Task force eliminates use of gang database because of complaints it contains too many minorities

ALEXANDRIA, VA – A Virginia gang task force serving agencies in 12 jurisdictions across the Washington, D.C., region has dropped the use of a popular database that catalogs alleged gang members after activists complained that minorities are disproportionately represented.

The Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force has discontinued the use of GangNet, a real-time database designed to track gang members and activities, according to a report in The Washington Post.  Despite law enforcement officials saying the system is an effective gang-fighting tool, the decision to discontinue the use of GangNet was made after police reform advocates claimed the system promoted racial profiling.

Police reform advocates also claim the system is unfair because people entered into the database are never told they have been labeled as a gang member, and never have a chance to challenge their entry into the database.