Black Leaders confront Chief Moore, demand changes in the midst of gang database corruption scandal
|(CAPTION) L.A. Sentinel Executive Publisher, Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. and community advocates speak out for change within LAPD. (Photo by E. Mesiyah McGinnis/L.A. Sentinel)|
January 23, Los Angeles Titans in the collective community brought their united attention towards the miscount of vulnerable youth. Under the leadership of Chief Michel Moore, policemen added children from underrepresented communities to a database that notifies law enforcement of any gang relations. However, the selected youth would not have any previous gang-related history. The CalGang shared criminal intelligence system tracks the movement and stores a profile of people who are considered gang members. Civic Powerhouses that were present at the meeting included: Executive Leader of the L.A. Sentinel media outlet, Danny Bakewell, Sr., Khalid Shaw, founder of Stop the Violence, Increase the Peace Foundation, and Yvonne Wheeler, national representative, American Federation of Government Employees. Bakewell spoke directly to the chief, “Unfortunately, Chief, we have these meetings too often,” the executive publisher of the L.A. Sentinel and L.A. Watts Times newspapers continued, “We believe you have the right intent and the right spirit, but there’s not a lot of things changed.”