Pubdate: Fri, 06 Oct 2000
Source: Bakersfield Californian (CA)
Copyright: 2000, The Bakersfield Californian.
Contact:  PO Box 440, Bakersfield, CA 93302-0440
Website: http://www.bakersfield.com/
Author: Linda Sappington, Special to The Californian

D.A.R.E. CAR GETS HONOR

RIDGECREST - The Ridgecrest Police Department's D.A.R.E. vehicle - a black 
1998 Chevrolet Camaro - will be the model for a Mattel Matchbox toy car.

After signing a five-year agreement with D.A.R.E. America to produce small 
replicas of D.A.R.E. cars, Mattel representatives visited D.A.R.E. 
conferences to get a first-hand look at some of the police officers' vehicles.

"We also received quite a few letters and photos from DARE officers who 
wanted to see their cars immortalized in a Matchbox vehicle," said Darrin 
Greene, senior product manager for Matchbox collectibles. "From there, 24 
vehicles were posted on the Matchbox Web site (www.Matchbox.com), and kids 
were asked to vote for their favorites."

When 12 winning cars were announced in April, Ridgecrest's car - donated to 
the police department in 1998 - was not on the list.

"I was shocked our car didn't get picked," said Ridgecrest Police D.A.R.E. 
officer Mike Myers. "We had so much local support."

Although the car did not get enough votes for the first cut, it did get 
enough to grab the attention of the Mattel design team. Mattel decided to 
produce the Ridgecrest vehicle, thinking it would be marketable, according 
to Greene.

"The Ridgecrest car was one of the kids' favorites, and a favorite of the 
design team as well," Greene said. "The graphics on the car are very cool, 
and that's a primary consideration when picking vehicles that will sell."

Myers believes Ridgecrest's D.A.R.E. vehicle, which was selected Best of 
Show at the 1999 California D.A.R.E. car show, effectively wins the 
attention of local youth.

"The car breaks a communication barrier," said Myers. "We show the kids 
that it's not true that the only way to get a cool car is by dealing drugs."

Founded in 1983, D.A.R.E., which stands for Drug Abuse Resistance 
Education, is an officer-led education program for students from 
kindergarten through high school. Its mission is to provide children with 
the information and skills they need to live drug-free.
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