LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Fifth graders at Stonestreet Elementary School learned life lessons from Louisville Metro Police Department that they can use in middle school and beyond. 

What You Need To Know

  • The G.R.E.A.T. program teaches students how to avoid participation in violence, bullying and gangs

  • The program is led by the LMPD Foundation

  • It is an opportunity for LMPD to build trust and relationships with students 

  • Participants receive a certificate and toys upon completion

The G.R.E.A.T., which stands for Gang Resistance Education and Training, program teaches students how to avoid participation in violence, bullying and gangs.

Stonestreet Elementary fifth grader Leland Reichardt earned the LMPD pin that’s exclusive to G.R.E.A.T. graduates. 

“In the G.R.E.A.T. program, we’ve learned about certain things like staying away from gangs, staying away from drugs, not being a bystander, not bullying,” Reichardt said.

The LMPD lead and sponsor the G.R.E.A.T. program. Commonwealth Credit Union is another program sponsor. 

Over six weeks, officers taught Stonestreet Elementary’s fifth grade class the dangers of drugs, gangs and weapons. 

“The goal is to save every child we can from making a bad decision and at the end of the day, I feel like 100% of these kids are successful with everything they learn,” said Tony Sacra, the LMPD community engagement unit sergeant. 

Sacra said it’s a teaching moment for the students and a chance to build trust and strong relationships for the LMPD. 

“It makes me feel great. I mean, the relationship you’re building right now is lasting,” Sacra said.

Sacra served as an SRO officer at Valley High School for three years. 

Every participant received a t-shirt, toys and a certificate. The names of eleven student were randomly selected to win a new bike. (Spectrum News 1/Ashley N. Brown)
Every participant received a t-shirt, toys and a certificate. The names of eleven student were randomly selected to win a new bike. (Spectrum News 1/Ashley N. Brown)

G.R.E.A.T. graduates received a certificate, gift bag and life skills. 

“Now I know lots of things that can help me later in life,” Reichardt said. “I kind of feel sad too, because I really like doing this and I kind of want to do this throughout like the year.”

Reichardt is one of 11 graduates who won a special gift through a participation raffle.  

“Me and my friends are very lucky to win bikes. It’s awesome,” Sacra said.

He says the greatest gift is the one they all received. 

“I know a bike is a big gift, but like I think the experience and like learning about all these things is probably the best gifts that I can get,” Reichardt said.

Reichardt says he’s been sharing all of the great things he’s learned with his little brother, who is in second grade. 

The program rotates between elementary and middle schools. 

This is the first time G.R.E.A.T. has been completed since the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the program in 2020. 

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