DARE Officer Louis Alvarez gives Chief Assistant DA James Farrell a test drive

LIVINGSTON MANOR -- The message was clear to the students of Livingston Manor Central School, especially to the fifth graders of Sgt. Luis Alvarez s’ D.A.R.E. class: Don’t use drugs! That point was echoed by fellow D.A.R.E. officers, Corporal Cheryl Crumley, and Deputy Peter Ramos as Sullivan County Sheriff Michael Schiff and Chief Assistant District Attorney James Farrell unveiled the county’s new DARE car, a 1998 Chevy Corvette that was confiscated from a notorious local drug dealer.

Bradley Dunham, also known by his street name, “Cash Crew”, was arrested September 8, 2007 as he sold crack cocaine on the streets of Livingston Manor.

The vehicle was forfeited to the Sheriff’s Office when he was convicted. After being used briefly as an undercover police car, it was converted into a marked police car sporting the universally recognized DARE emblem.

The new paint job is courtesy of the students of Sullivan County BOCES, and the county DPW.

“Nothing sends a stronger message to children involved in the DARE program than this DARE car,” said Schiff. “The DARE program among many things, teaches our children about making choices. The lesson here is that the former owner of this vehicle made some poor choices that landed him in jail for six years, while the police drive his car.”