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OAKLAND, Calif. (KCBS) -- A documentary airing on the Discovery Channel this month has made a controversial claim about Oakland's gang problem.
"Gang Wars: Oakland" is a two-part documentary film and episode one claimed that the city of Oakland has at least 10,000 gang members on the street.
But acting Oakland Police Chief Howard Jordan strongly refutes the claim.
KCBS' Margie Shafer Reports
"It's completely inaccurate. I'm a little surprised and disappointed that they used those figures," Jordan said. "We worked with the producers originally when they came to talk to us about filming this and the original story was about our gang unit."
Jordan said he believed the number is closer to a thousand gang members in the city.
He also said you can't characterize someone as a gang member just because of the color they wear or the neighborhood they live in.
"We don't take the gang problem lightly. I disagree with that particular assessment," said Jordan.
He said the department has received negative reactions and inquiries based on the documentary.
"Also lost in the story is the fact that we have been doing a very good job of addressing gang violence as an overall citywide plan," he said.
The second part of the documentary is set to air Monday on the Discovery Channel.
(kmi)
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