NEW COURT RULING REMOVES FUNDING SOURCE FROM DARE PROGRAM

Crime-prevention programs such as DARE - Drug and Alcohol Resistance
Education - could take a hit in funding with a change in how citations
can be paid.

A new law became effective March 27 that repeals the ability of judges
to force a defendant or make a contribution to a crime-prevention
organization as an alternative to sentencing or judgment.

In a letter to municipal court judges, the Supreme Court of Wisconsin
stated, "Although the organizations that receive the funds are often
valuable to the community, this funding mechanism creates the
potential for inappropriate prosecutorial charging decisions, the
appearance of fundraising or favoritism by the judges and a general
perception by the public that favorable outcomes in criminal cases can
be bought by defendants who can afford them."

According to Pam Sharp, administrative manager for the Onalaska Police
Department, the forfeitures paid to DARE in Onalaska were a
significant part of the revenue sources. In addition to those funds,
the city has community fundraisers and applies for grants as other
sources of revenue.

"Right now, because of (the new law), we won't get those
contributions," Sharp said. "It has the potential to be a major blow
to the program. We'll have to be creative and put alternative
proposals before the finance committee and city council."

The La Crosse Police Department's DARE program has never received
money from defendants in La Crosse Municipal Court, said Capt. Rob
Abraham. The program is funded through public donations, money raised
from fundraisers and grants money, with the exception of the DARE
officer's wage, which is funded through the municipal budget.

The DARE program for municipalities outside Onalaska and La Crosse -
such as West Salem, Bangor and Holmen - are operated through the La
Crosse County Sheriff 's Department.

Sheriff's Capt. Mike Horstmann said the circuit courts had stopped the
contributions around 2004-05, so there was minimal impact on the
countywide program from the new law.

The DARE program with the county is financed through taxpayer dollars
allocated to the sheriff's department's budget.

The only DARE expense paid through the county budget is the salary of
one DARE officer. Horstmann said supplies are minimal. Funds needed
for textbooks and other materials are obtained through major
fundraisers such as the annual GREAT/DARE Chili Cook-off.