Borough students and police join efforts to take a stand against gangs

STANHOPE - Families continue to migrate from the cities to Sussex County to escape the stress and problems of city life, but unfortunately some of the tribulations more associated with urban living are making an appearance in the country. Drugs and alcohol abuse are common, and now according to some local law enforcement agencies, signs of gang activity are creeping into the area. Taking a proactive approach, Sergeant Robert Schellhammer of the Stanhope Police Department has been instructing sixth graders at the Valley Road School in a program called Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT). According to the sergeant, the program combines the efforts of police officers, educators, and community leaders along with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Fire Arms to educate children to the dangers of gangs. The program, which started in Arizona in 1991, was implemented in Stanhope last year at the urging of Police Chief Steve Pittigher. Schellhammer explained that the project’s primary goals are to discourage teenagers from becoming gang members, preventing violence and criminal activity, and developing a positive relationship between the young people and law enforcement officers. The course consists of 13 weeks of interactive classes given to all students. The program recently completed its first course. Schellhammer said he uses various modes of learning techniques, including role playing and discussion, to get the message across to the students. “We talk about the truth about gangs,” he said. The program defines a gang as a group of people who have a common name, identifying signs, colors and symbols, and who participate in criminal activity as a group of individually. Sergeant Schellhammer noted that the difference between groups and gangs is the involvement in criminal activity. Schellhammer declined to be more specific about signs of gang activity in the area, except to say, “it’s around.” He explained that there have been indications of recruitment and “tagging,” the graffiti identifying gang names. In addition to informing young students to the dangers of gangs, the GREAT program also teaches them how to make the right decisions and how these decisions can influence their future. “A good thing about the program is that it is the basis for life decisions. They learn to give thought to the problem, review all their options, and evaluate the situation to reach their goal,” said Schellhammer. The Valley Road School recently held a graduation to present completion certificates to 64 participating students. The students’ responses were very positive to the course. “I learned a lot about alcohol and drugs. I didn’t think anything like that would be in our county; I was really surprised,” said Nick DeLorenzo. “I will tell all my friends not to do drugs and get a job so you can keep busy.” Other students agreed the programs was an eye-opener. “At first I thought I knew everything about violence and drugs, but I learned a lot more than I knew,” said Jessica Gorman. “I didn’t think anything like that could happen in our school or our town, and then I realized it could happen anywhere.”