Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 03/10/2009

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Terry Menshek - (707) 565-3099 District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua – (707) 565-3098

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

GANG PREVENTION PROGRAM EXPANDED TO REACH PETALUMA YOUTH

Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced that his office partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of Petaluma and the Petaluma Police Department to conduct the first-ever after school anti-gang program conducted in Petaluma. The program is entitled “Gang Resistance Education and Training” (G.R.E.A.T). This nationally recognized and highly successful anti-gang program is an innovation of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives developed in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the National Association of Police Athletic Leagues. These partnerships encourage positive relationships among the community, parents, schools, and law enforcement officers.  The Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office is the first DA’s Office in the nation trained to teach this program.  

District Attorney Passalacqua said, “The G.R.E.A.T. Program helps children and their parents avoid the danger and personal tragedy that always comes from involvement in gangs. I am very pleased to be able to partner with the Boys and Girls Club of Petaluma and the Petaluma Police Department to bring such a successful gang prevention program to the youth of Petaluma.”

Boys & Girls Clubs of Petaluma CEO David Solo said, “Boys & Girls Clubs of Petaluma is grateful for the opportunity to work with the District Attorney’s Office and the Petaluma Police Department to bring the GREAT program to Round Walk Village Clubhouse members. This is only the start of a terrific collaboration and partnership to bring the GREAT program to Boys & Girls Clubs of Petaluma members! A special thank you to District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua for his leadership and vision in being at the forefront of gang prevention programs and services for youth.”

The G.R.E.A.T. program was conducted at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Petaluma Round Walk Village Clubhouse, located at 745 North McDowell Avenue in Petaluma.  The course was held Wednesday, January 21, 2009, through Wednesday, March 4, 2009.  During the reception that followed completion of the course, seventeen local youth received certificates of completion, then everyone enjoyed pizza and refreshments.

This course equips the teenagers with the personal skills they need to resist involvement in gangs.  They were also taught life skills including controlling anger, respecting others, dealing with peer pressure and setting realistic goals. Several of the graduates of the G.R.E.A.T. program made comments at the March 4th graduation event, such as: “I learned to respect others the way you want to be respected.” “I learned not to bully people.”  “I learned to think before you act.”