DARE program returning to elementary schools
Brentwood School District elementary schools will soon add DARE programming to its curriculum.
Mayor Ken Lockhart said that school police officer Joe Kozarian will go through training to become a certified DARE officer and offer the program at the district's two elementary schools.
The program is expected to start next year, Lockhart said.
The program can be run from kingergarten to grade 12, though the new program will only be offered to elementary students.
"If we can educate one child, the program has done it's job," said Richard Bender, chair of public safety.
"It's a good program that will really help our children."
Lockhart said the school had previously used its own drug and alcohol prevention program to take stress off a shorthanded department.
The borough has not had a DARE officer since 2001 because of personnel issues.
When the department became short on officers, due to retirement, resignations and worker's compensation claims, the DARE program was pulled to keep another officer on the street, Lockhart said.
Currently, the department has one officer on worker's compensation, and another resigned earlier this year. Lockhart said a full police roster, including Chief Robert Butelli, is 15 officers. The department is functioning with 13 officers.
"It was hard to justify paying an officer to do the DARE program when the school paid their officer," said Lockhart.
"When it comes to money and the schedule, it's easier for the school to do it."
Officers have always had a presence at the schools, attending lunch with students and visiting at least once a week.
"We want to let the kids know police are not somebody to be afraid of," said Lockhart.
"It makes students more willing to come to the police for help because they see them as more of a friend."
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It is great to see the program make a come back. It is good to see that the issues being debated on this site are being addressed. It is even good to see the Mayor change his stance on this. However it is sad to see that he thinks this is hard to justify paying for. There are no school police at the elementry schools to do this. It would have been nice to see the Mayor fight for a program that helps the kids as much as he fights to protect the police chief. How do you justify paying for the Police Chief's cloths, yet the life of a child which may be saved is not justifiable.
What has he done for us? I am tired of hearing excuses. We need this program. It should be done by our police. However, I suppose this will suffice for now. When is he going to hire someone. The excuses only go so far.
I am glad that Bender pushed for this. He finally got through. There is much more to be done in this borough.
Does anyone else have a problem that the Christmas lights on Brownsville road are half burned out? They would look great if the candles in the wreaths were all lit. Maybe you'll see me on my ladder at midnight fixing them, since public works does'nt give a hoot. Anyone want to join me? What happened to Brentwood pride?
He didnt want the program, he stated that he didnt think it was needed, this coming from the man who had A DARE plate on the front of his car. Your right, what does he care, about as much as the police does about drunk drivers, since they have dropped out of the DUI task force. What does this tell you about the police force.
Dear Watcher,
Your statement about the police department not caring about DUI's is not correct.There are several officers there who received awards for their aggressive drive to take drunk drivers off of the streets.Some decisions,like dropping out of the DUI task force,are not made at the level of the officers.You are making this a reflection on all of the officers.Some have worked very hard to keep your family and children safe from drunk drivers.What it tells me about the police force is that they too are subject to politics.
I am not making this A reflection on all the officer's, the Chief and the Mayor is. I never said all the officer's didnt care, A very few do. But when the Chief and or Mayor makes A decision like dropping out, it reflects on the whole force.A few have worked hard to keep people safe, the Chief isn't one of them. No DARE program(sorry, I think if should be A real police program), no DUI task force, no drug task force. I ask you, what do our police do? Sit at Caribou and oogle the employees? I had the opportunity to be near the boro building recently for several hours,two of the on-duty cars were there for at least 4 hours. Again, it all starts with the Chief and Mayor, they dont work, so I guess the rest of the force dont.
Please do not take this in offense.I am not asking this question rudely,but genuinely.How did you know that they were on duty cars?There are often more cars than officers on duty and the cars sit at the borough building.Seeing things and knowing the reason for things are different.Did they have an arrest? Were there reports that required both officers to be there?It is easy to "see" things,maybe"Watch" things.Knowing the facts makes these type of statements less damning.
Yes, they where duty cars, and no there were no arrests, Fact. Example of Brentwood police work, several weeks ago two males were passed out in A car in the giant eagle. Police and EMS were dispatched, Police arriving after EMS,?, Drugs and drug paraphelnelia was found on the suspects and in the car. Both suspects were under the influence. Neither were arrested. Documented case. You tell me?
Why did Brentwood Police drop out of the DUI task force? I asked around and every municipal, city, county and our State Police belong to the DUI Task Force. Is it the same reason that our Brentwood Police were removed or limited in the Drug Task Force ?? Maybe the Mayor and Chief feel that we do not have a drug and alcohol problem in Brentwood. Maybe the Chief and Mayor are simply out of touch with todays society and maybe they need a reality check at the next council meeting. Wake up Brentwood, these two are the towns downfall. Drugs and Alcohol kill every second of every day !!!! What...... NOT IN BRENTWOOD ???????
Can someone ask the Mayor at the next council meeting if the school police are going to follow the actual DARE program ?? I looked it up online and there are some requirements to be the actual DARE program:
The D.A.R.E. Officers Training (D.O.T.) course consists of two weeks (80 hours) of preparatory instruction all Police officers must complete this training before presenting the D.A.R.E. curriculum in the classroom. Arranging for this training can be accomplished by contacting your D.A.R.E. State Coordinator or Regional Director.
