Gang Resistance Education and Training

The G.R.E.A.T. Program is a school-based, law enforcement officer-instructed classroom curriculum.  The program's primary objective is prevention and is intended as an immunization against delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership.  G.R.E.A.T. lessons focus on providing life skills to students to help them avoid delinquent behavior and violence to solve problems.  The G.R.E.A.T. Program consists of four components: a 13-week middle school curriculum, an elementary school curriculum, a summer program, and families training.

• Admits to "hanging out" with kids in gangs
• Shows an unusual interest in one or two particular colors of clothing or particular logo
• Has an unusual interest in gangster-influenced music, videos, movies, or websites
• Uses unusual hand signals to communicate with friends
• Has specific drawings or gang symbols on school books, clothes, walls, or tattoos
• Comes home with unexplained physical injuries (fighting-related bruises, injuries to hand/knuckles)
• Has unexplained cash or goods, such as clothing or jewelry
• Carries a weapon
• Has been in trouble with police or at school
• Exhibits negative changes in behavior such as:
  • Withdrawal from family
  • Declining school attendance & performance
  • Staying out late without a reason
  • Displaying an unusual desire for secrecy
  • Exhibiting signs of drug use
  • Breaking rules consistently
  • Speaking in gang-style slang
  • Uses gang style hand signs

What Parents and Communities can do to Prevent Gang Involvement

• Spend quality time with your child
• Get involved in your child's school activities
• Be a positive role model and set the right example
• Know your child's friends and their families
• Encourage good study habits
• Teach your child how to cope with peer pressure
• Help your child develop good conflict resolution skills http://www.safeyouth.org/
• Encourage your child to participate in positive after-school activities with adult supervision
• Take action in your neighborhood
  • Form a Community Watch group
  • Request immediate removal of graffiti
• Educate yourself on gangs and how they negatively impact your community

Information provided by the U.S. Department of Justice http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/