Pubdate: Wed, 14 Sep 2005
Source: Record, The (Stockton, CA)
Copyright: 2005 The Record
Contact:  http://www.recordnet.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/428
Author: Rick Brewer

OFFICER KEEPS DARE IN TRACY

TRACY -- Officer "Abs" was back at work Tuesday inside a portable classroom
at Villalovoz Elementary School.

Hayward police Officer Steve Abercrombie weaved between 29 fifth-graders and
introduced each to the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.

Like any comfortable classroom teacher, Abercrombie asked questions, called
on kids by name and used appropriate humor to engage his students during an
hourlong presentation. It was the first of 10 weekly sessions he'll use to
teach children basic defenses against drugs, alcohol and gang violence.

The fifth-graders shot their arms into the air when Abercrombie asked
questions. When one student made a particularly astute observation,
Abercrombie quickly came over for a high-five and knuckle knock.

"His enthusiasm allows children to be more positive," said teacher Melissa
Ringleb, who has watched Abercrombie teach DARE for three years. "He's very
sincere about the importance of this program."

The same enthusiasm helped keep DARE in Tracy schools following a year of
financial uncertainty. Abercrombie lobbied City Council members and other
community leaders to provide needed funds for the program that sends
officers into fifth-grade classrooms.

It worked. The city's current budget has enough of a reserve that council
members on Sept. 6 approved -- on the recommendation of the Tracy Police
Department -- a $57,000 grant to allow DARE to continue. Local Kiwanis
members are committed to raising the rest of the program's $80,000 budget.

"DARE continues to be an important program and one that deserves to be
taught if at all possible," Tracy Police Chief David Krauss said.

Until the 2004-05 school year, the district and Police Department
co-sponsored a full-time Tracy officer to teach the program. It cost more
than $120,000 annually in salary, benefits and supplies.

Facing a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall, Tracy Unified decided it
could no longer afford its half of the cost. Krauss said the Police
Department couldn't afford more than its half and returned the officer to
patrol duties.

Abercrombie also teaches DARE at Jefferson, Banta and Lammersville schools.

DARE officers are paid a small stipend, but not the benefits a DARE officer
usually receives as a member of the local force. The contracted rate allows
the program to be taught to 1,500 students throughout the school year at a
substantially reduced cost.

"Under ideal situations, we would like to see DARE taught by our officers so
we can interact and get to know the students and give them an initial
positive impression of the police," Krauss said. "The next-best alternative
is to give the students the same education but with other officers."

Fifth-grade student Cameron Silva applauded the efforts of Officer Abs after
his first encounter with DARE.

"I like him," Silva said. "I think it's going to be a good 10 weeks."
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