City of Banning 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 utilize Fiscal Year 2007 G.R.E.A.T. funds to implement the middle and elementary school components through multiple collaborative efforts with organizations that include the Rotary Club of Banning, The Boys and Girls Club of the San Gorgonio Pass, and the Police Activities League. It is anticipated that approximately 1,500 students in the community will be served by the program, which will employ a three-pronged strategy of prevention, intervention, and suppression. School officials and the G.R.E.A.T. officer will work closely with students involved in gangs or those that have demonstrated at risk behavior of gang involvement in order to provide a means of redirecting focus away from negative social behaviors and to bridge the gap between youth and law enforcement officers. The department will also provide opportunities for additional law enforcement officers to serve as mentors throughout the entirety of the program, with the ultimate goal of inspiring youth to become more involved and productive in the community.

CA/NCF