News

Donations allow DARE to continue

The Republican - January 2009

SOUTHWICK - Residents John J. Waitt and Tracy J. Root believe in the Police Department's efforts to sway youngsters away from drugs and other bad decisions.

So, when the DARE program was suspended at Powder Mill Middle School and Woodland School last month for financial reasons, they stepped up and donated the necessary funding to keep the program alive for the rest of this school year.

In the meantime, the Police Department continues to look for funds that will support DARE in the future. The program has been offered in Southwick schools for the past 18 years.

"It is a small price to pay for such an important program," Waitt said of the $1,900 he donated to DARE. "Kids (programs) have been cut enough and this particular program goes far beyond drugs: It shows youngsters the hazard of making the wrong choices in life. What is disappointing to me is that the town fails to recognize the fact that these kids, those who benefit from such programs, represent our future."

Waitt also credited DARE officer Sgt. Kevin A. Bishop as an asset to the town of Southwick. "He is serious and cares about youngsters in town but doesn't always get the recognition he deserves," Waitt said.

Donating to the town is nothing new for Waitt. In March 2007 he provided the funding for state-of-the-art security cameras and equipment at the town's three schools. School officials said the project cost at least $20,000. Waitt is president of IBS Electronics and Security of Springfield.

Tracy agreed, saying, "this is a great program that needs to keep going. I have grandchildren and one is in the program in Connecticut. The program is worth trying to save. I do things like that."

Bishop and Sgt. Kirk H. Sanders teach DARE curriculum that has expanded in recent years to include a focus on ways to show children the impact of bad choices on their lives. Bishop's instruction is aimed at grade five students at Powder Mill School while Sanders instructs at Woodland Elementary School.

Bishop's weekly sessions are directed at 170 youngsters while Sanders meets with as many as 700 children in grades one through four at the elementary school.

The two officers say they "believe in DARE" because its curriculum has expanded and they have the opportunity to "hopefully" have a positive influence on children's lives.

While funding in recent years has been difficult, Bishop and Sanders have raised funds for various programs involving school-aged youngsters through their Youth Challenge Program. The Police Department also used state funding through Community Policing Grants to help support DARE and other projects.

Police Chief Mark J. Krynicki said last week Southwick has received a new round of Community Policing funds in the amount of $13,700 that will allow DARE to continue through this year.

"The town cut funding for this program last year to allow the creation of an additional patrolman for the department," the chief said. "I had planned to use Community Policing funds for DARE but then that was cut. But today we received notice of $13,700 from the Community Police program.

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