KEEP OFFICER IN DARE

I am a sixth-grade teacher at Curran Middle School and feel fortunate to be
involved with the D.A.R.E. program provided by the Bakersfield Police
Department. In addition to learning about the dangers of various types of
drugs, our students learn ways to say "no," self-esteem, consequences and
about media messages. It is a program they genuinely enjoy and look forward
to every Monday.

We have four terrific D.A.R.E. officers, three of whom are new to the
program. The fourth, officer Jack Smith, is a six-year D.A.R.E. veteran
with nearly 20 years experience with the Police Department. He is a
remarkable person, whom the students adore. They're disappointed if he's
not in the room when they arrive and cheer when he comes in. They beg him
to eat lunch with them - and he does! If you've been to a D.A.R.E. dance or
to Fright Night, you are seeing more of Officer Jack's work.

Unfortunately, this will be officer Jack's last season as a D.A.R.E.
officer and perhaps as a police officer. D.A.R.E. officers are asked to go
back on patrol after a certain number of years, but officer Jack's knee
injuries will prevent him from doing this.

Officer Jack has found his niche as a D.A.R.E. officer. Let's not put this
extraordinary man out to pasture just yet.

Kimberly Baker, Bakersfield