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G.R.E.A.T.

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The G.R.E.A.T. Program is a school-based, law enforcement officer-instructed classroom curriculum. With prevention as its primary objective, the program is intended as an immunization against delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership.

Research has shown that 12 and 13 year-olds are most at-risk to commit their first criminal activity. Therefore, the G.R.E.A.T. curriculum is aimed at elementary and middle school students. The course consists of nine-week, anti-gang program that is taught by uniformed police officers. It exposes students to a broad range of topics, including conflict resolution, building social skills, and setting lifetime goals. Most importantly the G.R.E.A.T. program gives students opportunity to find out for themselves about the perils of gang activity.

Reducing youth violence and gang activity is a challenge and complex problem. There is no silver bullet in the fight against gangs. Neither schools nor law enforcement alone can break the cycle of gang violence that currently plagues many urban, suburban and rural communities across the nation. Ultimately, families, communities, public and private organizations and government must work together to stop gang violence and protect our youth.

Tigard's G.R.E.A.T. Program

Currently, the Tigard Police Department has three officers certified to teach G.R.E.A.T. and is teaching at the two middle schools in Tigard.

For more information about the G.R.E.A.T. program contact Sheryl Huiras, Youth Programs Manager at 503-718-2578.