SUMMER D.A.R.E. CAMP A REWARD FOR OFFICERS, LOCAL KIDS

Pasadena D.A.R.E. officers said preventive policing is just as rewarding as
solving crimes as they celebrated the end of summer D.A.R.E. camp yesterday.

The week-long session of the police department's year-round D.A.R.E. camp
ended with a graduation ceremony at San Jacinto Intermediate, and kids
turning into pre-teens gladly celebrated with chocolate donuts and a
traditional game of parents vs. kids dodgeball.

"This is the positive side to police work," officer T. Marshall, a
three-year D.A.R.E. officer, said. "We don't get to see people being shot;
we get to see the positive side by working with kids."

Marshall chose to join the police department's community service division
and wholeheartedly believes that his work makes a difference. "This is
something I believe in; you have to believe in it to actually make a
difference," he said.

Marshall started a family tradition of law enforcement officers that now
includes his brother-in-law and cousin, but it was a life-altering
experience that initially led him to join the force.

"I had an experience in my life where I was a victim of a crime," he said.
"I remember that police officer and the comfort and safety I felt when he
was around. I just knew then I wanted to do that."

His desire to be that officer has come true as the 11- and 12-year-old
D.A.R.E. kids clinged to his every move during an impromptu basketball game
before the graduation ceremony.

The Thursday afternoon concluded a week of activities including swimming,
bowling and rock climbing at the YMCA.

"They love being here, with other kids and around us," Marshall said.

Officer L. Aubin is one of the original D.A.R.E. officers from when the
program started 11 years ago.

"We had to do something in the summer to keep ourselves occupied as well as
the kids," he said.

The free camp has come a long way since its beginning, and Aubin brags that
the number of kids participating has greatly increased.

The retired patrolman of 30 years feels like D.A.R.E. gives him the
opportunity to go one on one with kids.

"This is a reward for me," he said. "I enjoy taking an active role in what
these kids become."

The "preventive policing method" is what holds the community service
division together, and while these officers may not be solving crime, they
are taking one step ahead by preventing crime.

"You either deal with it now, or you deal with it later," Marshall said,
"and it's a lot easier to deal with it now."

Amongst the graduating D.A.R.E. kids was Persephone Resendez, 11, who
completed her first year in D.A.R.E. camp.

"It's great. We get to go swimming, rock climbing and bowling," she said.
She never understood about drugs before the camp, but said she now knows
that "drugs are bad and will make you sick."

Persephone's favorite activity was rock wall climbing at the San Jacinto
YMCA, an activity, officers said, caused many kids to overcome their fears.

"Most of them were afraid to climb and wanted to quit," Aubin said, "but we
wouldn't let them, and they learned how to overcome their fears."

The officers stressed the importance of team sports, outdoor activities and
competition for building strong bonds between kids.

Some of the participants stood out in officers' minds and were given
special awards for their extra efforts after the ceremony. Congratulations
to red team's Jonathan Beames, green team's Michael Rapoza, blue team's
Eric DeLeon and yellow team's Erica Santillan. The top honor was awarded to
Michael Honea for his overall efforts out of all the D.A.R.E. teams.

D.A.R.E. camps are made possible by community sponsors that include the
Pasadena Volunteer Fire Department, Shipley Donuts at 3933 Spencer Highway,
Subway at 907 East Southmore, Mitchello's Pizza and Pasta at 1900 A.
Southmore and many more.