KIWANIS REACHING OUT TO KIDS WITH FLASHY D.A.R.E. CAR

WEBSTER -- One of the first steps in teaching children about the
dangers of drugs and alcohol is to get their attention.

Now, thanks to the Webster Kiwanis Club, the Webster Police
Department has a new attention grabber. It's a red 1997 Pontiac
Firebird convertible with flashy graphics.

"They'll take it right to the schools, to parades, community events
around town, so the parents and the kids will see it," said Kiwanis
President Tom Servis. "Hopefully the younger kids will get an
interest in the car and go up to the police officers that are around
it and ask questions about the D.A.R.E. program and get them more involved."

The D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program, started in
Los Angeles in 1983, is designed to give children the skills needed
to avoid involvement in drugs, gangs, and violence.

D.A.R.E. is now offered in 75 percent of school districts nationwide
and in more than 43 countries. Instructors, usually police officers,
present a series of classroom lessons for children in kindergarten
through 12th grade.

This year, 600 students in Webster completed the D.A.R.E. program.
Webster's officers are Pete Scorsone and Debra Hart.

The car made its official debut at the town's Memorial Day Parade
where children who had graduated from the program marched alongside
the vehicle.

"The kids were very excited. You could tell that they were proud to
be part of the program," said Scorsone.

The car will in the St. Rita Festival Parade, starting at 2 p.m. today.

The hood of the car is decorated with a cartoon drawing of Daren the
lion, the D.A.R.E. program mascot. "Attitude is everything," is
written across the front of the car and American flags are painted on
the sides.

Members of the Kiwanis Club spent $9,500 to buy the car from a Boston
dealer, have some minor body work done and have the graphics applied.

If you go

The new Webster Police D.A.R.E car is scheduled to be part of the St.
Rita Festival Parade at 2 p.m. today. The parade will start at the
West Webster Fire Department, 1051 Gravel Road, head south on Gravel,
then turn west on Ridge Road.