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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />JULY 15, 2002 <br />Altendorfer pointed out that it is difficult to quantify the effectiveness of any crime <br />prevention program. <br />Fahey stated that he is reacting to the information being put out by DARE America, <br />and indicated that if a program is not effective, it should be scraped and redesigned. <br />Altendorfer again compared the measurement of the effectiveness of crime <br />prevention activities with that of DARE. <br />Fahey stated that he would assume that when programs such as Neighborhood Watch <br />are administered effectively, they have a direct impact on crime statistics. Fahey <br />noted, however, that DARE America is raising doubts about the effectiveness of <br />DARE versus other prevention programs. <br />Altendorfer pointed out that DA12E is not astand-along program, but rather a spoke <br />in a wheel. Altendorfer indicated that there is not a better program out there covering <br />the community-oriented piece. <br />Thein reported that with regard to the School District's decision relative to ranking <br />,DARE as its third priority, that was a financial decision and not a program decision. <br />Peterson indicated that DARE is a part of a system thaC incorporates multiple <br />messengers. While SRO's perform a function, DARE officers in the classroom do as <br />well. <br />Fahey stated that he had a big problem with the equity of the Sheriff's Department's <br />tnancial assistance to Shoreview and Arden Hills. It was noted that Chese dollars are <br />coming from DARE and not specifcally the Sheriff's Department. Peterson reported <br />that the Sheriff's Department will continue its fund-raising efforts to replenish the <br />DARE fund- Altendorfer again stated that the offer was made to ensure that DARE is <br />funded to the full level for another year. <br />Scalze pointed out the budget constraints that Little Canada has. She also indicated <br />that she understands DARE's role in the elementary school, and asked if the <br />effectiveness of that efFoirt is lost if DARE is not continued into middle school. <br />Peterson reported that ideally DARE should continue on in both the middle school <br />and the high school Peterson felt that a disservice would be done to elementary <br />school children if the program were taken away. <br />Moore indicated that the role of DARE olTcers and SRO's are different, indicated <br />that an SRO is similar to a bouncer in a school Moore felt SRO's were reactive, <br />while DARE officers are proactive. <br />