Kids put on goggles and drive golf carts to simulate drunken driving.

Children watch a video of talking animals saying no to drugs.

Parents learn warning signs that their kids may be smoking marijuana.

Nationwide, police are using community service programs such as these to get residents active in crime prevention, said Mike Ward, executive director of the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police.

The nationwide trend comes from a simple philosophy: A police department is an important part of the community and needs to reach out to residents, Ward said.

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