Pubdate: Sat, 23 Jul 2005
Source: Valley Morning Star (TX)
Copyright: 2005 Valley Morning Star
Contact: http://www.valleystar.com/letters.php
Website: http://www.valleystar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/584
Author: Matt Lynch
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

POLICE GO BACK TO HIGH SCHOOLS

Officers To Warn Against Drugs, Gangs, Violence

HARLINGEN -- Uniformed police officers on duty will be regular sights 
at the city's two high schools when students return to classes next month.

During a July 6 city commission meeting, commissioners voted 
unanimously to allow the city to assign uniformed officers to 
Harlingen High School South and Harlingen High School during the 
2005-2006 school year.

Commissioners also voted unanimously to allow police officers to 
participate in school district programs aimed at warning students of 
the dangers of drugs, gangs and violence.

Tricia Morrow, assistant superintendent for elementary education, 
said the school district is thankful for its relationship with local police.

"We've been very fortunate to have the cooperation with HPD," she 
said. "It's been a very productive program and our students have 
benefited from it."

As part of the agreement, two officers will be assigned to Harlingen 
High School, and a third will be stationed at Harlingen High School South.

"They are there full time (just) like the other staff members on 
campus. They respond to anything, like an administrator that deals 
with student safety issues," Morrow said. "They take their directions 
from a campus principal just like anyone else on campus."

As part of the district's SAVE -- Substance Abuse, Violence and 
Education -- program, HPD officers will instruct district 
fifth-graders on the dangers of drugs and gangs.

Officers meet with fifth-graders for nine-week blocks at each 
elementary school. Morrow said that if time permits, officers will 
move on to fourth-graders after completing the course with the 
fifth-grade population.

"SAVE is patterned after the DARE program, but is different because 
DARE is a national program and there were things going on in our 
community we felt needed to be addressed," Morrow said. "The 
information can be delivered by a parent or a counselor, but there is 
a big difference when officers in uniform come in to talk to the students."

Morrow said federal funds from a drug-free schools and community 
program will pay for much of the cost associated with the services.

Mayor Rick Rodriguez said the decision was important for local children.

"As a commission we felt the city and school district should work 
together to educate our children and ensure that they are well 
protected," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth