To deter today's youngsters from becoming tomorrow's gangsters, members of the Ocean County Prosecutor's office are taking their anti-violence message directly to elementary classrooms.

5th grade students at the Walnut Street Elementary School in Toms River display their certificates of completion
5th grade students at the Walnut Street Elementary School in Toms River
display their certificates of completion. (Ocean County Prosecutor's Office)
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The entire fifth grade at Walnut Street Elementary in Toms River - some 200 in all - just completed the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program organized by county Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato. Graduation day was March 20.

The six-week G.R.E.A.T. program has functioned in the county since 2011. Law enforcement professionals offer classroom curriculum designed to prevent delinquency and violence and to dispel the lure of gang affiliation, Coronato said.

"The G.R.E.A.T. Program does that for those we hold most precious - our children," Coronato said. "I commend the members of my Office and participating departments for working tirelessly to bring the program to so many of our area schools."

Detective Sergeant Renee Nauyoks and Detective Sandra Rodriguez of Coronato's office have brought the program to schools in Lakewood as well as Toms River Intermediate East and West and Hooper Avenue Elementary, in collaboration with township police in each community.

Next on the list in Toms River are West Dover and Washington Street Elementary.

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