Pubdate: Fri, 18 Jul 2003 Source: Pasadena Citizen (TX) Contact: http://www.thepasadenacitizen.com Copyright: Pasadena Citizen 2003 Author: Heather L. Nicholson SUMMER D.A.R.E. CAMP A REWARD FOR OFFICERS, LOCAL KIDS Pasadena D.A.R.E. officers said preventive policing is just as rewarding as solving crimes as they celebrated the end of summer D.A.R.E. camp yesterday. The week-long session of the police department's year-round D.A.R.E. camp ended with a graduation ceremony at San Jacinto Intermediate, and kids turning into pre-teens gladly celebrated with chocolate donuts and a traditional game of parents vs. kids dodgeball. "This is the positive side to police work," officer T. Marshall, a three-year D.A.R.E. officer, said. "We don't get to see people being shot; we get to see the positive side by working with kids." Marshall chose to join the police department's community service division and wholeheartedly believes that his work makes a difference. "This is something I believe in; you have to believe in it to actually make a difference," he said. Marshall started a family tradition of law enforcement officers that now includes his brother-in-law and cousin, but it was a life-altering experience that initially led him to join the force. "I had an experience in my life where I was a victim of a crime," he said. "I remember that police officer and the comfort and safety I felt when he was around. I just knew then I wanted to do that." His desire to be that officer has come true as the 11- and 12-year-old D.A.R.E. kids clinged to his every move during an impromptu basketball game before the graduation ceremony. The Thursday afternoon concluded a week of activities including swimming, bowling and rock climbing at the YMCA. "They love being here, with other kids and around us," Marshall said. Officer L. Aubin is one of the original D.A.R.E. officers from when the program started 11 years ago. "We had to do something in the summer to keep ourselves occupied as well as the kids," he said. The free camp has come a long way since its beginning, and Aubin brags that the number of kids participating has greatly increased. The retired patrolman of 30 years feels like D.A.R.E. gives him the opportunity to go one on one with kids. "This is a reward for me," he said. "I enjoy taking an active role in what these kids become." The "preventive policing method" is what holds the community service division together, and while these officers may not be solving crime, they are taking one step ahead by preventing crime. "You either deal with it now, or you deal with it later," Marshall said, "and it's a lot easier to deal with it now." Amongst the graduating D.A.R.E. kids was Persephone Resendez, 11, who completed her first year in D.A.R.E. camp. "It's great. We get to go swimming, rock climbing and bowling," she said. She never understood about drugs before the camp, but said she now knows that "drugs are bad and will make you sick." Persephone's favorite activity was rock wall climbing at the San Jacinto YMCA, an activity, officers said, caused many kids to overcome their fears. "Most of them were afraid to climb and wanted to quit," Aubin said, "but we wouldn't let them, and they learned how to overcome their fears." The officers stressed the importance of team sports, outdoor activities and competition for building strong bonds between kids. Some of the participants stood out in officers' minds and were given special awards for their extra efforts after the ceremony. Congratulations to red team's Jonathan Beames, green team's Michael Rapoza, blue team's Eric DeLeon and yellow team's Erica Santillan. The top honor was awarded to Michael Honea for his overall efforts out of all the D.A.R.E. teams. D.A.R.E. camps are made possible by community sponsors that include the Pasadena Volunteer Fire Department, Shipley Donuts at 3933 Spencer Highway, Subway at 907 East Southmore, Mitchello's Pizza and Pasta at 1900 A. Southmore and many more. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens