Chicago Inspector General to Release Report on Gang Database


The office of Chicago Inspector General Joe Ferguson, the city’s top watchdog, will release a report Thursday examining the Chicago Police Department’s gang database.

In compiling the report, Ferguson and his team analyzed how the police department classifies individuals as gang-involved by reviewing arrest report data, interviewing law enforcement officials across multiple agencies, observing gang-related officer training and receiving input from the community via public forums.

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The database designates more than 128,000 individuals as gang-related, according to Freedom of Information Act requests filed by ProPublica Illinois reporter Mick Dumke.

During her campaign, Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot pledged to audit and overhaul the gang database, replacing it with clear guidelines that allow individuals to petition for removal from it.

Ferguson joins Carol Marin ahead of the report’s release.

Follow Evan Garcia on Twitter: @EvanRGarcia


Related stories:

Inspector General Decries ‘Keep Your Mouth Shut’ Culture at City Hall

Consent Decree, Gang Database Front and Center at City Council

New Chicago Gang Book Highlights Rise in Factions, Social Media Use


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