A dragnet is any system of coordinated measures for apprehending criminals or suspects; including road barricades and traffic stops, widespread DNA tests, and general increased police alertness.
Dragnet was a long running NBC radio and television show about the cases of a Los Angeles, California police detective, Joe Friday, and his partner.
Dragnet first appeared on television in January of 1952.
In 1997, The New Dragnet appeared in first-run syndication, and in 2003 yet another Dragnet series was produced by Dick Wolf, the producer of Law & Order.