The Dartmouth Police D.A.R.E Program was revamped in 1993 and is headed by Lt. Ken Cotta . Lt. Cotta has been instrumental in developing a program second to none for the students of Dartmouth and remains a model for other area police departments.
Not only have certified D.A.R.E Officers taught the D.A.R.E program within Dartmouth Public Schools and Pre Schools, but have been instrumental in the formulation of extremely successful "after hours" programs and functions, which include but are not limited to the following:
"Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs": A community wide Fishing Tounament Extremely successful and extremly well attended each year with over 600 children participating to date. Children are taught the techniques of fishing by our voluteering Police Officers and other adult volunteers. The program is highlighted by a "Fishing Derby Day" where door prizes and trophies are awarded for different catagories as well as a picnic lunch for kids, parents, and everyone involved!
"Dartmouth High School Drug & Alcohol Free After Prom Party":
The Dartmouth High Senior Class has an alcoholic & drug free after prom party to attend at the High School. The party lasts until dawn with dancing & prizes on each hour. Each student attending must be picked up by a parent in order to leave the party and once they have left the party are not able to return to ensure no alcohol or drugs will be consumed. The highlight of the evening, for those who attend until closing, is the drawing of a winner for a used auotmobile!
"D.A.R.E to Vote "NO" on Drugs & Violence": A program which involves all the Dartmouth Schools, parents & teachers, taking an active part in say "No" to drugs and alcohol and assiting in sending the message to the student body, teaching them the dangers and risks of each.
Sadly, due to Police Departmental budget constraints, the Dartmouth Police D.A.R.E. teaching program within our schools is on hold until future funding becomes available to resume the program. In the meantime, those officers who were D.A.R.E. teachers within the schools have been reassigned within the Uniform Divison to help with our understaffing and patrol assignments.
We remain hopeful that our D.A.R.E. program will be back soon within the schools, but we still maintain deticated to the programs and events named above.
