The number "187" is often associated with the California Penal Code section that defines homicide. In legal terms, it refers to the unlawful killing of another person, which can be classified as either murder or manslaughter. This code is frequently cited in criminal cases and media portrayals of crime. In popular culture, "187" has been referenced in various songs, movies, and television shows, particularly in the context of gang violence and crime. It has become a symbol of the serious nature of violent crime, often used to evoke a sense of danger or urgency in storytelling.