Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

DETROIT— In a longstanding tradition between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Detroit Tigers, today marked the annual Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Day at Comerica Park, the home of the Tigers. Today’s baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians signifies a 24-year partnership.

 

“By dedicating a game annually to the G.R.E.A.T. program, the Detroit Tigers Organization demonstrates the team’s continual commitment to Michigan’s children,” said James Deir, special agent in charge of the Detroit Field Division. “ATF would also like to thank the Detroit Police Department and the Lansing Police Department for their enduring support of the G.R.E.A.T. program.  Most importantly, we would like to thank the students for taking the pledge to live a life free of the negative influences of street gangs.”

 

Approximately 300 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.

 

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 .