Hollister Police DARE Program

UNFORTUNATELY DUE TO BUDGET RESTRAINTS, D.A.R.E. PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE. PLEASE CONTINUE TO CHECK FOR UPDATED INFORMATION ON WHEN THESE PROGRAMS WILL AGAIN BECOME AVAILABLE.

"The Hollister Police Department proudly announces the graduation of  two officers from the LAPD D.A.R.E. Officers Training as of December , 2001. Officer Dan Winn and Officer Andrew Tully completed a two week course and became D.A.R.E. certified instructors. These two officers will start teaching D.A.R.E. to the Hollister School District in February , 2002. The officers will join the partnership of the Hollister Police Department and the Hollister School District in educating the youth of Hollister in the prevention of drug use and gang violence."

What is D.A.R.E.?

The Drug Abuse and Resistance Education  program is a collaborative effort by Law enforcement officers, educators, students, and parents to offer a classroom educational program to prevent drug abuse and violence among youth. The program began in Los Angeles, California in 1983 as a joint effort between LAPD and the LA Unified School District and has since spread to several other  countries.  DARE AMERICA, based in Los Angeles, holds the copyright to the D.A.R.E. name and regulates the training certifications and trade name.

Who teaches D.A.R.E.?

The 17 week curriculum is taught in grade 5  by police officers. Officers receive intensive training to enable them to effectively teach in the classroom. In the selection of officers, great emphasis is placed on human relations and communications. Having police officers teach this program helps foster good relations between the police and youths in the community. While in the classroom, the D.A.R.E. instructor has two main goals:

• Educate the students on the negative impact illegal drugs can have on their lives

• Help students build their self-esteem and resist peer pressure

What does the training include?

The 17 one hour sessions focus on:

• Introducing D.A.R.E.

• Understanding the effects of mind-altering drugs

• Considering consequences

• Changing beliefs about drug use

• Learning resistance techniques and ways to say No!

• Building self-esteem

• Learning assertiveness

• Managing stress with taking drugs

• Reducing violence

• Combating media influences on drug use and violence

• Making decisions about risky behavior

• Saying yes to positive alternatives

• Having positive role models

• Resisting gang and group violence

• Summarizing D.A.R.E. lessons

The teaching techniques include the use of visual aids, role playing with students and positive communication.  The students utilize a workbook and the classes include giveaway items such as T-shirts, pencils, bumper stickers, buttons, rulers, and bookmarks. At the end of the training the students are recognized for their participation in the program.

How can I find out more?

To learn more about D.A.R.E., contact the  Hollister Police Department at 636-4330 or Email the following  police officers:

• NONE AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME

HPD's Car

In 1998, a new Ford Mustang was purchased from Tiffany Ford for use in an undercover sting at San Benito High School. The vehicle was to pass as the personal car of HPD officer Alisse Hinton posing as a high school student. In January of 1999, when the undercover operation was over, the car was returned to the Hollister Police Department.

Although not suited for use as a standard patrol car, it was decided that the vehicle could best be utilized by promoting an anti-drug message through the D.A.R.E. program. Sgt. Greg Thul, D.A.R.E. program instructor, obtained sketches showing all sides of the vehicle and went to his D.A.R.E. students at the local schools to propose a contest. Over 600 students were given the sketches and told to create a design around the D.A.R.E. theme with whatever ideas came to their minds. After two weeks the designs were collected and given to the judges. 

The winning design came from Miss Yadira Zendejas, in Mr. Sam Romas' fifth grade class at R.O. Hardin School. For winning the contest she received a 15 speed mountain bike, donated by Muenzers Sporting Goods. In addition, the entire class was treated to a pizza party to share in her celebration. Local Hollister businesses then stepped in to make Miss Zendejas' ideas a reality.

• Mr. Marlin Moss of Moss Signs in Hollister donated all of the art work, painting and lettering on the vehicle.
• Bob Cain, owner of San Benito Tire, donated the fancy wheels and tires.
• RCI Mobile Communications donated all of the labor, radios, and emergency lighting for the car. 
• The red and blue light bar was donated by Federal Signal Corporation.

The results are the car you see above. The whole process from start to finish took about two months. We are very proud of the Hollister Police Department D.A.R.E. Car, and of Yadira Zendejas who drew the winning design. 

Since its completion, the car has been in parades, and shown at numerous events in Hollister and other cities in the area. We plan to show the car, at car shows and other events whenever possible.

The car is driven by the D.A.R.E. officers from time to time during their duties.