" Violations are broken when one of the gang members disobeys the G.D. creed. The punishments can range anywhere from beatings to death to members who break the gang rules. Shorties execute drug deals and guard gang territory. Most of the shorties are lured in from poor communities with a promise of easy cash ($50 to $200 a day) and bigger responsibilities like working "security" shifts with powerful handguns. .
All of these gang members are all under the control of one man, Larry Hoover. He started the Gangster Disciples in the middle of the 70's but was soon after put in jail after being charged with kidnaping and murder. His organization began to grow while he was in jail and by the 90's he found himself controlling an army of thugs not seen since the days of prohibition. Most of the moves by the gang were issued straight from Hoover's jail. He was able to do this due to special connections he developed as his gang grew. He enjoyed special privileges such as a cell phone with unlimited calls to an unlocked jail cell. From here he was able to draw millions of dollars a year coming from the drug dealers that he controlled all over the city. .
Much of his power also came from his directors that were in direct contact with the G.D.
Through regular visits and phone calls from his generals he was able to keep a close eye on his money and his growing army. They regularly reported to him moves being made by rival gangs and kept tabs on their supplier, the Columbian Cartel. He understood as well as they did the importance of this structure. Without this discipline the G.D. would just be another local street gang. .
The G.D. do not have a monopoly over all gang activity in the Chicago area though. They have many rival gangs. Their biggest rivalry actually began in prison and the spread to the streets. In the 80's, to try to take control of the Illinois prison system from the Gangster Disciples the "People" alliance was formed.