1. Root Data Sources
The intelligence aggregated within the American Gang Watch database is synthesized exclusively from verified, publicly accessible records. Primary data streams include:
- U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ): Press releases, prosecutorial unsealings, and public case summaries.
- Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC): U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctions lists and Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) designations.
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): National Gang Intelligence Center (NGIC) public threat assessments and historical bulletins.
- Federal Court Records: Unsealed federal indictments, notably RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) and VICAR (Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering) prosecutions.
2. Operational Scope
The analytical focus of this database is restricted to macro-level structural intelligence. The parameters of tracked data encompass:
- Historical origins and foundational geography.
- Organizational hierarchies and established command structures (e.g., prison-to-street command vectors).
- Primary and secondary Areas of Responsibility (AOR) / Active Regions.
- Documented identifiers (symbology, numeric codes, gang-specific taxonomy).
Exclusionary Parameters: This database does not track granular, real-time tactical movements, street-level clique borders, or predictive threat assessments. It serves as a historical and structural reference tool.
3. Legal & Operational Disclaimer
Notice to Users: American Gang Watch is an independent, civilian-operated data aggregation project. It is not a primary government source, nor is it affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any local, state, or federal law enforcement agency.
All estimated membership counts, territorial assessments, and threat capability summaries reflect retrospective estimates established in public indictments or law enforcement testimony at the time of their publication. These figures are subject to standard margins of error due to the decentralized and clandestine nature of criminal street associations.
Information provided herein is for research, analytical, and educational purposes only. Do not utilize this data as a substitute for official threat intelligence or real-time public safety directives.