SBPD officers prepared to keep kids out of gangs

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Several South Bend police officers are now better prepared to keep kids safe.

The officers recently completed a new program called Gang Resistance Education and Training or GREAT.

The officials will now go to local schools to help prevent kids from getting involved with gangs or criminal activity.

"This is a time, especially in the middle school, where they are developing; where they can go toward  the bad side or the good side, if you will," said Patrol Officer Antonio Pacheco. "This is where you want to make an impact on them so hopefully they will choose the good, make the good choices."

The training course was funded through a federal grant.