Levin, Stabenow: $137k Coming to Marquette County for Anti-Gang Initiative

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice has awarded $137,217 to Marquette County to implement a life-skills competency and anti-gang program for adolescents and their families, which will be led by Sheriff Michael Lovelace. The funding comes as part of the Department of Justice Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program.

“We have a responsibility to do everything we can to help our children make choices that avoid the destructiveness of gangs,” said Levin. “I am hopeful that these federal dollars will help Marquette County fight back against the scourge of gangs and the havoc they often wreak in our communities.”

“Our children need the support of parents, law enforcement, and the people of Marquette to resist gangs and the temptation to choose the wrong path early on in life,” said Stabenow. “This program brings together a diverse coalition of community leaders throughout Marquette County and the proper resources necessary to provide guidance and opportunities for students in high-crime neighborhoods and keep them on the right track.”

The primary goal of the G.R.E.A.T. program is to help students develop the skills necessary to steer clear of gang pressure, youth violence and other destructive activities. G.R.E.A.T. trains law enforcement officers at the state and local level to administer instructive classes to school-aged children. The G.R.E.A.T. program also coordinates with community and civic groups to help with the program.