Officer Jeffrey Crotty has been certified as a DARE Mentor. He now trains new DARE Officers in New York State. He was certified in Richmond, Virginia in June of 1997 by the DARE Eastern Regional Training Team. Officer Crotty taught his first DOT (DARE OFFICER TRAINING) in January of 1998 in Buffalo, NY. 42 new DARE Officers completed training, brining the number to 928 Officers in New York State.
Officer Peter Casertino joined the Glens Falls Police D.A.R..E in 2002. Officer Casertino has been
a member of the Glens Falls Police Department since January 1997.
The Glens Falls Police Drug Abuse Resistance Education Unit was formed in 1995. Officer Jeffrey Crotty was the first Glens Falls Police D.A.R.E. Officer, certified in February 1995.
The Glens Falls Police D.A.R.E. Unit is affiliated with the New York State D.A.R.E. Officers Association and the National D.A.R.E. Officers Association. All officers are active member of both organizations.
The D.A.R.E. Unit is operated solely by community sponsorship. The Glens Falls Kiwanis Club, The Glens Falls Rotary Club, Finch Pruyn & Co., Red Lobster Of Queensbury, Glens Falls Television Productions, Guess Limousine Service and The Eagles Club are some of the proud supporters of this program.
The D.A.R.E. Unit is involved in various extracurricular activities provided for D.A.R.E. Students. An annual Hockey Night is sponsored by the D.A.R.E. Unit at the Glens Falls Civic Center for American Hockey League action. This is the home facility for the Adirondack Red Wings. All students attend free of charge courtesy of D.A.R.E. Glens Falls. An end of the year barbecue for all D.A.R.E. graduates will also become an annual event.
D.A.R.E. students will also be provided an opportunity to participate in the Glens Falls Police Athletic League. This organization is organized and formed through the efforts of Officer Crotty and Officer Casertino, with the assistance of Robert Rizzo, Glens Falls Middle School Health Teacher. Summer camps for community youth and a football league are some of the projected PAL activities.