POLICE UNVEIL NEW DARE VEHICLE

NORWICH -- City police Friday announced the addition of a Jeep
Cherokee to the Norwich Police DARE Unit.

The vehicle was originally forfeited police through court action as a
result of an arrest and seizure from a drug dealer. The car is a
black four-wheel drive 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo.

The vehicle was completely refurbished with custom DARE markings and
show quality painted "flames" for use with the department's DARE
prevention classes. The expert work and necessary coordination of the
City of Norwich Fleet Maintenance Superintendent Walter Nelson, and
two of the city's mechanics, Robert Nash and John Williams, was
instrumental in the preparation of this vehicle for use by the DARE
program police officers.

"Our DARE officers will use this vehicle as an integral part of our
DARE youth prevention program. Our goal is to assist our young people
in resisting drugs, substance abuse, and violence," said Norwich
Police Chief Louis J. Fusaro Sr. "Such vehicles are marked and used
by the DARE Officers to promote positive interactions with the youth
of our community. They are employed to show them that what drug
dealers have obtained by illegal means is ultimately not theirs. It
serves as a reminder that there are serious consequences for their
illegal activity."

The work, Fusaro said, could not have been accomplished if not for
the support of civic-minded corporate sponsors.

Cierra Signs custom painted the flames on the vehicle and Camaro
Signs completed the custom graphics and lettering. Others sponsors
included Whelen Engineering, Wal-Mart and Dream Machine Classics Car
Club.