In many ways they are and always have been a gang.
'A group of people who through membership conspire to commit crime.'
Sounds like just a good a description for the Bloods as it does the West side.
MORGAN: Why didn't you fight him at the park if you wanted to? I'm not goin' now, I'm eatin' my snack. CHUCKIE: Morgan, Let's go. MORGAN: I'm serious Chuckie, I ain't goin'. WILL: So don't go.