Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato today announced the continued growth of the G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training) Program within the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor and partnering county law enforcement departments. G.R.E.A.T. is a school-based, law enforcement officer-instructed classroom curriculum designed to prevent delinquency, violence and gang membership.

“Law enforcement must take proactive measures to prevent the spread of crime and violence,” stated Prosecutor Coronato. “The G.R.E.A.T. Program does that for those we hold most precious – our children. I commend the members of my Office and participating departments for working tirelessly to bring the program to so many of our schools.”

Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Anthony V. Pierro and Sergeant Anthony Carrington spear headed the push to involve the Prosecutor’s Office with the program in 2011. The program has since spread throughout Ocean County.

In the coming weeks, the Lakewood Police Department – under the directive of Officers Alex Guzman and Pete La’Rosa, New Jersey Parole Officers, and Detective Sandra Rodriguez of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office will graduate the entire seventh grade class of Lakewood Middle School. In another district, Detective Renee Nauyoks of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office has been teaching students at Toms River Intermediate East, West and Hooper Avenue Elementary School.

On Tuesday, April 30th at 8:45am, Assistant Prosecutor Jamie L. Schron, Toms River Police Officer Pamela Slavin, Ocean County Sheriff’s Officer William Zyckowski and fifth grade students at the Walnut Street School in Toms River will celebrate their successful completion and graduation of the G.R.E.A.T. program.

Information about the G.R.E.A.T. program can be found at www.great-online.org. [TLS]