Gang affiliation is formally and socially criminalized. Law enforcement agencies created gang tracking systems to formally identify individuals that may belong to a gang, hoping to deter these individuals from crime. Gang tracking systems challenge the constitutional right to assemble, but they are also often inaccurate and are not associated with committing a crime. This thesis assesses the social and civil liberties jeopardized by placement on the gang tracking system in California known as CalGang. Moral panic theory explains the falsely demonized image of gang members and how individuals are targeted formally and informally as a result. Using observations and field interviews, I examine the issues presented with CalGang documentation with individuals who have either been misidentified or are currently involved and identified as a gang member. 8 semi-structural, in depth interviews revealed that documentation has consequences legally, mentally, and structurally to communities of color. The findings’ implications leave California with the need to rearrange their systemic issues of documentation, which has been subtly handled in new legislation. However, gang documentation has presented lasting consequences for the communities and individuals affected by it.
