GANG RESISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAM REACHES OUT TO STUDENTS IN CLASSROOM

Combatting the rise of gang activity has become an important priority for two members of the Cape Girardeau police department. To that end, Cpl. Charles Herbst and Officer Ike Hammonds have become adjunct faculty members, teaching a gang resistance program two days a week to seventh graders at L. J. Schultz Middle School.

The GREAT (Gang Resistance Education and Training) program has had more than 1,000 graduates from Cape Girardeau public and private schools in the three years since its introduction. Students at the middle school, who have just completed the nine-week course, will receive their own graduation certificates during their health classes this week.

As signs of gang activity increase in the area, such education at the middle school level is important, according to Officer Hammonds, in combatting a problem most people don't even know exists.

"People will drive down the street and see things and not even be aware that it's gang activity. But we see them and know it's there," he said.

Although the gang activity is infrequent and often very unorganized, there are, Hammonds said, at least 40 suspected gang members in the Cape Girardeau area belonging to two separate gangs -- the Gangster Disciples and CBG (the Cape Black Gangsters).

The gang activity is a small percentage of the crime in Cape Girardeau County, according to Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle, but it is still present, with a case coming through the prosecutor's office every month or two.

"Some people tell me that we don't have gangs in Cape Girardeau, but just gang wannabes. But a gang wannabe is just as dangerous as a fully indoctrinated gang member. It doesn't matter. They're still undesirable in Cape," Swingle said.

Much of the gang activity here Hammonds calls "spin-off" from other cities. Recently, he said, a member of the Gangster Disciples from Houston, Texas was arrested and extradited following an altercation with a local gang.

In addition, gang-related graffiti has been identified on buildings in the city. Tatoos of gang insignias are worn by suspected members.

"If it has web feet and feathers and quacks, it's a duck. If it looks, acts and sounds like a gang, it's a gang," Hammonds said.

Police instituted the GREAT program in Cape Girardeau schools as a prevention program aimed at reducing gang activity. The seventh graders learn about crime, victim rights, cultural sensitivity, conflict resolution and goal setting. Above all, the learn about responsibilty, according to Corporal Herbst.

John Eck, principal of Schultz, believes the program has been very effective and that students are demonstrating more responsible social behavior.

"The program takes accountability for behavior and puts it back on students, not on police or schools, but where it belongs," he said.

The GREAT program began in 1991 in Phoenix, Ariz., when police there were looking for a way to reduce gang activity and educate youth about the consequences of gang involvement.

With the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the program became national, with 2,500 police officers in 48 states teaching the course.

In the spring, the course will be taught at St. Vincent's, St. Mary's, and Trinity Lutheran schools.