For Immediate Release

Friday, Oct. 20, 2017

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Groveland Police Department Reinstates D.A.R.E. Program at Elementary School

GROVELAND — Chief Jeffrey T. Gillen is pleased to announce that the Groveland Police Department is bringing its Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program back to the Dr. Elmer S. Bagnall Elementary School to help prepare students to make responsible decisions in their adult lives.

Detective Josh Sindoni completed two weeks of D.A.R.E. training with the New Hampshire Fire Academy in Concord on Oct. 6. He is now certified to teach the D.A.R.E. curriculum, which addresses drug use, violence, bullying, internet safety and other issues that impact students’ lives.

The D.A.R.E. program was in place at the Bagnall Elementary School from 1993 to 2006 under the leadership of Lt. Dwight McDonald, but the program was halted due to lack of funding. In January, Detective Sindoni, who also serves as the School Resource Officer, will reinstate D.A.R.E, visiting students in first through sixth grades once a week.

“We wanted to bring the D.A.R.E. program back to the Bagnall School because the Groveland Police Department is committed to fostering a strong relationship between students and police officers, and our goal is to help students make responsible decisions throughout their lives,” Chief Gillen said. “Detective Sindoni is the perfect person to run this program. He has already established a positive rapport with students, faculty and parents, and I have no doubt he will excel in this role.”

###