Gang Investigation and Prevention

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 Orangeburg will utilize their FY 2007 G.R.E.A.T. grant to implement the program within the city and schools outside the city to establish a local gang reduction effort to address the factors that put juveniles at increased risk for gang membership and activity. Some of the goals include focusing efforts to five elementary schools and two secondary schools, reaching approximately 2,172 students; implementing the elementary school, middle school, and family components to help prevent youth from seeing gangs as a way of life; and assisting families in preventing children from turning to gangs by strengthening their role in the child's life.

CA/NCF