University City 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 University City Police Department proposes to utilize its 2007 G.R.E.A.T. award funds to implement the elementary, middle school, and summer program components. Pre-gang involvement usually begins at the elementary school level. The program will continue in the middle school with the goal of reinforceing anti-gang life. It is hoped that this program will help change the attitudes of the youth along with helping alter aggressive behavior by educating students on decision-making and the outcomes of those decisions. By implementing the G.R.E.A.T. program in the elementary schools it is the hope that the officers can make an impact on those students altering the development of problem behavior. It is also the hope that by implementing this G.R.E.A.T. program it will have an impact on school violence, encourage goals and values, and lay a foundation to encourage education, good study habits, and instill a non-violent approach.

CA/NCF