DON'T DROP DARE

EDITOR: This is to Petaluma and all other cities that are thinking of
dropping the DARE program, and also the police departments who are thinking
the same thing.

I am so sorry to hear that you are even thinking of going this route.

You say that it ties up two policemen who could be out in the streets.

But, which is better, not only for the kids, but for the community? Having
policemen at the schools teaching about drugs, or these same policemen on
the streets trying to arrest the uneducated students for using the drugs.

You should have been at the graduation for the DARE program in Windsor last
year. Not only were the students fully informed, but they were very
enthusiastic about the whole concept. They also gave their officer a
standing ovation, and their rapport with this policeman was the type that
will carry a positive feeling about law enforcement over into adulthood.

I sincerely hope that all of you change your minds. We, as a society,
cannot afford to lose this great relationship between young people and law
officers in our community.

CONNIE BRUMLEY

Santa Rosa