The Alternative Press

Officers from the Summit Police Department Community Policing Unit, along with several Summit High School staff members, recently attended this year’s New Jersey DARE Conference.   The focus of the event was training attendees on school safety, school violence response, cyber-bullying, and internet safety along as well as recent updates on combatting drug use. 

2013 marks the twentieth anniversary of the DARE program in Summit, whose aim is to encourage children to make healthy choices with regard to the avoidance of drugs, alcohol and violence.   The program is taught throughout the year to fifth grade students in the public elementary schools and is sponsored by the Summit PAL.  Summit Police Chief Robert Weck, who attended the Conference along with Summit Police Officers Charles Daley and Ryan Stanek, and Juvenile Detective Matthew Buntin, noted that his department “is absolutely committed to the goals of the DARE program and the continued training of our officers.”  He also stressed “the importance of the relationship between the police department, students, parents, and teachers, in dealing with these difficult issues” and thanked the Summit PAL for their continued support.