Press Release
Street Smarts Presentations Tops 30,000 Students
For Immediate Release
District of Rhode Island
PROVIDENCE, RI – Approximately 200 seventh grade students at the Hugh B. Bain Middle School in Cranston today spent the morning today engaged in an interactive discussion about gangs and street violence during a presentation of the United States Attorney’s Office’s Street Smarts program. Street Smarts, created and presented by Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Richard W. Rose, is an interactive, anti-violence program that delivers a powerful, impactful message to students to stay away from gangs, street violence and guns.
Today’s presentation marked a significant milestone. The Hugh B. Bain Middle School’s seventh grade class participation in the program pushed the total number of Rhode Island middle and high school students who have participated in the program since its inception in 2006 to over 30,000 students.
While specifically aimed at the state’s urban core, Street Smarts is a powerful message adaptable to students and teenagers regardless of their setting. AUSA Rose delivers a sometimes light and entertaining, yet often times pointed and serious reality check of the difficult and impactful decisions teenagers are faced with every day on the streets of their neighborhoods and within their circles of friends. The presentation is based, in part, upon his own personal experiences growing up on the streets of South Providence.
“The Street Smarts program and Assistant United States Attorney Richard Rose effectively communicate to teenagers the negative impact gang activity, street violence and guns could have on them for the rest of their lives,” said Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch. “The centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s crime reduction strategy is the reinvigoration of Project Safe Neighborhoods, including preventative measures to keep youth on track. Street Smarts is designed to reach our youth with an impactful and lasting message of the adverse consequences of gangs, street violence and guns.”
School administrators or community-based youth organizations seeking additional information about the Street Smarts program can contact AUSA Richard Rose at Richard.Rose@usdoj.gov .
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Contact
Jim Martin
(401) 709-5357
Updated November 15, 2017
Topics
Project Safe Neighborhoods
Community Outreach
Component