It's been less than a year since the Warren Police Department was released from DOJ oversight that stemmed from several alleged excessive force and illegal search cases.

The President of the Greater Warren-Youngstown Urban League said he was upset to learn about the incident with Noah Linnen initially.

"To hear that it wasn't the truth, made me even angrier because it's a national trend," said Thomas Conley, president of the Greater Warren-Youngstown Urban League. 

A local pastor who was close to the scene where Linnen claimed a shooting took place last week, worried when he learned they were looking for someone who fit his profile.

"It concerned me, not for myself only, but for our entire community of African American males. The description that was put out fit me and many other African American males who could have been harmed," the pastor said.

While Linnen's story turned out to be made up, the pastor said this doesn't help the fears and lack of trust in the African American community.

He said individuals who were pulled over or detained by Linnen are now questioning his honesty in their cases.

Officials plan to make sure those cases are reviewed, which is a promise also made by the city's police chief, who's appalled by the ripple effect of Linnen's phony claims.

"Black males were traffic stopped in dark-colored SUVs in the area, I mean, this is outrageous," said Warren Police Chief Eric Merkel. 

Conley says the NAACP, the Urban League, and other organizations are preparing to release a joint statement on the matter in the coming days.