What about the issue of having a Brentwood Police Officer involved in the program. I hear that the department is back up to better manpower and plans are being made to hire a few new ones. Will Brentwood Police use the already DARE certified Officer in the program ?
How about the drug awareness program that use to be offered to all residents via the library director? We had a Brentwood Police Officer who I think was assigned to a drug task force and provided invaluable information to parents and children. Can we get that program back too?
Am I missing something here? Seems as though we are eliminating services that are of great value, services that we once had under Mayor Joyce and Arnoni.... What are we replacing them with ???
I can not make the council meeting ...... Can someone please ask and post the Mayors responses ???? I sure hope its not "I will look into it and get back to us"!!!!
The mayor and chief do not want the DARE program and obiviously dont care about DUI's. A Brentwood officer died recently (Ranger), was he honored or remembered in any way? No.Yes the mayor and chief had A lot to say for the record, but anything else? What A disgrace! As for the Brentwood school police doing the DARE program, another waste. If it is not school wide dont bother, although it would be nice to see the school officer earning his $70,000+ salary.(another waste, I ask you?).
Dera Watcher,
I agree with you that it was a disgrace that our K-9,Ranger,was not honored in some way.The signs at the library and EMS were nice,but it was not enough.
Maybe when Brad pulls his head out of the Chief & Mayors Ass , since he's been there alot the past 7 months which is why his thought patterns are so clouded, then he can write a real story as to the coverups in this town. We have not had a Dare program in years and Butelli & Lockhart have not helped the situation. These are the same two who will tell you that there are no Drug Issues in this town. Maybe we should look behind closed doors, they can't hide forever, even if they cover themselves with a relative attorney, this all gets old after awhile doesn't it. So now to cover the pattern up some more we throw it into the schools lap. First because we know that Joe K is interested in getting into the police force,
thats been a given for sometime. If he would do his math he gets a much better deal from the school. By giving this to Joe it also takes it out of the Boroughs hands, which then certain officials do not have to bust on their own family for drug use and selling . This system works well, also if a student would report anyone for drugs it would go through the school where it can be squashed at that point unless its someone they dislike and would like to nail then it would probably get reported to the police. Its a spiders web to protect their own. Hopefully Mr. Bender will force more accountability from the chief even though the Mayor covers for him.
These same two have also been involved in pulling our officers from DUI enforcement, especially on 51, I am sure that the police know not to touch any of Varneys bars or people. Maybe they can get a little tag on their cars so that you know not to touch them. Good Luck to anyone who Dares ask why they do what they do? Guess the Mayor will be suing me next week also.
It is solely the job of the taxpaying citizens of this borough to go to the meetings and DEMAND that we participate in these programs. There is no excuse for the mayor and chief. And their is no excuse for us--we should stand up and demand that these programs be put in place. With a borough as small as ours these problems should be kept in check. It's not like the size of the area is a problem. People know where the problems are. Let's take care of business. It's time to take our borough back.
It amazes me that there are such negative comments about the DARE program on this site.There were demands placed before the Mayor and council to bring the program back.The man power of the police department was low,but a solution was found so that the program could be reinstated.Now there are complaints posted here because the program WAS brought back!I know in life that you can't please everyone,but this is amazing.In Brentwood,it seems that you can't please anyone!
The school officers are required to be Act-120 certified,just like the borough officers.Considering the fact that they work at the school with the boroughs' children,it seems to me to be a good solution.If the officer at the school isn't trained to teach a DARE program,it was already pointed out that it only takes 80 hours to get certified.
The talk of cover-ups and such being the reason for this solution is almost funny.We have some great imaginations out there.These people should write books.Great mysteries in the 'Wood!
Candleslady,
I would like to first state that I said it was a good thing to get the Dare program back into the schools. I would like to ask you why it was removed in the first place? If you say that it was due to the lack of staff, I ask why the children are the least of the boroughs concern since they were the first to be cut from the schedule? We are talking about limited time with the children. If one officer spent one hour per week at each school, this would be 4 hours per week or 10% of his work week. This would break down to less than 1% of the police forces weekly time. Are the children not worth less than 1% of the police forces time (this is with 13 officers). I am glad to see they can still find time to sit in parking lots talking to other police officers (some from other boroughs).The officers do not have time to talk to the kids regarding drugs, yet they are at the schools eating lunch. Seems like double talk to me. The Mayor and Police Chief stated that there was no need for the program, then all of the excuses about staff developed. By having the school police run the program, the buck is simply being passed from the police force. If there was a true desire for this program to work, it would be in every school now. It would never had been removed in the first place. In my opinion, the program would be best suited in the middle/ high school. This is where the students are most suspect to the problems of drugs. I believe what is taking place now is just a little smoke screen to get people to be quiet. Why can't the already certified police officer, run the program along side the school police? Why can't the police chief him self get certified and run the program if the officers are to busy? I do not believe any officers are being critcized here, only the political bull crap that is taking place. I guess it will be easier in the long run for the police to chase the drug users around the park.
