Philadelphia Housing Authority Police Department 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 Philadelphia Housing Authority Police Department (PHAPD) has operated a Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program for residents of the Philadelphia Housing Authority since 1999. The PHAPD will continue to concentrate its efforts on middle school students within its jurisdiction to combat the increased level of youth violence. PHAPD plans to increase the overall number of elementary and middle school students participating in the PHAPD G.R.E.A.T. program by at least 5 percent over last year to meet the challenges that youth face each and every day.

The G.R.E.A.T. program has served more than 3,000 students citywide. The G.R.E.A.T objectives are addressed through a classroom curriculum taught to middle school students by uniformed Philadelphia Housing Authority Police Officers. Students are taught to set positive goals, resist negative pressures, resolve conflicts, and understand the negative impact of gangs on their lives. The program is designed to be instructed by uniformed police officers in partnership with classroom teachers and the program concentrates on teaching children the life skills needed to avoid violence and gang membership. The innovative nature of the program lies in two areas, instruction of students and collaboration with parents and partners.

It is the hope of PHAPD that this program will reduce student involvement in gangs and delinquent behavior, teach them the consequences of gang involvement and develop positive relations with law enforcement.

CA/NCF