KIDS SEE OFFICERS IN ACTION

Sirens blared, police dogs sniffed, a law enforcement helicopter came
in for a landing and "low crawl" officers wearing camouflage dropped
from the trees and popped up from hiding places on the athletic field
at North Davis Elementary on Thursday morning. A few students had
their wrists briefly placed in handcuffs.

But it wasn't any sort of emergency or drug bust. Rather, it was a Red
Ribbon Week demonstration for the benefit of students, put on by YONET
- - Yolo County's narcotics enforcement team - the Davis Police
Department, the California Department of Justice and other law
enforcement agencies.

It was an opportunity for students to meet officers and observe their
gear firsthand, and hear the message that they shouldn't get involved
with drugs.

"Our students saw the canine unit locating illegal substances. They
explored the helicopter, motorcycles, vans, tanks, trucks and cars
that are used in law enforcement," said North Davis Principal Judy
Davis. "And they practiced ways to say 'no' to strangers" - part of a
stranger awareness/child safety presentation.

Fourth-graders from teacher Allen Felton's class were impressed.
Student Rose Driscoll said, "The dog was my favorite. It was amazing
that they trained it to find drugs hidden in a bag, a car or even cement."

Another student, Derek Pleasants, said, "It was cool that they let us
go on the cars, the helicopter and the vans. They let us use the loud
speakers, flash the lights and turn on the sirens."

Student Maia Polis said, "We learned a lot of people work to keep us
safe from drugs and other bad stuff."

Classmate Leigh Erskine said, "They taught us to back away from
strangers and yell to let other people know if you are in trouble."

Another student, Brydon Granfield, was impressed "(by) the way the
camouflage guys came out of the trees and off the ground. We didn't
even know they were there."

Classmate Fernanda deLeon said that at the end of the assembly, "The
helicopter spun around and dipped over at us to say goodbye. We were
chanting 'Say No! to drugs.' "

Special Agent Peggy Rodriguez of the state Department of Justice's
Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement said she hopes the message will reach
parents as well.

"All moms and dads need to know how important it is to educate kids
about the danger of drugs," Rodriguez said.