National Security Minister Michael Dunkley today announced the relaunch of an anti-gang violence initiative to combat anti-social behaviour in Bermuda.

The Gang Resistance Education and Training initiative, or GREAT, is seen another tool in the fight against violent crime and gangs.

Speaking at the Victor Scott Primary School, Mr. Dunkley said the programme was “an effective gang and violence prevention programme built around a classroom experience led by law enforcement officers”.

The sole aim and objective of the programme was to make early intervention against “delinquency, youth violence and gang membership for children” before the introduction into gangs and anti-social behaviour before it starts.”

“We are determined to win back our communities by promoting alternatives to the gang lifestyle and its illegal activities,” said Mr. Dunkley.

“Bermuda’s gang issue is by no means resolved and it is the responsibility of law enforcement and governments to use every available opportunity to combine strong enforcement with clear alternatives to the gang lifestyle.

“This Government has provided the Police with the resources to effect the strong presence in the community and likewise has implemented the Team Street Safe gang mediation programme to work with those caught up in the dead-end path of gang life.

“I am extremely grateful to the United States Consul General Robert Settje for all that the US Consulate Office has done to assist Bermuda as we research and implement best practice programmes and services with the sole aim of addressing the problems of anti-social behaviour and gang-related violence in Bermuda.

“The US Consulate assisted us in contacting Mr. Ron Doyle at the Institute for Inter-governmental Research via the US State Department to discuss the re-implementation of this programme into Bermuda’s schools.”

The programme “requires sworn law enforcement, corrections or probation personnel to instruct its curriculum”.

The intent is to “build bridges between children and criminal justice personnel and to leverage the knowledge and experience of these professionals in dealing with the consequences of violence, delinquency, and gang involvement”.

Four Community Action Team officers who volunteered to deliver the programme have also been trained and certified for this “important initiative”.

Police constables Marlon Jackman, Litanya Smith, Simon Joseph and Peter Philpott were commended for taking the initiative by volunteering.

They attended Families Training sessions in Brockton, Massachusetts from August 5-16 for training. Costs were split across various ministries including the Ministry of Education, Community, Culture and Sports, and the Ministry of National Security.

The reintroduction of the programme will mean children in primary schools, middle to senior schools will be exposed to the initiative.

“Today, we highlight the Victor Scott Primary School, where the P5 students became the first group to receive the GREAT Programme last Monday.

GREAT is also being delivered at Somerset Primary and West End Primary Schools and it is due to start at the Elliot Primary school later this week.

“It is our goal to have the programme in eight primary schools and to launch a middle school pilot before the end of the term.

“The fight against the destructive influences of the gang lifestyle cannot be confined to traditional law enforcement or simply reacting to a senseless act of violence.

“We are serious about prevention and the GREAT programme is a significant means by which to drive home to our young people that this community cares about them and is determined to equip them with the tools for making positive contributions to society.”