CHILDRESS WANTS D.A.R.E. PROGRAM IN LUMBERTON

Hattiesburg police officer Mike Childress will trade badges to become chief
of the Lumberton Police Department, but he will not stop promoting D.A.R.E.
to school children.

"I would like to implement the D.A.R.E. program and work with the community
in general to build that rapport," said Childress, 43, who has been
Hattiesburg's lead D.A.R.E. officer for eight years. Lumberton's schools do
not have the D.A.R.E. program.

In addition to continuing teaching the D.A.R.E. program, Childress said he
plans on continuing to make Lumberton a safe city.

"I'm going to shoot for higher, bigger, better things," said Childress, who
is tentatively scheduled to be sworn in Feb. 23.

Former Chief Willie McDay will return to the Hattiesburg School District as
a resource officer.

Hattiesburg Police Chief David Wynn said he is happy for Childress but sad
to see him go.

"I wish him well. He has done a tremendous job as our lead D.A.R.E.
officer," Wynn said. "I don't know if anyone in the state is as devoted as
he is."

Childress started with the Hattiesburg Police Depart-ment in 1983.

Renea McLaurin-Causey will become the department's lead D.A.R.E. officer.