Pubdate: Thu, 25 May 2006
Source: Tri-Town News (NJ)
Copyright: 2006 Greater Media Newspapers
Contact:  http://tritown.gmnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4029
Author: Dave Benjamin, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

DRUG DEALER'S CAR WILL BE PUT TO USE BY POLICE

Carlson Auto Body Is Transforming Vehicle into New DARE
Unit

JACKSON - Vehicles seized in drug crimes are being used  to serve a
worthwhile purpose. That's what it's all  about for the Jackson Police
Department and Carlson  Auto Body, a 30-year-old business on Bennetts
Mills  Road.

The police department and the business have come  together to
recondition a seized vehicle which will be  used for the Jackson
School District's DARE (Drug Abuse  Resistance Educa-tion) program.

DARE teaches youngsters how to stay away from drugs and  stay out of
trouble.

Carl Carlson, the owner of Carlson Auto Body, said he  previously
refurbished an old police car as the first  DARE vehicle in Jackson.

"We painted that one when the car was done. That one  was purple and
green and it had small colored flames  going through it," he said.

Now the police have supplied a 1985 Mustang coupe to be  turned into a
DARE car. The vehicle had been impounded  during a drug arrest,
Carlson said.

The car is undergoing a transformation in the auto body
shop.

"Dwayne, from Outrageous Mustangs, has some pretty  outrageous
Mustangs. They're doing the motor work.  Downs Ford in Toms River
donated the motor. [From  there] we're going to do all of the design
work and all  that stuff on the car once the car is back from getting
the motor in. They are leaving the designs up to us. It  will be
something that will really [catch the eye of]  the kids."

Carlson said he is hoping someone will donate a hood,  possibly a
raised hood, for the new DARE car.

There is a chance the car will have a final coat of  Harlican, a paint
which changes color as someone moves  around the car.

"A couple of us work on [the car] late at night,"  Carlson said.
"Right now the mechanic gave the police a  list of some things they
need for the car. All of this  is done with donations. Sometimes the
business people  in town help out by donating needed items. Someone
will  donate tires. Someone else will donate money for some  wheels or
do something like that."

Carlson said his portion of the costs exceed $2,500.

"That's how much time and money we put in," he said.  "If somebody
else would like to chip in and help the  police out, I'm sure the
town, the police and all the  children would be really happy and
appreciative."

Jackson police Sgt. Ed Bennett said, "This car will be  used the same
way the first DARE car was used, in  parades, at shows and for
demonstrations. It will be  used to get the kids' attention.
Basically, cops can  have cool cars like the drug dealers, [too]."

Bennett said the new DARE car will have a full sound
system.

"It was donated by Vinnie from Tronx," he said.  "They're in Bayville,
they did the first DARE car and  most likely they're going to do the
second [DARE car  sound system]."

The Jackson municipal alliance gave money for wheels  and
tires.

Bennett said the DARE car is basically a big  advertisement that tells
youngsters, "Hey, listen. If  you take the right track you can have
whatever the drug  dealers have and still be cool."

He said the new DARE vehicle will be a work of art when  it is done.
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