The NYPD faces a federal lawsuit alleging the unlawful criminalization of Black and Latino residents through a gang database, where over 99% of its 13,200 entries are people of color, some as young as 13. The plaintiffs argue that the database perpetuates racial disparities reminiscent of the NYPD's stop-and-frisk tactics and operates without clear legal standards. They seek an injunction against its use due to its impact on bail determinations and legal rights. The NYPD defends the database as a necessary intelligence tool for combating gun violence and gang activity.
Over 99% of the 13,200 people listed as active gang members in the database are Black or Latino, some of them as young as 13.
The Database replicates and deepens the racial disparities of the NYPD's unconstitutional stop-and-frisk practices and recycles the very racial-profiling tactics driving those disparities.
The NYPD maintains no consistent or public definition of what constitutes a criminal group, nor does someone have to be suspected of committing a crime before being added to the database.
Inclusion in the database can result in heightened bail, denial of bail, revocation of plea offers, and ineligibility for diversion programs.
Collection
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