Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

DETROIT—The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Detroit Tigers continue a long standing tradition of rewarding kids at the annual Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Day at Comerica Park.  Today’s baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and the Oakland Athletics signifies a 25-year partnership.

Approximately 250 students from the Detroit and Lansing Public School Districts attended the game, dressed in their G.R.E.A.T. t-shirts to affirm their effort to avoid gangs and youth violence. 

“The Detroit Tigers Organization has been a supportive and committed partner of Michigan’s kids and the G.R.E.A.T. program,” said James Deir, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Division.  “The program’s success wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of the Detroit Police Department, Lansing Police Department, and most importantly, the students who take the pledge to live a life free of the negative influences of street gangs.”

With the support of specially trained law enforcement officers, G.R.E.A.T. students learn to set goals, resist peer pressure, respect differences, resolve conflicts, and understand how gangs can negatively influence their quality of life.  The 13-week curriculum also teaches students at the elementary and middle school level the importance of becoming responsible members of their communities.  Since its inception, G.R.E.A.T. has graduated more than 7 million students.

For more information on the program, visit G.R.E.A.T. at http://www.great-online.org .

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