GREAT Training Grant

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 Las Cruces Police Department will use their G.R.E.A.T. funding to prevent juvenile crime, violence, and gang involvement while developing positive relationships and role models among families, the community, and law enforcement. G.R.E.A.T. officers will continue to teach the middle school curriculum to seventh grade students in five middlle schools and approximately 1500 youth will be served. The department will hire personnel, purchase incentive items for the students, and buy laptop computers for the officers to use in the G.R.E.A.T. program.

CA/NCF