Alabama Initiates Gang Database
By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media
May 9, 2025
MONTGOMERY Ala. Alabama has a gang problem. And it’s well known by law enforcement, politicians, and those responsible for keeping the citizens of Alabama safe. The problem isn’t new, but it is growing.
Gulf Coast News and Blue RAM Media have been tracking the violence, drugs and murders that comes with gangs. We’ve written about their increase and how they often put down stakes in small towns who have little to no law enforcement. There, they find solace in knowing that they’re unseen and their activities untracked.
Many states have long had databases chocked full of information on suspected gang members, their activities, associates and crimes and some states even require that convicted gang members register with law enforcement just like sex offenders do.
After years of ignoring the gang problem or maybe hoping that it’ll go away, Alabama legislators have passed a law to establish a similar database.
The House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee approved HB 403, sponsored by Rep. Russell Bedsole, R-Alabaster, at a March 19 meeting. It requires the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to create and manage a database of people that law enforcement identify as part of a criminal enterprise or gang.
“The bill includes rolling out the database after five years of no activity so there is no collection of information that is dated and no longer timely and relevant,” Bedsole said during the committee meeting.
The legislation authorizes ALEA to create and maintain the criminal enterprise database based on information by criminal justice agencies. The database would include information about people that law enforcement agencies believe are engaged in criminal conduct.
Many local law enforcement agencies have been tracking gang activity within their jurisdictions for years, keeping notes and compiling incident reports that involve crimes involving suspected gang members.
Now, in the new state database, people can be designated as part of a criminal enterprise or gang if they meet at least three criteria listed in statute. Some of those conditions include getting identified by an informant or family member, or if suspects admit to being part of a gang.
Other criteria include adopting “the style of dress of a criminal enterprise.” Law enforcement can also label someone as a member of a gang by adopting “the use of a hand sign identified as used by a criminal enterprise,” or if a person has “a tattoo identified as used by a criminal enterprise.”
If a person is known to be affiliated with local, regional or national gangs, the law could also apply.
For years, outspoken groups, family members and even those involved in the criminal justice system have spoken against the injustices of identifying someone as a gang member because of race, dress, tattoos or association with specific groups or people.
The database would not be public, and ALEA may only grant criminal justice agencies access to the information contained in the database. People will be granted access only as part of a court order; for discovery in lawsuits, or if a subpoena is issued.
People convicted of a Class A felony and who are part of a criminal enterprise, face a minimum of 25 years in prison.
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