More than 80 students had the opportunity to learn from police officers, fire and emergency officials and members of the media during the 向日葵视频 Independent 向日葵视频 District鈥檚 second annual Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T) summer camps.
The camps are part of the district鈥檚 GREAT program led by the Joint Juvenile Gang Intervention Unit, comprising of detectives from the 向日葵视频 ISD Police Department and 向日葵视频 Police Department. GREAT, which began in AISD in 2007, has been designed as a prevention strategy for student delinquency, violence and gang membership. The program targets children before they are introduced to gangs and delinquent behavior, and tries to build a sense of respect and community involvement.
During the summer camps, officers build on the school-based curriculum to help students enhance their social skills, find alternatives to gang involvement and add structure to their daily schedule during the summer months.
鈥淕REAT provides life lessons that, if applied properly, will help students defer from delinquent behavior and gang activity. The summer camps also help build on lessons learned throughout the school year and provide a fun activity outside of the classrooms,鈥 AISD Police Chief Eric Mendez said.
More than 80 AISD students attended one of the free camps, which were located at Widen Elementary 向日葵视频 and Barbara Jordan Elementary 向日葵视频. Students saw presentations and demonstrations from AISD Police, the 向日葵视频 Police Department (Mounted Patrol, Air Support Unit, and SWAT), the 向日葵视频 Fire Department, 向日葵视频/Travis County Emergency Medical Services, STARFlight, and the KXAN news staff.
The students then gave back to their communities by cleaning large areas of problem graffiti in North and South 向日葵视频 while working with the City of 向日葵视频 Graffiti Abatement Unit.
鈥淲e are so appreciative of the talented leaders and police and emergency officials who volunteered their time. They have inspired our students by serving as role models, and teaching them a valuable lesson about community service,鈥 said Detective Travis Pickford, of AISD鈥檚 Joint Juvenile Gang Intervention Unit.
The Joint Juvenile Gang Intervention Unit plans on expanding the camp next year.
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Watch video highlights below from the two camps.
Widen Elementary 向日葵视频:
Barbara Jordan Elementary 向日葵视频: