DARE CAR TO HIT THE STREETS

The Goshen County DARE Program will soon have an interesting way of
promoting their cause. A new vehicle has joined other county patrol
cars, but rather than sporting the Police Department logo, the car
will instead be soley known as "the DARE Car."

"We've always had the idea," said Sgt. Jeff Lamm of the Torrington
Police Department, who also serves as the school resource officer.
"It's one of the things that a lot of DARE programs do - they get a
fancy or unusual car, to use other than a patrol car." The car, a 1992
Lexus ES 300, was donated by Tony Bazzi, owner of C&B's Wilderness
Sports.

"I love kids and I always care about them," Bazzi, a seven-year
resident of Torrington, said. "I love this town, and the people are
very friendly and helpful. Everybody's supposed to help each other,
and I know that the kids need help. I did it for them."

Various businesses around Torrington have helped to prepare the car
for its new position. The car's transformation began with work donated
by Cool Customs Body Shop

"Cool Customs did some body work on it," Lamm said. "They repaired
some dents and scratches, then spray painted it black."

New wheels for the car were donated by Heilbrun's NAPA Auto Parts, and
were put on the vehicle by Larry Orr of Orr's Alignment.

"Right now it's just plain black, but Ridge Avery, from Laramie, will
be donating graphics for it in a few months," Lamm said. "We will send
a picture of the car down to him, and he will come up with three or
four designs for it and send them back."

The final design will be chosen by Lamm and Police Chief Billy
Janes.

The Lexus will also be equipped with emergency lights purchased by the
DARE program.

"It will be equipped to be a regular patrol car if needed," Lamm
added.

DARE is a nation-wide program that focuses on decision-making and
choices. According to Lamm, it "works on building confidence and
problem solving skills," while also encouraging children to avoid
alcohol, tobacco and other kinds of drugs.

The car will be used throughout the county, as the DARE program is
taught in Torrington, Lingle and Southeast.

"It can be used by whoever needs it," Lamm said. "Like if they want to
set it up in front of the school, and for other open ideas."

The vehicle comes to the Goshen County DARE program at the perfect
time, as the State DARE Convention will be held in Torrington during
the summer of 2004.

"The car will be out there a lot, " Lamm said. "And it will be used
whenever we have a DARE function."

There are several DARE cars currently in use in Wyoming, and all
through the United States. Information on all of the cars can be
viewed at the DARE Program web site, www.dare.com.