law Enforcement and Incarceration
Greedy Boys are recognized by local law enforcement and are regularly monitored by the Costa Mesa Police Department’s Gang Unit. Members frequently cycle through the Orange County jail system, where incarceration plays a significant role in reinforcing gang identity.
While in custody, members are expected to follow the rules and structure associated with the Sureño system, further integrating them into the broader network tied to the Mexican Mafia. This connection ensures that even a localized gang like GBR13 remains linked to a larger organizational framework.
Digital Presence
Like many modern gangs, Greedy Boys have adapted to the use of digital platforms as an extension of their identity. Members and affiliates have been known to post content such as “hood tours,” images tied to their symbols, and personal accounts related to street life.
This online activity serves as a form of digital territory claiming, allowing the gang to project its presence beyond the physical boundaries of Costa Mesa. At the same time, it increases visibility to law enforcement, creating a constant balance between exposure and risk.
Community Impact
The presence of Greedy Boys has had a localized but noticeable impact on Costa Mesa’s Westside. Their activity contributes to ongoing neighborhood tension, periodic violence tied to rivalries, and an increased police presence in affected areas.
At a deeper level, the gang reflects broader social conditions within the community, including economic disparity and limited opportunities in certain neighborhoods. For some individuals, the gang provides a sense of identity and belonging, while for the wider community, it represents instability and disruption.
Greedy Boys 13 represents a classic example of a neighborhood-based gang that has managed to persist despite changing social and physical conditions. Their longevity is tied to their tight territorial focus, strong local identity, and distinctive branding through the “G” symbol.
As Costa Mesa continues to evolve through development and gentrification, the long-term future of the gang remains uncertain. However, their influence on the Westside has already secured their place in the area’s street history.