DRUG DEALER'S CAR WILL BE PUT TO USE BY POLICE

Carlson Auto Body Is Transforming Vehicle into New DARE
Unit

JACKSON - Vehicles seized in drug crimes are being used to serve a
worthwhile purpose. That's what it's all about for the Jackson Police
Department and Carlson Auto Body, a 30-year-old business on Bennetts
Mills Road.

The police department and the business have come together to
recondition a seized vehicle which will be used for the Jackson
School District's DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Educa-tion) program.

DARE teaches youngsters how to stay away from drugs and stay out of
trouble.

Carl Carlson, the owner of Carlson Auto Body, said he previously
refurbished an old police car as the first DARE vehicle in Jackson.

"We painted that one when the car was done. That one was purple and
green and it had small colored flames going through it," he said.

Now the police have supplied a 1985 Mustang coupe to be turned into a
DARE car. The vehicle had been impounded during a drug arrest,
Carlson said.

The car is undergoing a transformation in the auto body
shop.

"Dwayne, from Outrageous Mustangs, has some pretty outrageous
Mustangs. They're doing the motor work. Downs Ford in Toms River
donated the motor. [From there] we're going to do all of the design
work and all that stuff on the car once the car is back from getting
the motor in. They are leaving the designs up to us. It will be
something that will really [catch the eye of] the kids."

Carlson said he is hoping someone will donate a hood, possibly a
raised hood, for the new DARE car.

There is a chance the car will have a final coat of Harlican, a paint
which changes color as someone moves around the car.

"A couple of us work on [the car] late at night," Carlson said.
"Right now the mechanic gave the police a list of some things they
need for the car. All of this is done with donations. Sometimes the
business people in town help out by donating needed items. Someone
will donate tires. Someone else will donate money for some wheels or
do something like that."

Carlson said his portion of the costs exceed $2,500.

"That's how much time and money we put in," he said. "If somebody
else would like to chip in and help the police out, I'm sure the
town, the police and all the children would be really happy and
appreciative."

Jackson police Sgt. Ed Bennett said, "This car will be used the same
way the first DARE car was used, in parades, at shows and for
demonstrations. It will be used to get the kids' attention.
Basically, cops can have cool cars like the drug dealers, [too]."

Bennett said the new DARE car will have a full sound
system.

"It was donated by Vinnie from Tronx," he said. "They're in Bayville,
they did the first DARE car and most likely they're going to do the
second [DARE car sound system]."

The Jackson municipal alliance gave money for wheels and
tires.

Bennett said the DARE car is basically a big advertisement that tells
youngsters, "Hey, listen. If you take the right track you can have
whatever the drug dealers have and still be cool."

He said the new DARE vehicle will be a work of art when it is done.