Pubdate: Thu, 08 Feb 2007
Source: Sierra Sun (Truckee, CA)
Copyright: 2007 Sierra Sun
Contact:  http://www.sierrasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2294
Author: Kara Fox
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

PLACER COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPANDS IN-SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Students in North Shore schools will have more interaction with law 
enforcement after a new position was added in the Placer County 
Sheriff's office in Tahoe to help curb drug use among youth.

Detective Stephanie Novick, who runs the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse 
Resistance Education) program for fifth graders, will expand her 
duties as part of her new position in the Community and Youth Services Unit.

In her new post, Novick will gather tips on drug activity, work to 
eradicate drug dealers, mentor students, and expand the D.A.R.E. 
program to middle schools.

"I'd like to get in and do more stuff with them," Novick said of the 
students. "I'd like to create a friendship with them."

Lt. John Savage said Novick's role will "help close the gap" for 
sixth, seventh and eighth graders, who get minimal drug education. 
Elementary and high school students receive more drug education than 
the middle school students, Savage said.

"The more education, the better," said Novick, who began her new 
position Monday. Savage said he hopes the students will be able to 
trust Novick so they feel comfortable going to her with problems or 
issues. Community Services Officer Melinda Maehler and High School 
Resource Deputy Russ Potts will still serve in their positions at 
North Tahoe Middle School and High School, respectively.

"We're just really excited in expanding the community and youth 
services unit," Savage said. "The youth is important in our community."

In addition to Novick's new position, the sheriff's office has also 
started a new regional drug task force that includes the Truckee 
Police Department, Washoe County Sheriff's Office, California Highway 
Patrol, El Dorado County Sheriff's Office, Nevada County Sheriff's 
Office, Placer County Probation and state parole.

In the last few weeks, Placer County Sheriff's deputies have arrested 
suspected drug dealers in two separate drug busts, according to 
Savage. Hundreds of grams of various drugs were seized during the 
raids, he said.

"Our patrol deputies will be a large part of the activities since 
they often respond to crimes in progress and are usually the first to 
observe activity, as evidenced from the recent seizures," Savage 
said. "Additionally, the patrol force will be building relationships 
within the community to act as a conduit of information."

Savage said the sheriff's office has also reinstated the 24-hour drug 
tip line, where community members can leave tips about drug or crime 
activities.

"I'm very happy this is happening. We're changing business," said 
Captain Jeff Granum. "This is in-line with what I want to do. These 
changes are part of larger sheriff's changes."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman