Visit the BJA's G.R.E.A.T. page.

G.R.E.A.T. (GANG RESISTANCE EDUCATION AND TRAINING) is a nine week curriculum with a culmination during the 10th week.

The G.R.E.A.T. program was established in 1991 by the ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Bureau) and the Phoenix Arizona Police Dept.  The goals of the G.R.E.A.T. program are to reduce Gang activity and to educate a population of young people as to the consequences of gang activity.  In 2004, Congress directed that overall program administration be transferred to the Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). In October 2004, a grant was awarded by BJA to the Institute for Intergovernmental Research® (IIR) to provide national training coordination services and related tasks.

Since its inception in 1991, over 8,000 law enforcement officers have been certified as G.R.E.A.T. instructors and more than 4 million students have graduated from the G.R.E.A.T. Program.

Hastings, as with many communities, is seeing a growing gang presence due to the continuing problem of drugs.

Officer Norma Rust presents the program to 8th Graders at the Hastings Middle School.  Our hopes are to have this program along with other programs in all of the Hastings Schools in the near future.