G.R.E.A.T. Resources
Federal Partners
- U.S. Department of Justice - Bureau of Justice Assistance
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
- U.S. Department of Justice - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
- Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR)
Training Sites
- G.R.E.A.T. National Training Site
- Southwest Regional Training Site
- Midwest Regional Training Site
- Northeast Regional Training Site
- Western Regional Training Site
Vendors
Best Expression21602 North Third AvenuePhoenix, AZ 85027 Phone: (800) 931-8931 Fax: (623) 582-5554 Contact: Alex Escamilla Web site: www.bestexpression.com E-mail: alex@bestexpression.com |
Holsen Inc Merchandising655 North Biscayne River DriveMiami, FL 33169 Phone: (305) 769-2459 Fax: (305) 769-3077 Contact: Darryl Holsendolph Web site: www.holseninc.com Email: callus@ibmke.com |
Creative Impressions6101A East 18th StreetVancouver, WA 98661 Phone: (800) 654-0724 Fax: (360) 694-0527 Contact: Chad Hamberg Web site: www.creativeimpnw.com Email: cimktg@aol.com |
Industries for the Blind445 South Curtis RoadWest Allis, WI 53214 Phone: (414) 778-3040 Fax: (414) 778-3041 Contact: Carolyn Dahse Web site: www.quality-resource.com Email: johnh@quality-resource.com |
Good News Gifts Inc.Post Office Box 300Marmora, NJ 08223 Phone: (610) 283-5248 Fax: (609) 399-7708 Contact: Jack Hamilton Web site: www.goodnewsgifts.com Email: goodnewsgiftsinc@aol.com |
Quality Resource Group2845 Midwest Drive, Suite 103Onalaska, WI 54650 Phone: (877) 897-1050 Fax: (609) 779-9380 Contact: Kris Hess Web site:www.quality-resource.com Email: infolc@quality-resource.com |
Treadway Graphics/Forrester-Smith1401 Cannon Circle, Suite 2Faribault, MN 55021 Phone: (800) 658-7063 Fax: (888) 334-0437 Contact: Jay Treadway Web site: www.treadwaygraphics.com/grt_home.html Email: jtreadway@treadwaygraphics.com |
Vanguard Direct/PA Division1155 Phoenixville Pike, Suite 101West Chester, PA 19380 Phone: (800) 451-1176, ext. 26 Fax: (610) 344-9102 Contact: Hugh J. Friel Web site:www.vanguarddirect.com Email: info@vanguarddirect.com |
Vanguard Direct/
519 Eighth Avenue, 23rd Floor |
Vanguard Direct/CT Division41 Hammer Mill RoadRocky Hill, CT 06067 Phone: (860) 563-1054, ext. 101 Fax: (860) 563-1076 Contact: John Tuozzo Web site:www.vanguarddirect.com Email: info@vanguarddirect.com |
Grants
For the current year grant information please visit the:
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)
Gangs
Background
Gang growth and gang violence have seen dramatic increases across the nation during the past decade. Media coverage of gang violence across the United States has enlightened viewers nationwide. Movies such as “Training Day,” “Blood In, Blood Out,” and “American Me,” have brought greater notoriety to the gang scene. Communities across the countrycontinue to search for answers to the ever increasing gang problem spreading across the UnitedStates. There are no simple solutions to this problem. Communities choosing to ignore or deny the existence of gangs will face a much tougher battle in the future.The Orange County Sheriff’s Office first identified emerging gang problems in Orange County in 1990. Drive-by shootings and other violent crimes wereon the rise, culminating with an innocent bystander being shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in West Orange County. As a result, the Sheriff’s Gang Enforcement Unit was established.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office established a pro-active stance in forming the Gang Enforcement Unit. Today, it continues to aggressively self initiate investigations involving gang related crimes. This unit has been the only full time gang unit in Central Florida since the early 1990’s. Since its inception, the Gang Enforcement Unit has been on the cutting edge in the fight against gangs. This aggressive enforcement posture has helped our community create a climate in which it is difficult for gangs to flourish and grow.
The Street Terrorism Enforcement Act of 1990 was enacted into law in Florida as a result of an increase of violent crimes perpetrated by criminal street gangs. This law enables prosecutors to enhance the penalties of crimes committed by gang members. Despite much debate amongst school, government, and law enforcement administrators in Central Florida, this county does have an identified gang presence. The emerging gang problems are being dealt with very effectively by the Sheriff’s Gang Enforcement Unit.
Since identifying and targeting known problem areas and key gang members, the Gang Unit has made a tremendous impact on drive-by shootings and violent crimes involving gangs. This impact is a result of the zero tolerance of gangs and the proactive stance taken by the Sheriff’s Office on the gang issue. In addition, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Gang Enforcement Unit gives presentations to teachers, students, civic groups, and other law enforcement groups each year to increase the awareness of gangs.
