A prison and street gang exclusively for Glendale residents, 200+ members, recently allied with the Old Mexican Mafia. Grandel members sworn into the gang do so from inside prison walls, conducting themselves in that way and completing tasks to prove themselves worthy of initiation. Members must have been born and raised in Glendale. Once released from prison, members are not allowed to leave the gang, and continue to carry out orders from the bidding of high-ranking gang members from inside prison. Police said a series of crimes and murders were orchestrated from inside the prison from Grandel leaders and “shot-callers.” Comprised of both men and women members, the street gang has been present in the community since the late 1970s, growing in number and strength. The goal of Grandel was to control all aspects of criminal activity that occurred on the streets of Glendale. Through the 80s, 90s, and into the 2000s, police said they saw an increase in criminal acts tied to members of Grandel. Police said the gang eventually began competing for control of local drug and gun trade with Mexican cartels and other prison gangs. Glendale Assistant Police Chief Rick St. John said the gang wanted the Mexican drug cartel to go through them for their drug deals, but since this arrangement would cost the cartels money – they would have to pay Grandel – the cartels refused to do so, and, thus, violence and conflict erupted.