D.A.S.H.

D.A.S.H. stands for Drug free, Alcohol free, Safe and Healthy. Dash is an initiative developed by the police department, local businesses and organizations, and community members. The purpose of DASH is to raise awareness for healthy youth initiatives in Watertown. DASH partners are community members that want to give our youth the opportunity to enjoy a safe and healthy lifestyle. We are reaching out to the community to join our partnership and help raise the bar, set a good example, and raise money to support the Watertown youth. No greater good can be done by helping children live happy and fulfilling lives. The mission of DASH is “To challenge community partnerships to lead by example and to empower Watertown youth to choose to live healthy and positive lifestyles.” Kids learn by the examples and expectations set for them by family and society. It seems that on a national level we have developed the social norm that “kids will be kids” when it comes to alcohol and even marijuana use as if it is a “rite of passage”. As a community, we need to focus on changing that social norm and look at what we can do to protect the health and safety of our youth.. The Watertown Police Department along with community partners like the Watertown Healthy Youth Coalition want to stop this trend. A “DASH board” committee has been formed to develop youth programs that will provide positive activities and education to Watertown children. Please join this initiative and help raise the bar for youth and empower them to make safe and healthy choices. All donations will be funded through the Watertown Community Foundation for youth programs and events in our community.

D.A.S.H. stands for Drug free, Alcohol free, Safe and Healthy. Dash is an initiative developed by the police department, local businesses and organizations, and community members. The purpose of DASH is to raise awareness for healthy youth initiatives in Watertown. DASH partners are community members that want to give our youth the opportunity to enjoy a safe and healthy lifestyle. We are reaching out to the community to join our partnership and help raise the bar, set a good example, and raise money to support the Watertown youth. No greater good can be done by helping children live happy and fulfilling lives.

The mission of DASH is “To challenge community partnerships to lead by example and to empower Watertown youth to choose to live healthy and positive lifestyles.” Kids learn by the examples and expectations set for them by family and society. It seems that on a national level we have developed the social norm that “kids will be kids” when it comes to alcohol and even marijuana use as if it is a “rite of passage”. As a community, we need to focus on changing that social norm and look at what we can do to protect the health and safety of our youth.. The Watertown Police Department along with community partners like the Watertown Healthy Youth Coalition want to stop this trend. A “DASH board” committee has been formed to develop youth programs that will provide positive activities and education to Watertown children.

Please join this initiative and help raise the bar for youth and empower them to make safe and healthy choices. All donations will be funded through the Watertown Community Foundation for youth programs and events in our community.

You can donate to the DASH Initiative below, anytime, with a credit/debit card. Through PayPal, it's quick, secure and convienent. If you’d like to donate with cash or a check, please stop by or send your donation to the Watertown Police Department at 128 N Maple St, Attn: Michelle Jensen.

DASH Initiative

By Brian Matthews
Public Opinion Staff Writer

Members of the Watertown Police Department and the community are dropping their doughnuts and training for Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth to show support for the Drug Free, Alcohol Free, Safe and Healthy Program, a program designed to bring awareness to youth and raise money for police department youth programs.

“Each step we take in the race will represent empowering a youth to live a healthy and safe lifestyle,” Detective Sergeant Tim Toomey said.

The Watertown School District utilizes data from the Search Institute’s “Profile on Students: Attitudes and Behaviors Survey” to help drug and alcohol awareness locally. The survey assesses high-risk behaviors including, alcohol, tobacco and other drug use as well as identifying the positive choices that teens make to help them succeed. According to the 2010 Search Survey, drugs and alcohol use has increased as much as 15 percent nationally in recent years. In 2011, the Police Department conducted a survey, which showed that 82 percent of parents were concerned with children being exposed to illegal drugs and 48 percent said that underage consumption of alcohol was a significant process.

“I have been with the Watertown Police Department since 1999,” Toomey said. “During that time I have dedicated myself to be an advocate for children. It seems that on a national level we have developed the social norm that “kids will be kids” when it comes to alcohol and even marijuana use as if it is a right of passage. As a community, we need to focus on changing that social norm and look at what we can do to protect the health and safety of our youth.”

