ORANGE POLICE BENEFIT FROM DRUG DEALER'S LOSS

ORANGE - The Orange Police Department (OPD) boasts a hot new car in its
fleet - a bright yellow Corvette.

Orange Police Lt. Anthony Cuozzo said the car is being used for the DARE
(Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program, and is one of the tools used to
attract attention to the program. It also is the most coveted vehicle among
DARE officers.

"The car sends a very clear message to kids, that if you're going to get
involved in the drug trade, we're going to take your stuff," Cuozzo said.
"People think it's a nice car, but guess what: [the drug dealer] is not
driving it anymore, we are."

"For years we had a Ford Mustang that was seized from a drug dealer. But,
like everything, cars wear out," Cuozzo said.

Two years ago, Officer Brian Foote acquired the department's new Corvette
after a Federal narcotics investigation. Like the Mustang, the "Vette" was
seized from a drug dealer, according to Police Chief Joseph Dooley.

Cuozzo said area business people and members of the community have stepped
up to help the department prepare the car for its public debut.

Labor for bodywork and other necessary enhancements were donated, and the
OPD paid for the materials from a special fund.

Steve Madavaski from Mile to Wild Automotive on Route 34 did the body and
paint work. Whelen Engineering donated the emergency light. Paint World in
New Haven sold them the paint at cost.

The OPD did not stand idly by while others labored. Dooley credits Cuozzo
with the countless hours he spent assisting in the car's transformation.

Cuozzo said he spent two weeks - day and night - at the body shop, sanding
and prepping the car.

"It seems I was always the one that was on my back, sanding the underside.
I don't think it was even necessary for me to do it, but they liked to see
me sweat," Cuozzo said with a laugh.

The car's color scheme is in keeping with the department's new uniforms and
the reverse of the Orange patrol cars.

"There are 11 coats of paint on that car," Cuozzo said. "Two coats of
white; four coats of Sunrise Pearl [yellow] and five coats of clear paint.
The stripes are 'burple,' a combination of blue and purple."

Even with the elaborate paint job, the Corvette is not complete. Cuozzo
said the department has decided, that "less is more." The doors will have
"Orange Police" stenciled on the front hood and doors; "Community Policing"
printed on the front fenders and "DARE" printed on the back.

New Youth and Community Services officer Heather Chambers will take her
place behind the wheel after her DARE training is complete in early 2004.