The 1987 - 1992 period saw the Families begin to lose ground to the Ballas who became heavily involved in the drugs trade.
Specifically when the gang war started is unknown, but the rivalry between the two gangs was in full swing as early as 1987. The Grove Street Families have a history of a traditional, intense, and bloody rivalry with the Ballas.
It is obvious the set was formed in Grove Street, Ganton due to their name. Since the Ballas formed in the 1970's, this puts the formation of the Grove Street Families to the 1960's or earlier. However, it is said that they are one of the oldest gangs in Los Santos. The formation date of the Families, and Grove Street Families as a set is unknown.
Acting as the native gang of Carl 'CJ' Johnson, the protagonist of the game, who eventually becomes a high-ranking co-leader, it is led by deuteragonist Sean 'Sweet' Johnson, and is heavily involved in the criminal underworld of Los Santos and San Andreas. Grove Street Families, also known as The Families, Groves or GSF for short, is a leading gang set in Los Santos that appears in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Glen Park (After Doberman, reclaimed again after Beat Down on B-Dup) The primary members and 'OG's' or 'shot-callers' of the Grove Street Families from left to right: Ryder, Big Smoke, Carl Johnson and Sweet.
