Salem's 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 Salem Police Department will utilize the FY 07 G.R.E.A.T. funds to implement middle school, families, and summer programs. The Middle School Program will be implemented in the sixth grade. All students, approximately 387, in the sixth grade will be targeted to ensure equity in reaching the high risk youth. The G.R.E.A.T. officers will visit the classrooms once a week for 13 consecutive weeks to teach the program. The Family Program will lend the necessary education to parents regarding gang activity in the community as well as the signs and symbols to watch for and will hopefully impart some understanding of their support role with their children. The Program will be offered on a voluntary basis for anyone interested in learning and as a condition for families with court involved juveniles. The Summer Program will be a tremendous addition to the Regional Summer DARE Camp Program. The camp will run for two weeks and will have approximately 325 fifth graders. The City of Salem Police Department intends to reduce the incidents of violence and gang activity, create a safer school environment, improve positive perception of students toward police, and improve the communication and support within families.

CA/NCF