RALEIGH. N.C. - North Carolina law enforcement agencies are increasingly using a statewide database on gang members to combat crime in their local communities. The NC GangNET database is one element of Governor McCrory’s efforts to use intelligence gathering and information sharing to reduce criminal gang activity in North Carolina.

Members of a legislative subcommittee for Justice and Public Safety were told today that nearly 400 North Carolina law enforcement agencies are using NC GangNET, a database managed by the North Carolina Highway Patrol. In 2015, law enforcement officers queried the NC GangNET system more than 25,000 times. As of December 31, 2015 there were approximately 5,000 validated gang members in NC GangNet

J.P. Guarino, NC GangNET administrator, presented results from the “Gang Report” which includes recommendations on gang prevention, particularly among youths both in and out of the criminal justice system.

“Gangs know no boundaries, county lines or jurisdictions illustrating how the department’s work with school systems, in prisons and Community Corrections, along with NC GangNET and working with local law enforcement in sharing of information is so critical,” Public Safety Secretary Frank L. Perry said. “The department not only helps law enforcement statewide investigate and combat gang activity, but also works to divert juveniles through community-based programs.”

The Governor’s Task Force on Safer Schools and The Center for Safer Schools also shared with the committee what it’s doing to help schools take action against gangs.

In the last several months, the Center has been working with various school systems in piloting a smart phone application called “SPK UP NC.” The app gives students a way to send tips to the proper authorities anonymously. The goal is to have the app available to all school systems.

The Center provides training for School Resource Officers that includes identifying gang material, graffiti and members. They also have facilitated task force committee work with goals to find solutions on reducing juvenile involvement with gangs.

Adult Correction shared that there are currently nearly 5,000 validated gang members in the state prison system and another 2,800 on probation or parole. One prison has a unit that features programming specifically designed to change inmate thinking and help gang members remove themselves from gang life. This Security Threat Group Management Unit has been operational just over ten years and has graduated 1,050 inmates. The program has a more than 90 percent success rate and a reduction of disciplinary infractions by inmate participants by nearly 50 percent.

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Pamela Walker

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