EDLA U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE SPONSORS PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, ATF, LOCAL SCHOOLS, AND LOCAL FAITH- BASED AND CIVIC GROUPS FOR RESTART OF G.R.E.A.T. PROGRAM TO DISSUADE NEW ORLEANS AREA YOUTHS FROM BECOMING INVOLVED IN GANGS AND VIOLENCE

The U.S. Marshals Service Eastern District of Louisiana (USMS EDLA) is already well known for its sponsorship of the Crescent Star Fugitive Task Force which combines federal, state, and local law enforcement resources in an effort to track and arrest fugitives in EDLA. The task force averages 10-15 fugitive arrests per week with many fugitives wanted on warrants involving crimes of violence or sex offenses. While those efforts are extremely productive, the U.S. Marshals Service EDLA will embark on a new proactive mission in an effort to change the mind set that promotes violence, gang activities, and the drug culture in the New Orleans metro area. USMS EDLA is sponsoring this partnership with the New Orleans Police Department; the Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff’s Office; New Orleans Harbor Police; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) New Orleans office to implement Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) in New Orleans area schools.

The G.R.E.A.T. Program, which is run by the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance, is designed to be taught to elementary and middle school students by law enforcement officers who have been certified in G.R.E.A.T. The lessons focus on providing life skills to students to help them avoid violence and delinquent activities. Many of the lessons focus on setting goals, decision making, and anger management. There is also a G.R.E.A.T.
Summer Program and a G.R.E.A.T. Families Program. The Families Program is designed to develop better communication between parents and children and is taught in the evenings. USMS EDLA will also partner with area elementary and middle schools, faith- based and civic organizations in the New Orleans area to expand the G.R.E.A.T. Summer and Families Programs. The NFL YET Boys and Girls Club, Progressive Baptist Church, Watson Memorial Teaching Ministries, and the Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church are planned partners as the program expands. The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School for Science and Technology will be the first school in the New Orleans area for G.R.E.A.T. to begin the school education instruction with students.

Acting EDLA U.S. Marshal Roxanna Irwin stated, “We cannot arrest and incarcerate ourselves out of the cycle of violence that continues in the New Orleans metro area. G.R.E.A.T. will attempt to inspire elementary and middle school children and show them that there is a future other than gangs, drugs, and violence. Only if kids set positive goals and make G.R.E.A.T. decisions can they become successful in life. I am pleased that our partner law enforcement agencies, schools such as MLK, and both faith- based and civic organizations have agreed to assist in this endeavor to create a better post Katrina New Orleans.”

The Phoenix, AZ. Police Department, local teachers, and community leaders supported by funding from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) developed the G.R.E.A.T. Program in 1991. It is currently managed by the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance. For more information on G.R.E.A.T. visit the website at www.great-online.org.