On Thursday, August 8th in an exclusive interview, Deputy Chief Jason Savino of the New York Police Department (NYPD) Detective Bureau emphasized the critical importance of the NYPD’s Criminal Group Database, commonly known as the gang database, in safeguarding the city’s residents. As a bill aimed at eliminating the database makes its way through the City Council, Savino passionately argued for its necessity, especially in light of the increasing gang-related violence across New York City.
The gang database has been a focal point of controversy, with critics arguing that it unfairly targets minority youth and infringes on civil liberties. However, law enforcement officials and public safety advocates maintain that the database is a vital tool for predictive policing, helping the NYPD prevent retaliatory shootings and other violent crimes associated with gang activity.
The Importance of the Database
During the interview, Assistant Chief Savino, who has served in the NYPD for 27 years, explained how the Criminal Group Database functions as a cornerstone of the department’s efforts to combat gang violence. “Gangs and the violence they perpetuate are among the most concerning issues we face in New York City,” Savino stated. “The gang database is absolutely necessary for our predictive policing strategies, allowing us to anticipate and prevent further violence after an initial gang-related incident.”
Savino provided a concrete example to illustrate the database’s effectiveness. He described a scenario where a gang member from the 900 gang in Sumner Houses is involved in a shooting in Brooklyn. Based on the intelligence stored in the database, the NYPD can predict that retaliation is likely to occur in areas where rival gangs, such as the Hoolie gang in Roosevelt Houses, are active. This predictive capability allows the NYPD to deploy resources strategically, thereby preventing further violence and ensuring public safety.
During the interview, Savino said, “One thing I think is very important to note is that the gang affiliation is an in-house record. It is only used for deployment purposes. It doesn’t affect employment status. It’s not reflected in immigration status. It [does not impact] whether you are going to be arrested or not. It is very strictly an in-house mechanism we use for deployment purposes.”
Background and Controversy
The NYPD’s Criminal Group Database has been operational since 2013 and, as of 2023, contains over 16,000 entries. The database includes information such as gang affiliations, distinctive tattoos, and other identifying markers. This information is gathered through a rigorous process, with individuals being added to the database only if they either self-identify as gang members or if multiple independent sources confirm their gang involvement.
Savino noted that the NYPD removes more data than it inputs. He stated that the ways in which data is grabbed and verified to allow for individuals to be entered into the database are “strenuous,” with a majority of data being rejected. “[The Criminal Group Database] is something that people think is robust. But really, it takes a lot to be entered. And all we are entering is your gang affiliation.”
Despite its effectiveness, the database has come under fire from some City Council members, who argue that it disproportionately impacts minority communities. Councilmember Althea Stevens, a vocal critic of the database, recently reintroduced a bill to abolish it, claiming that it “demonizes” young people of color. The bill is currently under review by the Council’s Public Safety Committee.
However, law enforcement experts, including retired NYPD officers and criminal justice professors, have strongly opposed the bill. They argue that the database is more essential than ever, especially given the recent influx of gang-affiliated migrants into New York City. These experts point to cases like that of Bernardo Raul Castro Mata, a 19-year-old Venezuelan migrant and member of the Tren de Aragua gang, who was charged with shooting two NYPD officers during a violent chase in Queens. The gang database was instrumental in identifying Mata’s gang affiliation and tracking his criminal activities.
The Role of the Database in Addressing Migrant Gangs
Savino also addressed the challenges posed by the growing presence of migrant gangs in New York City. He acknowledged that the influx of migrants has introduced new complexities in tracking gang members, particularly because many of them lack official documentation like birth certificates or passports. “We treat all gang members the same, whether they are homegrown or migrants,” Savino said. “However, the rise of Venezuelan, Ecuadorian, and Colombian gangs has required us to adapt our strategies. The gang database is crucial in this regard, as it allows us to gather and cross-reference intelligence, even when these individuals attempt to misrepresent themselves.”
Savino highlighted the importance of the database in monitoring gang activities among migrants, many of whom openly display their affiliations through tattoos and social media posts. “In some ways, these migrant gang members make our job easier by wearing their affiliations on their sleeves,” he noted. However, he also acknowledged the challenges posed by what he referred to as “ghost identities,” where individuals enter the country under false pretenses, complicating the task of identifying and tracking them.
The Necessity of the Database
As the debate over the NYPD’s Criminal Group Database continues, Assistant Chief Savino’s interview underscores the database’s critical role in maintaining public safety in New York City. “Eliminating the gang database would be detrimental and harmful to New Yorkers,” Savino warned. “Without this tool, our ability to predict and prevent gang-related violence would be severely compromised, putting both our officers and the public at greater risk.”
Savino’s sentiments are echoed by many within the law enforcement community, who see the database as an indispensable asset in the fight against gang violence. As the City Council deliberates on the future of the database, the stakes are high, with the safety of New Yorkers hanging in the balance.
