SV POLICE DARE KIDS TO DESIGN NEW LOOK FOR VAN

SIERRA VISTA - The Sierra Vista Police Department's newest D.A.R.E. vehicle
is in need of a paint job, and the department is calling upon local
schoolchildren for help.

I D.A.R.E. You, a drawing contest to design a new logo for the program's
2001 Chevy Astro Van, began this week with police officers seeking student
artists from Sierra Vista public schools.

D.A.R.E. stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education and is part of an
international campaign to educate elementary, middle and high school
students about the dangers of drugs, gangs and violence.

The program brings local police into the schools to teach about drugs and
violence, as well as fuel mutual respect between the officers and juveniles
by giving each an opportunity to interact with one another in an
environment outside of the traditional law enforcement role.

The result is a program that reaches more than 36 million children
worldwide in 80 percent of United States school districts and more than 54
countries around the world.

In Sierra Vista, the program is currently taught to about 425 students at
the fifth grade level from six area schools. Combining in-class instruction
with projects and contests, the program is led by Sierra Vista Police
Officer Shaun Pfund.

"The idea is to have some kids take stock in the car and in the message of
'Say No To Drugs,'" Pfund said Wednesday.

Students are encouraged to create a logo for the vehicle or an entire paint
design to reflect the anti-drug message of D.A.R.E.

Contestants also can view other D.A.R.E. vehicles at www.dare.com to come
up with ideas or review program slogans and caricatures that can be
incorporated into the design, Pfund said.

Also, during its statewide, national and international meetings, D.A.R.E.
officers such as Pfund have an opportunity to enter their vehicles into
paint contests against other vehicles for additional prizes and recognition
for local D.A.R.E. students, Pfund said.

Entries into the contest will be accepted until May 10 with a decision
about the design selected by D.A.R.E. officers and other police staff. The
winning entrant will receive $100 from the department and a variety of
D.A.R.E. merchandise.