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 City of Banning Police Department will use its grant award to implement the G.R.E.A.T. program and provide a gang resistance program to 1,524 4th through 7th grade students within the Banning Unified School District. The G.R.E.A.T. officer will offer a determined number of 4th through 7th grade students the opportunity to participate in youth camps and youth programs offered by the Rotary Club and the Boys and Girls Club of Banning. The Banning Police Department will provide law enforcement officers to serve as mentors throughout the entirety of program.

CA/NCF