As much as I agree with you that the Tax Payers should come to meetings and Demand that certain programs should be put back into place, I still feel that Council should mandate
it since these programs were all voted on years back. President of council Lieb who once was head of Safety was nothing more than Lip Service who never handled anything. He hid behind the notorious Dytko , who I know you did not vote for, you have made that clear. I did and I would do it again. She was the only one who looked into anything and backed it up, wether you agree or not. I just hope that this council doesn't hang Bender out to dry when the waves start like they did Dytko. I hope Wizard you will be there
for him with your corporate card. Oh silly me I'm sure you will. Good Luck
I agree that council should push for these programs. Unfortunately, that is the only thing I agree with you on. I don't think Bender will be hung out to dry, everyone up there needs to work together as a team. Just in closing-I don't have any corporate cards, I believe in paying cash. I am not sure who you think I am. Guess again.
I read your comment,and I know that you stated your approval of the return of the DARE program.I agree with you.I think that a program that can do anything to deter drug use is a good one.I also agree that the children should be a priority.I don't think anyone could dispute that.As to why the DARE program was removed,I can only tell you what I have heard over the years.True? You decide for yourself.I have always been told that originally the School Board decided that they no longer wanted the DARE program in the school.About that time,Officer Caputo who taught the program retired.It was not persued by the school.It has only become a man power issue within the past year.
As far as your other questions,I don't know the answers.I will say that they are thought provoking.I don't see it as a criticism of any officers in your comment,just food for thought.The criticism was made in stating that the police don't care about DUI's.That was a decision not made at the officers level.
Candles,
Please cast your inside knowledge a little further with some additional questions / answers. Who is to blame:
1. New Police Car being locked up and out of use since inception of July 2
2. Who decided upon no more DUI task force participation ??
3. No more real participation in Drug Task Force and Drug Awareness Program ?
4. The general lack of community involvement from our Police Department ??
5. The Police Chief being anti-social and kept hidden away in his office?? Did your husband, or any Chief of Police under your husband get away with this ???
6. Thursday mechanic sponsored golf trips instead of any of the other listed items.... including DARE ??
7. Slow response times after hours / weekends because the priority is to build up the troops on M-F quitting time of 3:00 pm.
8. Graffitti being accepted over every last inch of our town !!!!!
9. A cell phone that we residents are instructed to call to reach a Police Officer and nobody ever answers.
10. Caribou Coffe - need I explain ????
Dear Victory,
I am sorry,but I don't know the answers to your questions.I don't know what the decision making process is in the police department.These are questions for the Chief and Mayor.Maybe these are questions to pose to the council person who is in charge of the Public Safety committee.As I stated in an earlier blog,I can only discuss what I have heard like the rest of you.I hope that you find the answers to your questions.
Candleslady,
The last time I checked Mayor Ken Lockhart was in charge of the police department, and under him is Chief Butelli. What are they doing? What are they not doing? I think we all know the answers, take a look around.
I thought about your previous blog and your request for "inside" knowledge.If I lived in a borough and had concerns about my police department,I would be seeking out voted officals like the Mayor,police chief,and council.My choice for answers to my questions would not be one of the officers family members.First of all,I try to be open-minded,but it is human nature and I will have a bias.Will I stand up for everything that the police dept. does?No,but I have a precious part that I feel defensive about.
When I read your blogs,I believe that you have as much inside knowledge as I do.Your source seems to sit on the opposite side of the fence.Any concerns that residents have about their public safety are valid concerns.They should be addressed to the correct people.
I had to call the police on Oct 30, 2007 after my son was driving some friends home around 9:30pm. He was driving up Greenlee when some punks found it amusing to throw eggs at the windshields of moving cars. This could have caused an accident. I felt that the police should be aware of what was happening. So, I called the phone number listed for the Brentwood police and was instructed to call another number for nonemergencies, which I did. Needless to say the officer who answered the phone was extremely rude. All, I said was that I wanted the police to be aware of what was happening, so an accident would not occur. The officer reponded rudely stating that the police were aware of the problem and were working on it, and actually pretty much hung up on me.. if I spoke to patients at my job the way I was spoken to, I would probably be fired...All I wanted to do was make them aware of these morons, because my son could have had an accident, and that was the response I received. I'm sorry, but there is no excuse to be rude when someone is just trying to let the police know there is a problem... it would have been different if I had been rude and disrespectful but that was not the case... to get respect, one must also give respect... whether a police officer or just an "ordinary" person....just like everything else, there is good and bad in everything even in the Brentwood police. (there are good Brentwood Officers and bad ones, because I know some good ones (I really don't care to know the bad ones)
I am glad that your son and his friends were not hurt.I hope that you were able to get the officers name.This kind of behavior is not acceptable and should be reported.When these things are not addressed,it reflects on the "good " officers too.You are right about respect-it is a two way street.
I know who is in charge of the police department,which is why I think Victory should direct her questions there.What you think you see is not always the reality of what is.Assuming is a bad habit.