DONATED VEHICLE DRESSED UP FOR DARE OFFICERS

Over the years, township resident Kip Higgins has been impressed with the
township's Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) in the schools.

This year, after years of watching his four children successfully complete
the program, Mr. Higgins of Belle Mead Garage did something to show his
appreciation -- donating a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee to the Hillsborough
Police Department for its DARE program.

"It's a good program, each of my children got a lot out of it," Mr. Higgins
said. "I decided to give them something different from what they had."

Michael Krachun Jr. of Amwell Auto Body donated his services and painted
the vehicle's existing exterior from purple to black, and Rich Dombey of
Rich's Design then helped create and install the vehicle's unique flame design.

"Flames are very in right now so we decided to go with that," Mr. Dombey
said. "They're really meant to grab someone's attention."

"It looks great and we're happy we could help out," Mr. Krachun said. "Rich
did an awesome job and really added a lot of pop to it." Police Chief
Robert Gazaway says he's extremely grateful to the three businesses for
their generosity.

"The force is very thankful to the three businesses for helping us," Chief
Gazaway said. "My budget never would have allowed us to do something like
this."

The vehicle will be used by DARE officers Maria Larangeira and Kelly Howard
to help raise awareness for the program.

"This helps students get interested in the program," Officer Larangeira
said. "It's very eye-catching and it helps put pride in the program."

The DARE program operates out of the Auten Road Intermediate School,
teaching fifth-graders about the dangers of illegal drugs, tobacco, alcohol
and violence over the course of 10 weeks, Officer Howard said.

Classes run about 40 minutes and are worked into the student's regular
routine, Officer Larangeira said.

"We teach them different techniques to avoid using drugs and what they are
and how to resist marijuana, tobacco and alcohol," Officer Howard said. "We
teach them how dangerous it can be to drink and drive."

"We also touch on gang awareness," Officer Larangeira added.

Upon completion students are asked to write an essay explaining what
they've learned.

This is the department's 15th year running the program.

"We were one of the first towns in the county to start it," Chief Gazaway
noted.

The DARE vehicles are driven to school functions and to other public events
to raise awareness for the program.

The vehicle made its debut early last month during the Hillsborough DARE
graduation attended by over 500 kids at the Raritan Valley Community
College, Chief Gazaway said.

"It really looks sharp," Chief Gazaway said.

It was also present during the opening ceremonies of DARE Day at Commerce
Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater on May 23, and will be making an appearance
during Manville Borough's 75th anniversary parade, Saturday.