The ballot initiative would provide $100,000 a year to assign DARE officers to the district's four elementary schools. Currently, a DARE officer is stationed only at the junior high school.

The elementary program was phased out this year after state funding was lost and the city's federal COPS in Schools grant expired. In January, residents spoke out in favor of the program, which is administered through the city's police department.

"It's absolutely worth it," said Diane Rau, whose son Kyle, 8, will enter third grade this fall at Central Elementary. "He's young yet, so we're still teaching him all the values in life he'll need. But those values also have to be projected at the schools."

A vote for DARE would cost local homeowners $25 in taxes per each $100,000 of assessed valuation.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

SUBMIT A COMMENT:

Note: Comments are now held for moderator approval. More info

Name:
Comment: (limit 250 words)
Enter this word (help):	Change

GUIDELINES: 
Please keep comments on-topic, courteous, clean, non-commercial, and within the word limit.
Read the complete guidelines