Behind the Badge
The Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership, commonly known as GRIP, has come a long way.
Lt. Nathan Wilson of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department can confirm that.
Wilson, chief of police services for Stanton, was the first OCSD deputy to join GRIP when the program began 11 years ago with two schools in Anaheim and two in Stanton.
Law enforcement officers from various agencies gather in front of GRIP students during a field trip to Ford’s regional headquarters in Irvine on Dec. 7.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Wilson, along with Anaheim PD Officer Ed Arevalo, Senior Assistant District Attorney Tracy Miller, and two civilians, used a multipronged approach to keep kids from joining gangs.
On Dec. 7, Miller, Wilson, and Arevalo were among dozens of county law enforcement professionals and deputy DAs who stood in an auditorium-sized room at Ford’s regional headquarters in Irvine as 130 GRIP kids from 14 schools were rewarded with a tour of the facility, along with a few other surprises, including the unveiling of a student-designed vehicle wrap for the OC GRIP car.
Anaheim Police Chief Jorge Cisneros and Sgt. Brennan Leininger, both right, give high-fives to GRIP students as they arrive at Ford regional headquarters in Irvine.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
To earn the opportunity, the students had to meet certain challenges, such as having no unexcused absences, criminal activity or arrests, violence or weapons on campus, and no gang-related clothing, writing, or behavior.
Ford has been hosting GRIP students and law enforcement for the past seven years and is among a vast array of organizations that partner with GRIP.
GRIP students get high-fives from OCSD deputies as they arrive at Ford regional headquarters in Irvine as a reward for good behavior.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
“I knew it was a good thing,” said Wilson, looking back to GRIP’s early days. “I knew it would grow. I never imagined it would be something this large, and it’s incredible to see … the buy-in from outside (organizations) that are willing to support this … like having Ford come in and do this. That’s something that is very impressive.”
Virtually every one of the 150 workers at the Ford facility volunteered to mentor a group or an individual child.
Orange County Senior Assistant District Attorney Tracy Miller talks to the kids attending the GRIP event at Ford regional headquarters in Irvine.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
“The Ford Motor Company has closed down their facility for you, to make a difference in your life,” Anaheim Police Chief Jorge Cisneros told the students. “They are talking to you about their education, the work that they do. Hopefully you understand that with hard work, you get to accomplish things in life.”
The Orange PD works with about 30 outside organizations, having the greatest number of community partners of any GRIP program.
GRIP students watch as OCSD Deputy Gerry McCann acts as a decoy for OCSD K9 Ketel as Deputy Kent Carpenter gives a demonstration.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
“Solving and dealing with gang problems can’t be just a police function or a district attorney function,” Orange PD Chief Tom Kisela said. “It takes community stakeholders. It takes the community to come together and work together to help these kids and give them the opportunity.”
OCSD Deputy Ryan Reneau demonstrates the tracking capabilities of his K9 partner, Max, to GRIP students.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Fullerton Interim Police Chief Bob Dunn, right, joins other law enforcement personnel as they welcome GRIP students as they arrive at Ford regional headquarters in Irvine.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Anaheim Police Chief Jorge Cisneros talks to the students during the GRIP event at Ford’s regional headquarters in Irvine.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
GRIP students take a look at the Ford SUV paint designs entered by students on display at Ford regional headquarters in Irvine. One design was chosen and applied on a Land Rover that was later unveiled at the event.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas addresses the students at Ford’s regional headquarters in Irvine during the GRIP rewards event.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Alexa Caudillo, 10, of Glen Yermo Elementary School in Mission Viejo (center, in gray sweatshirt) watches as the Ford Land Rover Defender 110 is unveiled with her paint design during the GRIP gathering. Students submitted designs for an SUV paint design contest and Alexa’s was chosen.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Students from Glen Yermo Elementary School in Mission Viejo gather with OCSD deputies in front of the Ford Land Rover that displays 10-year-old Alexa Caudillo’s design.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
