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PERSONNEL, FUNDS KEEP PROGRAM OUT OF SCHOOLS

While Milford, Utica, Staplehurst and Malcolm fifth and sixth graders are graduating from Drug Abuse Resistance Education ( DARE ) programs this year, students at Seward Middle and St.  John Lutheran schools won't. 

Why? Because neither the Seward Police Department or the Seward County Sheriff's Office is teaching the course in the Seward schools. 

Speaking as a citizen, Dan Nantkes told the Seward City Council April 19 that the Seward Police Department needed to step up. 

"It's their turn," Nantkes said. 

The Seward Sheriff's Office is currently teaching the DARE curriculum at Centennial and St.  Paul Lutheran schools in Utica and at Our Redeemer Lutheran in Staplehurst.  Milford's DARE officer covers the Milford School District. 

About a year ago, Sheriff Joe Yocum asked the council to direct the Seward Police Department to begin teaching DARE in Seward again.  The sheriff's department had covered the Seward schools for about five years in an arrangement that started out as only one year. 

"We helped the police department out.  It was supposed to be temporary," Yocum said April 25. 

Yocum said he had met with Seward Police Chief Alan Baldwin and City Administrator Dan Berlowitz last year about the possibility of the Seward Police Department taking the reins on the program again. 

"Dan said with the annexation ( south of Seward ) and lack of personnel, he didn't know if the city could do the DARE program," Yocum said. 

At the time of Yocum's request, Baldwin asked if the department could provide a school resource officer instead, giving the department a positive presence in the school system.  The council agreed. 

"The school resource officer didn't happen," Nantkes said April 19. 

Baldwin said April 25 that the Seward Police had spent more than 90 hours in the Seward school system teaching various courses at all levels between Oct.  1 and April 1.  Among the topics discussed were the role of the police officer, drinking and driving and driver's education.  In addition, officers ate lunch at the elementary. 

One of the concerns Baldwin expressed about the DARE program was the cost associated with it.  Nantkes said the materials cost about $1,300, but added that the program is self-sufficient.  Funds may be available through the Seward County Drug Task Force, he said. 

Yocum said fundraisers and donations have funded the program since it began in 1991.  The golf tournament, for example, raised enough money to buy supplies for DARE students across the county. 

Baldwin said the salary and overtime costs accrued during the training session are where his concerns lie.  Each day of training includes about 12 hours of activities, so the DARE officer trainee would amass overtime very quickly. 

In addition, the costs of covering the trainees' shifts would also be included.  Baldwin said the city's overtime is paid in money, where sheriff's deputies may receive compensation time. 

Neither the city nor the county budgets include line items specifically for DARE. 

Another police concern was the number of hours required for the program.  Nantkes said DARE would need about six hours per week.  He said the police department has two officers plus Baldwin available during school hours. 

"The only cost is the amount of time," Yocum said. 

The nine-week program requires 50 to 55 minutes per lesson.  The number of classes taught would determine the number of hours needed. 

Baldwin said scheduling the necessary hours would be possible without getting into overtime. 

Berlowitz said the city police stopped teaching DARE because of the department turnover and the costs, while the sheriff's office had two officers already trained and in place.  One of the requirements for becoming a DARE officer is to have been a sworn police officer for two years. 

Baldwin reminded the council that in 2004, its consensus was for the police department to not send an officer for the DARE training. 

"It's still an issue of personnel," he said.  "The individual is supposed to volunteer to be the DARE officer."

He said none of the police officers had volunteered for the position. 

"My belief is that the DARE structure is too rigid for the officers," Baldwin said. 

He and another officer have gone through the DARE officer training but would need to be recertified before they could teach the program again.  Baldwin said he has considered taking the position, but his bosses have told him no because it would take away from his duties as chief. 

Yocum said he thought the program should be reinstituted in the Seward schools.  In addition to teaching students how to stay away from drugs, the program "also creates a rapport in a nonthreatening situation," he said. 

While Baldwin supports the ideas and principles of the DARE program, he said its concepts can be taught through other activities. 

The police department has moved away from DARE in an effort to provide more core services to the city.  In addition to normal police work, the city police will now be conducting coronor calls within the city limits.  Baldwin also cited the increased geography and population in the city after its annexation of the area south of Walker Manufacturing. 

After discussion, the council voted 5-1 to move toward reinstating the DARE program with the following stipulations-keep records of costs and reimbursements, receive approval and support from the school district and have a sincere volunteer from the police department.  Councilmem-ber Tony Vrana cast the dissenting vote. 

"I don't feel comfortable with the council mandating without the support of the department," Vrana said.