As part of our ongoing relationship with the Clarke County School District, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department presented multiple gang-related education programs to district administrators and students last week. Corporal Jerry Johnson spoke with two groups of school administrators and was joined by School Resource Officer (SRO) T. Clark in ongoing workshops to elementary and middle school students.

With school administrators, Johnson’s presentation included information on how gang members groom young children and how to recognize gang-related behaviors and signs.

“Although the district has not seen an uptick in gang-specific issues, we know that what we see in the community is reflected, to some degree, in school systems,” said Corporal Johnson. “My presentation illustrated why young children are drawn to street gangs. I also provided strategies to support these vulnerable students,” said Johnson 

"We are grateful the ACCPD provided continuing education to our staff," states Dr. Dawn Meyers, Chief of Policy and School Support Services. "The district will be better equipped to manage the ever-changing challenges of gang-related issues and ensure the appropriate measures are in place to keep our schools and students safe."

Corporal Johnson and SRO Clarke have been meeting with groups of students throughout this school year using the G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training) curriculum. The primary intent of the program is to immunize students against delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership. Johnson and Clarke’s class focused on providing life skills to students to help them avoid delinquent behavior as well as using violence to help solve problems. ### Geoffrey Gilland