Pubdate: Tue,  2 Jul 2002
Source: Reno Gazette-Journal (NV)
Copyright: 2002 Reno Gazette-Journal
Contact:  http://www.rgj.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/363
Author: Ray Hagar
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

CARSON SHERIFF CANDIDATES ALL SUPPORT COPS IN SCHOOLS

The five Carson City sheriff candidates said they would be committed to 
keeping the Cops in Schools grant program, even though federal funding ends 
next year.

The program provides almost $120,000 annually for two full-time deputies to 
patrol schools in the Carson City School District, according to sheriff's 
department records.

School administrators praise it as an effective tool. Last year, deputies 
helped coordinate drug-sniffing dog searches in the schools.

One search at Carson High led to a seizure of less than an ounce of 
marijuana. In the days after the seizure, 13 juveniles were arrested 
throughout the city, including seven Carson High students. The arrests led 
to stiffer school district penalties for students caught with drugs or alcohol.

Carson High principal Glen Adair said Monday he hoped the candidates "were 
not just making campaign promises."

"I know all the candidates are men of their word," Adair said. "But I hope 
they actually have the wherewithal and resources to keep it going. We have 
found it to be so rewarding for us that we can't imagine not having it."

Next year, federal funds will pay for 75 percent of the program with the 
school district and sheriff's department splitting 25 percent of the costs.

The cost to keep the program, even under a new grant, could go up 
dramatically after that, officials said.

Each candidate wants more money for the Cops in Schools program and 
supports drug searches in schools by dogs. Only Chief Deputy Scott Burau 
opposes restoring the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program because 
national data shows that it is ineffective.

"If federal funding dries out, we'll do everything we can to keep it 
going," said Richard Mendoza, 52, a sheriff's detective. "I'm 100 percent 
for the program."

Ken Furlong, 44, an investigator for the Nevada Division of Investigations, 
said: "Funding is always going to be an issue, but it should never be the 
stopper."

Wayne Fazzino, 49, an investigator for the attorney general, said he would 
be more aggressive in seeking grant money if elected, charging that the 
current administration does not take advantage of many of the grants now 
offered. "I would invest a lot more time and effort in our schools," 
Fazzino said.

Deputy Bob Guimont, 35, said he wants the program expanded to three 
officers and equip them with sport utility vehicles.

"They should have SUVs, and I'd love for them to have emergency medical 
training and be prepared for an incident similar to what happened at 
Columbine High," he said. "I would like to see those deputies with the 
proper equipment to go against an armed assailant."

Burau, 49, said adding officers is not realistic, considering the unstable 
future funding for the program.

"I was at a meeting with school district officials last week, and I was 
asked if it was necessary to increase staffing," Burau said. "I said that 
at the present time, that is not a necessity and the school administrators 
agreed. More is not necessarily better.

"We will have to be prudent with our resources. And based on last week's 
meeting, we will hold the line with two officers."

Candidates said they plan other ways to get the sheriff's agency more 
involved in schools. Furlong wants cadet programs for students.

"Most of the candidates have talked about financial restrictions," Furlong 
said. "But it doesn't cost you a dime to go up and talk to a child."

Fazzino and Guimont said they want to attract grant money to fund senior 
volunteer programs that help the many retired peace officers who live in 
the Carson City area.

"If we could get some grants going, we could involve more people," Fazzino 
said. "It would be a great part-time job, and there is a lot of talent in 
the Carson City area in regard to retired officers."

Guimont said he would use senior officers on lower priority calls, freeing 
deputies to concentrate on major crimes. He also would like to start the 
nationwide Gang Resistance Education and Training program in Carson City 
schools.

Mendoza wants the new sheriff and his deputies go to the schools for more 
assemblies and one-on-one contact with students.

"I'm not talking about another program where we are spending a lot of 
money," he said. "This would be on a time-available basis. We could hold a 
small assembly with the students or give a class, hand out brochures, try 
to relate to the students and get us involved."

Mendoza, Fazzino, Guimont and Furlong are for restoring DARE, a nationwide 
drug education program for fifth- and sixth-graders. It was dropped from 
the sheriff's budget about five years ago because of funding.

About 80 percent of the nation's schools use the program, according to a 
2001 study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse. The 
study also concluded that the program "shows little evidence of any 
extended impact."

"If DARE can save one child, then it is worth it," Fazzino said.

Burau disagreed.

"Based upon the national statistical data, I would have to question if that 
(bringing back DARE) would be prudent at this time," Burau said. "Numbers 
do not support that program.

"What worked years ago, programs such as DARE and GREAT, now you find a 
major shift away from that," Burau said. "The shift now is into programs 
like Cops in Schools as a result of the Columbine incident and other 
tragedies. The thrust now is school safety."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth