Pubdate: Fri, 02 Jan 2004 Source: Torrington Telegram, The (WY) Contact: http://www.torringtontelegram.com Author: Sarah Felton Cited: DARE www.dare.com Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.) Note: Torrington will host state DARE convention summer 2004 DARE CAR TO HIT THE STREETS The Goshen County DARE Program will soon have an interesting way of promoting their cause. A new vehicle has joined other county patrol cars, but rather than sporting the Police Department logo, the car will instead be soley known as "the DARE Car." "We've always had the idea," said Sgt. Jeff Lamm of the Torrington Police Department, who also serves as the school resource officer. "It's one of the things that a lot of DARE programs do - they get a fancy or unusual car, to use other than a patrol car." The car, a 1992 Lexus ES 300, was donated by Tony Bazzi, owner of C&B's Wilderness Sports. "I love kids and I always care about them," Bazzi, a seven-year resident of Torrington, said. "I love this town, and the people are very friendly and helpful. Everybody's supposed to help each other, and I know that the kids need help. I did it for them." Various businesses around Torrington have helped to prepare the car for its new position. The car's transformation began with work donated by Cool Customs Body Shop "Cool Customs did some body work on it," Lamm said. "They repaired some dents and scratches, then spray painted it black." New wheels for the car were donated by Heilbrun's NAPA Auto Parts, and were put on the vehicle by Larry Orr of Orr's Alignment. "Right now it's just plain black, but Ridge Avery, from Laramie, will be donating graphics for it in a few months," Lamm said. "We will send a picture of the car down to him, and he will come up with three or four designs for it and send them back." The final design will be chosen by Lamm and Police Chief Billy Janes. The Lexus will also be equipped with emergency lights purchased by the DARE program. "It will be equipped to be a regular patrol car if needed," Lamm added. DARE is a nation-wide program that focuses on decision-making and choices. According to Lamm, it "works on building confidence and problem solving skills," while also encouraging children to avoid alcohol, tobacco and other kinds of drugs. The car will be used throughout the county, as the DARE program is taught in Torrington, Lingle and Southeast. "It can be used by whoever needs it," Lamm said. "Like if they want to set it up in front of the school, and for other open ideas." The vehicle comes to the Goshen County DARE program at the perfect time, as the State DARE Convention will be held in Torrington during the summer of 2004. "The car will be out there a lot, " Lamm said. "And it will be used whenever we have a DARE function." There are several DARE cars currently in use in Wyoming, and all through the United States. Information on all of the cars can be viewed at the DARE Program web site, www.dare.com. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin