SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A new bicycling program is designed to provide students in Sacramento with an alternative to drugs and gangs. On Wednesday afternoon, officers rolled out mountain bikes, helmets and knee pads for the after-school program at Goethe Middle School in Sacramento. George Martinez, a school resource officer, came up with the idea for the program to give students structure outside of class. The Sacramento Police Department made it a part of the Gang Resistance Education and Training, or GREAT, program.
Sgt. Matt Young, a spokesman for the Sacramento police, said the program gives young people the opportunity to build confidence, maintain physical fitness and interact with positive role models.
"What we've found, especially with these kids that have turned to gangs, that have turned to drugs or this violent lifestyle, is that at some point in their lives they were missing a positive role model," Young said.
High school student Anthony Short said this is the first sport he has ever signed up for. "It means a lot to me because at least I have something to do after school," he said. "It will keep me a little out of trouble." The program is also available at Luther Burbank High School. The students practice three times a week and will compete on a regular basis.
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