Bay Minette 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 Bay Minette Police Department GREAT Program will utilize FY 07 funds to deliver two components of the G.R.E.A.T. Program and to achieve the goals and objectives of G.R.E.A.T. These components, the middle school component and the elementary school component, will target high-risk youth in the Baldwin County school system that attend school in the City of Bay Minette. This program will be implemented in conjunction with other Bay Minette Police Department gang initiatives which include the Bay Minette's Project Safe Neighborhoods, Project ICE, and the Department of Justice's local Anti-Gang Initiative. The City of Bay Minette will also use funds to hire a full-time G.R.E.A.T. Officer to help implement the two components, training, supplies, and a vehicle.

CA/NCF