CARSON SHERIFF CANDIDATES ALL SUPPORT COPS IN SCHOOLS

The five Carson City sheriff candidates said they would be committed to
keeping the Cops in Schools grant program, even though federal funding ends
next year.

The program provides almost $120,000 annually for two full-time deputies to
patrol schools in the Carson City School District, according to sheriff's
department records.

School administrators praise it as an effective tool. Last year, deputies
helped coordinate drug-sniffing dog searches in the schools.

One search at Carson High led to a seizure of less than an ounce of
marijuana. In the days after the seizure, 13 juveniles were arrested
throughout the city, including seven Carson High students. The arrests led
to stiffer school district penalties for students caught with drugs or alcohol.

Carson High principal Glen Adair said Monday he hoped the candidates "were
not just making campaign promises."

"I know all the candidates are men of their word," Adair said. "But I hope
they actually have the wherewithal and resources to keep it going. We have
found it to be so rewarding for us that we can't imagine not having it."

Next year, federal funds will pay for 75 percent of the program with the
school district and sheriff's department splitting 25 percent of the costs.

The cost to keep the program, even under a new grant, could go up
dramatically after that, officials said.

Each candidate wants more money for the Cops in Schools program and
supports drug searches in schools by dogs. Only Chief Deputy Scott Burau
opposes restoring the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program because
national data shows that it is ineffective.

"If federal funding dries out, we'll do everything we can to keep it
going," said Richard Mendoza, 52, a sheriff's detective. "I'm 100 percent
for the program."

Ken Furlong, 44, an investigator for the Nevada Division of Investigations,
said: "Funding is always going to be an issue, but it should never be the
stopper."

Wayne Fazzino, 49, an investigator for the attorney general, said he would
be more aggressive in seeking grant money if elected, charging that the
current administration does not take advantage of many of the grants now
offered. "I would invest a lot more time and effort in our schools,"
Fazzino said.

Deputy Bob Guimont, 35, said he wants the program expanded to three
officers and equip them with sport utility vehicles.

"They should have SUVs, and I'd love for them to have emergency medical
training and be prepared for an incident similar to what happened at
Columbine High," he said. "I would like to see those deputies with the
proper equipment to go against an armed assailant."

Burau, 49, said adding officers is not realistic, considering the unstable
future funding for the program.

"I was at a meeting with school district officials last week, and I was
asked if it was necessary to increase staffing," Burau said. "I said that
at the present time, that is not a necessity and the school administrators
agreed. More is not necessarily better.

"We will have to be prudent with our resources. And based on last week's
meeting, we will hold the line with two officers."

Candidates said they plan other ways to get the sheriff's agency more
involved in schools. Furlong wants cadet programs for students.

"Most of the candidates have talked about financial restrictions," Furlong
said. "But it doesn't cost you a dime to go up and talk to a child."

Fazzino and Guimont said they want to attract grant money to fund senior
volunteer programs that help the many retired peace officers who live in
the Carson City area.

"If we could get some grants going, we could involve more people," Fazzino
said. "It would be a great part-time job, and there is a lot of talent in
the Carson City area in regard to retired officers."

Guimont said he would use senior officers on lower priority calls, freeing
deputies to concentrate on major crimes. He also would like to start the
nationwide Gang Resistance Education and Training program in Carson City
schools.

Mendoza wants the new sheriff and his deputies go to the schools for more
assemblies and one-on-one contact with students.

"I'm not talking about another program where we are spending a lot of
money," he said. "This would be on a time-available basis. We could hold a
small assembly with the students or give a class, hand out brochures, try
to relate to the students and get us involved."

Mendoza, Fazzino, Guimont and Furlong are for restoring DARE, a nationwide
drug education program for fifth- and sixth-graders. It was dropped from
the sheriff's budget about five years ago because of funding.

About 80 percent of the nation's schools use the program, according to a
2001 study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse. The
study also concluded that the program "shows little evidence of any
extended impact."

"If DARE can save one child, then it is worth it," Fazzino said.

Burau disagreed.

"Based upon the national statistical data, I would have to question if that
(bringing back DARE) would be prudent at this time," Burau said. "Numbers
do not support that program.

"What worked years ago, programs such as DARE and GREAT, now you find a
major shift away from that," Burau said. "The shift now is into programs
like Cops in Schools as a result of the Columbine incident and other
tragedies. The thrust now is school safety."