|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
CONTACT:
Lauren Rooney |
State Rep. John
Galloway |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Galloway ganging up on violent gangs
Introduces bill designed to raise funds for anti-gang program
HARRISBURG, March 14 – State Rep. John Galloway, D-Bucks, is taking aim at youth gang violence in Pennsylvania by introducing legislation that would raise funds for the Gang Resistance Education and Training Program.
Similar to Pennsylvania’s D.A.R.E. license plate, Galloway’s legislation (H.B. 806) would create a special G.R.E.A.T. license plate; $15 of each plate purchased would fund the gang resistance, awareness and prevention program.
“Gangs are one of the biggest threats to the safety of our children,” said Galloway, D-Bucks. “These organizations lure kids in by offering them a sense of importance and belonging. The best way to keep our kids away from gang activities is to teach them positive self-esteem and to show them that there are alternatives to delinquent behavior, which is what the G.R.E.A.T. program does.”
G.R.E.A.T. was developed in 1991 through the coordinated efforts of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Phoenix Police Department. In 1998 the program became available in Pennsylvania through the Philadelphia Police Department.
The goal of G.R.E.A.T. is to prevent youth crime, violence and gang involvement by giving children the confidence and self-esteem they need to make positive life choices. The program also aims to develop a positive relationship among law enforcement, families and young people to create safer communities.
The G.R.E.A.T. program is a series of school-based lessons for students in elementary through middle school taught by trained police officers. Its goals include:
- lowering levels of victimization;
- educating children on the negative aspects of gangs and gang life;
- elevating favorable views towards police;
- promoting reductions in risk-seeking behavior and gang interaction;
- increasing association with peers involved in positive social activities.
“Gang violence is not just a big city problem. Suburban communities and rural towns are also seeing its impact,” Galloway said. “This is a statewide problem that needs the kind of statewide solution G.R.E.A.T. offers.”
###lr/2007/agh
l:\print\releases\GREAT.140