MACOMB MAY GET ANOTHER DARE OFFICER

MACOMB - City officials were notified Thursday they had won a $125,000
federal grant that might pay for another police officer.

The officer would work in Macomb's primary and secondary buildings and
could be in charge of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program. Because
of budget problems, Macomb schools have been without a DARE program this
year for the first time since 1986.

"We're very excited," Macomb Police Chief Bill Hedeen said. "We've had DARE
for years, and we're big believers in the program. This also allows us to
be accessible to kids. The officer should benefit the school and the
department."

Macomb School Superintendent Fran Karanovich said she was "elated" to hear
about the money.

"School liaison officers help build position relationships with kids,"
Karanovich said. "They are another adult that kids can build confidence
with and go to when they have problems. What an opportunity for our students."

The Macomb police department has 24 officers, and the grant allows the
hiring of one more.

The money would pay 75 percent of the officer's salary for the first three
years. The city would have to maintain the officer's employment for at
least one year after the grant expires.

The grant still must be approved by the City Council. The money comes from
the Justice Department and is part of the 1994 Anti-Crime bill to help hire
100,000 police officers nationwide.