New DARE vehicle arrives in Wellington
by Amber Schmitz, Sumner Newscow — Seeing a need for the department, as well as the community, Officer James Yunker approached Police Chief Tracy Heath about purchasing a vehicle for the local D.A.R.E. program.
“I was trying to find a way to purchase a vehicle, so I talked to Sheriff Chambers, and he donated the vehicle,” Yunker said.
Yunker is the School Resource Officer, as well as a patrol officer, and is in charge of the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), S.A.D.D. (Students Against Destructive Decisions) and S.A.F.E. (Seatbelts Are For Everyone) programs within the Wellington school district.
The 2007 Dodge Durango has 108,000 miles on it, and was previously a Sheriff’s patrol vehicle, but had to be faded out due to high mileage.
“Chief and I came up with the design, then Mighty Wrap in Wichita did it,” Yunker said. “It was paid for out of the D.A.R.E. fund.”
Yunker said he hopes the vehicle will increase visibility of the program and social interactions beyond the parade. D.A.R.E. is essentially for fifth grade students, but this will allow more social interation within the community.
“It will add to not only the police department, but the city of Wellington, and be an advocate for safety and education regarding abuse and violence,” Yunker said.
The police department received the vehicle in April, and have been waiting on light and console installation. Dick Goodrum of Emergency Fire Equipment in Mayfield, installed the red and blue lights, as the sheriff’s department uses his services. Once the console arrives, Goodrum will install it, and the Durango will be ready for patrol duty. Yunker said that he literally just picked up the vehicle prior to the Wheat Festival parade on Friday.
“I think by having it in the parade, it has a huge positive outcome,” Yunker said. “Specialized vehicles increase the solidity of the program. It’s been proven throught the Department of Justice, if you patrol in specialized vehicles, it helps in handling special circumstances or problems, not necessarily crime, but kids look at the vehicles, and it makes a positive impact on them. It will aid in criminal instances, D.A.R.E. Camp, Service Day, and different school functions throughout the year.”
The D.A.R.E. Dodge Durango will become Yunker’s personal police cruiser, which he will drive to his office at Wellington High School daily. He will also patrol in the vehicle, and yes, can arrest people while driving the vehicle.
“It will be a good, positive thing that kids will really like to be involved in and be part of,” Yunker said. “I think it will serve well. The high school kids are even going to love it.”
