Durham G.R.E.A.T. Program

The Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program is a life-skills competency program designed to provide students with the skills they need to avoid gang pressure and youth violence. G.R.E.A.T.'s violence prevention curriculum helps students develop values and practice behaviors that will assist them to avoid destructive activities. The G.R.E.A.T. program coordinates with federal, regional, state and local agencies, as well as individuals from community and civic groups. The goal of the G.R.E.A.T. program is to train law enforcement officers in a school-based curriculum in which the officers provide instruction to school-aged children in life skill competencies, gang awareness, and anti-violence techniques. Training in the core G.R.E.A.T. program is provided to officers from any state or local law enforcement agency.

The Durham Police Department provides law enforcement to a population of 237,006 in an area of 103 square miles, a mix of urban, suburban and rural areas. A great deal of community and school violence can be attributed to youth gang violence. Over the past year Durham Public Schools has seen a rise in gang related incidents. The Durham Police Department will use the FY06 GREAT funding to teach the GREAT curriculum to the elementary and middle schools. The Department will also host two summer camps. The camp will consist of instruction, games, field trips and guest speakers. The purpose of the camp is to allow at risk youth the chance to participate in team building exercises which in turn will help reduce negative behaviors and build rapport with law enforcement.

CA/NCF