Rutherford County Officials Watching as State Gang Task Force Flags Training, Data Gaps

A North Carolina task force examining gang violence is beginning to outline its priorities, but early discussions highlight persistent gaps in training and data that could carry particular implications for rural counties like Rutherford County.

Members of the enforcement, intelligence, and interagency coordination subcommittee of the state’s Gang Prevention and Intervention Task Force met on April 28 to map out a six-month work plan. Rather than proposing immediate policy changes, the group focused on identifying structural weaknesses — many of which participants said have existed for years.

Those gaps could be especially relevant in smaller jurisdictions, where law enforcement agencies often operate with fewer resources and less specialized training.

The subcommittee plans to organize its work around five areas: gang validation, strategic enforcement, data collection and sharing, risk assessment, and communication. Members said future meetings will include subject-matter experts and lead to recommendations for state leaders and local agencies.

One of the first issues under review is gang validation — the process used by law enforcement to identify individuals as gang members. Participants said standards vary widely across agencies, raising questions about consistency from one jurisdiction to another.

That inconsistency extends to crime data reporting. Officials raised concerns about uneven participation in the National Incident-Based Reporting System, the federal database used to track crime trends. Because the system relies on both victim reports and officer documentation, differences in how incidents are recorded can lead to gaps.

“If it’s not documented, it didn’t happen,” said Sanford Police Department Detective N.B. Snyder, pointing to what some described as systemic underreporting.

For counties like Rutherford, where agencies may have fewer personnel dedicated to data entry or intelligence work, those inconsistencies can make it harder to identify patterns or justify additional resources.

Participants also raised concerns about intelligence sharing. While agencies can access support from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and regional information-sharing networks, members acknowledged that communication is not always consistent across jurisdictions.

Training emerged as a central concern.

Several participants said North Carolina lacks a universal requirement for gang-related training, particularly for new officers. Without a baseline understanding, officers may miss key indicators when documenting incidents — an issue compounded by the evolving nature of gang activity.

Traditional identifiers such as colors or tattoos are no longer as reliable, participants said, making ongoing training more important.

That challenge may be more pronounced in rural areas, where departments have limited access to specialized instruction or dedicated gang units.

Participants suggested that even modest, standardized training requirements could improve both identification and reporting — strengthening the data used by policymakers and law enforcement alike.

Some members also noted that smaller agencies may be hesitant to formally acknowledge gang activity, a factor that can further complicate efforts to build an accurate statewide picture.

To address that, the subcommittee discussed the importance of leadership buy-in, including presenting findings directly to police chiefs and sheriffs at statewide conferences.

The group is also considering expanding beyond law enforcement perspectives by inviting victims of gang violence and consulting with federal partners, including FBI task forces, as well as reviewing how other states approach prevention and enforcement.

The discussion revisited earlier efforts in North Carolina, including a 2012 gang report released under former Gov. Beverly Perdue. That report emphasized enforcement strategies, including expanded gang training and coordination with federal prosecutors.

More than a decade later, it remains unclear which recommendations were fully implemented — a gap that underscores the challenge facing the current task force.

The new task force was established by executive order in August 2025 by Gov. Josh Stein and is housed within the Governor’s Crime Commission. It brings together law enforcement, education, public health, and community leaders to address what officials describe as a growing concern, particularly among juveniles.

“To keep people safe, we need to do everything we can to prevent violence from occurring in the first place,” Stein said when announcing the initiative. “We must bring law enforcement, health professionals, and community organizations to the table to create safer communities.”

State and federal data suggest an increase in juvenile gang-related offenses in recent years, though participants cautioned that inconsistent reporting makes it difficult to measure the full scope of the issue.

For now, the subcommittee’s focus remains on building a framework that can translate into actionable policy — with an emphasis on measurable outcomes and clearer standards that could eventually reach local agencies in places like Rutherford County.