Pubdate: Thu, 06 Dec 2007
Source: Journal-Inquirer (Manchester, CT)
Copyright: 2007 Journal-Inquirer
Contact:  http://www.journalinquirer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/220
Author: Kym Soper, Journal Inquirer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

POLICE WARN DARE SOLICITATION IS SCAM

VERNON - Local police are warning residents today about  a recent scam
to collect money, ostensibly for the DARE  - or Drug Abuse Resistance
Education - law enforcement  program that educates youth on the
hazards of drugs and  alcohol.

The Vernon Police Department does not solicit money by  telephone and
currently has no DARE program, Officer  Daniel Champagne says.

In recent days police have received calls from area  residents and
businesses who say they were solicited by  phone for donations to the
non-existent Vernon DARE  program, Champagne said. The callers
specifically  stated that they represented the Vernon Police
Department, which is false, he added.

There were also reports of individuals standing outside  Vernon
businesses and claiming to represent the local  department's DARE program.

"The Vernon Police Department does not support this and  does not
receive anything from this," Champagne said in  a news release.

"The Vernon Police Union does solicit money every  couple of years and
does this strictly by mail with a  local return address," Champagne
said.

Anyone who is asked to donate to the local DARE program  should
contact Vernon Police, he added.
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MAP posted-by: Derek