What is the description of a gang member?
- Usually male.
- School dropout or truant; poor student who does not like school and who does not adapt well to school.
- Negative contact with law enforcement.
- Does not receive adequate family attention.
- Victim of abuse or neglect, and/or parental brutality.
- Economically and/or socially deprived backgrounds.
- Negative role models.
- Very streetwise.
- Antisocial, aggressive, and hostile.
Pandillas
Trasfondo
El crecimiento y la violencia de pandillas han aumentado alrededor de la nación en esta última década. La cobertura por los medios de comunicación de la violencia de pandillas en los Estados Unidos ha entrado a hogares en cada esquina de la nación. Películas tales como “Training Day”, “Blood In, Blood Out”, y “American Me” han traído mas reconocimiento a las a estas agrupaciones. Ciudades en búsqueda de soluciones al problema que las pandillas presentan necesitan un mejor entendimiento de las causas y efectos de estos grupos y como erradicarlas de la zona antes de que se conviertan en un problema crónico.La unidad anti-pandillas de la Oficina del Alguacil del Condado de Orange fue establecida en enero de 1990, como resultado de los problemas causados por pandillas. Estos incluían un aumento en balaceras y otros crímenes violentos que culminaron en la muerte de un peatón inocente que murió a balazos en la parte oeste del Condado de Orange en enero de 1990.
La Oficina del Alguacil del Condado de Orange tomo una postura pro-activa al formar la unidad anti-pandillas. La unidad consiste de investigadores, un analista, y dos supervisores, todos dedicados a tiempo completo a la investigación de crímenes cometidos por estos grupos. Desde su inicio, la unidad anti-pandillas ha estado a la vanguardia en los esfuerzos en contra de estas peligrosas agrupaciones. Esta postura agresiva ha ayudado a que nuestra comunidad cree un ambiente difícil para que las pandillas se originen y desarrollen.
La ley contra el terrorismo callejero de 1990 fue pasada como resultado al aumento de crimenes violentos perpetrados por pandillas callejeras. A pesar de el debate entre administradores en la Florida central, nuestro condado ha identificado la presencia de pandillas. Estos problemas de pandillas estan siendo enfrentados efectivaments por la unidad anti-pandillas de la Oficina del Alguacil.
Desde que se comenzaron a identificar los problemas y actividades de las pandillas y sus miembros, se ha logrado disminuir la cantidad de balaceras y crímenes violentos cometidos por estas organizaciones. Esta disminución es el resultado de las políticas y las acciones pro-activas de la unidad creada para fiscalizar a estos grupos. Asimismo, ofrecen presentaciones a maestros, grupos cívicos, y otras entidades policíacas cada año para aumentar el conocimiento de pandillas en la comunidad.
¿Cómo se identifica a un miembro de pandillas?
Las siguientes son características comunes de miembros de pandillas:- Mayormente son hombres.
- Abandonan sus estudios o son estudiantes mediocres a quien no le gusta ir a la escuela ni se adapta bien a ella.
- Suelen tener malas relaciones con la policía.
- Reciben poca atención por parte de la familia.
- Son víctima de abuso verbal o desatendido por sus padres.
- Están económicamente y/o socialmente necesitados.
- Tienen modelos de conducta negativos.
- Tiene malicia para lidiar y sobrevivir en las calles.
- Suelen ser antisociales, agresivos y/hostiles.
Additional Resources
Orange Count Sheriff's Office
www.ocso.com
Miami-Dade School Police Website
http://police.dadeschools.net/greatProgram/videos.asp
International E-Z Up, Inc.
1601 Iowa Avenue Riverside, CA 92507Phone: (800) 457-4233, ext. 2316
Fax: (800) 810-8775
Contact: Heidi Carter
www.ezup.com
HeidiCarter@ezup.com
AwanaGames™ Awana Clubs International
Post Office Box 947Streamwood, IL 60107-0947
Phone: (866) 292-6227
Fax: (877) 292-6232
www.awana.org
Note: AwanaGames™ is a trademark of Awana Clubs International. Awana is an independent organization not directly affiliated with G.R.E.A.T. AwanaGames™ are recommended for use in G.R.E.A.T. Summer Programs. Awana is not a licensed G.R.E.A.T. vendor and does not produce G.R.E.A.T.-branded products.
Student Handbooks
Click here to sign into your GREAT Officer Resources in order to order your GREAT Student Handbooks.
Graduation Certificates
Download order form
Netsmartz
Netsmartz by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and Boys & Girls Clubs of America internet safety website - www.Netsmartz.orgResources
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U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance -
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Law Enforcement Training Center -
U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives -
Institute for Intergovernmental Research