Toomey along with Captain Tracy Schaefer, the Watertown Healthy Youth collation and members of the community organized the DASH program as a way to address the drug and alcohol problem among the Watertown youth. The mission of DASH is “to challenge community partnerships to lead by example and to empower Watertown youth to chose to live healthy and positive lifestyles.”
Toomey said the initiative is designed to raise the bar for youth and to empower them to make safe and healthy choices. The DASH Initiative has a committee that meets to develop Police Department youth programs that will provide positive activities and education to Watertown children.

“If there is one thing that I have learned throughout my career it’s that kids learn by example and the expectations set for them by family and society,” Toomey said. “We want to recognize those kids who make positive choices and promote goal setting and accomplishments through safe and healthy programs.”

The DASH board and the Watertown Community Foundation hopes to raise five to eight thousand dollars to go towards developing youth programs. To do this the police department is asking for help from local businesses and the community to help raise money. The runner’s running Grandma’s Marathon are setting an example of goal setting for youth and running in support of the program. A website (www.watertownpd.com/dash) is being created so that people can track the runners through their training and donate to the cause. For more information about the program or how to donate people are encouraged to contact Tim Toomey at 605-882-5238.

“No greater good can be done than helping a child live safe and healthy lives,” Toomey said.

Tim Toomey Tim Toomey was born in Rochester, NY. He is married to Cheri and has two children, Joseph and Katelyn. Tim served his country in the United States Air Force from 1989 to 1993 as an Offensive Avionics Technician on the B1 Bomber. Tim worked as an electrician until joining the police department in 1999. Tim is currently a Detective Sergeant with the Watertown Police Department assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division. Throughout his career he has been an advocate for the young people in our community. He was on the Police reserves until August, 2001 when he became a full time officer. After several years on patrol, Tim was assigned as the School Resource Officer for the Watertown area as well as a DARE instructor. In January, 2007 Tim became a Corporal with the Patrol Division. In August, 2007 Tim was assigned as a Detective with the Criminal Investigation Division. On October 1st, 2008 Tim was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Tim is currently a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children. Tim’s hobbies include hunting, fishing, martial arts, spending time with family and of course running.

Personal quote: “No greater good can be done than helping a child live a safe and healthy life.”

Tracy Schaefer was born and raised in Watertown, SD where he graduated from High School in 1982. He is the son of Tom and Fran Schaefer, also lifelong residents of the Watertown area. After High School, Tracy served four years in the U.S. Air Force as a Security Specialist. He spent two of those years in Azores, Portugal. He began his Law Enforcement career as a Deputy Sheriff in Howard, SD. Tracy started with the Watertown Police Department in 1988 where he continues to work as the Special Operations Captain. He is responsible for organizing any special events that occur in Watertown that involve Law Enforcement, youth programs and activities, supervises the two K-9 Teams and two School Resource Officers, and is the Commander of the SWAT Team. Tracy’s favorite duties involve the opportunities to work with and spend time with kids. One of Tracy’s career highlights was completing the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Leadership Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He is married to Angie and has one daughter, Wendy. Early in his career, Tracy recognized the importance of keeping healthy and fit to perform his duties efficiently. Tracy’s hobbies include hunting, fishing, running, swimming, road bike riding and competing in triathlons. To date, his proudest accomplishment in a triathlon is finishing the Madison, WI Ironman which involved starting with a 2 1/2 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and ended with a 26.2 mile run. Tracy finished 144th out of 2,500 competitors.

Personal favorite quote: "Leave all the afternoon for exercise and recreation, which are as necessary as reading. I will rather say more necessary because health is worth more than learning." Thomas Jefferson

Rick Jacobson was born in Watertown, SD and lived in Clear Lake, SD until the age of eight. He then moved to Denver, CO for about five years. Rick came back to South Dakota and graduated from Aberdeen in 1990. In 1991 he moved to Watertown where he was employed by, Midcom Inc, Dynamic Engineering, and Food Service of America before becoming employed with the City of Watertown Street Department. Rick served in the National Guard (740th Transportation Unit) in Milbank SD from 1993-1999. Rick has been a mentor in the Kids Hope USA program and with the youth programs at his church. In his spare time, he enjoys waterfowl hunting, riding motorcycle, lifting weights and running. Rick has run two marathons (Medtronic and Grandmas). He is married to Lorie and they have three sons.

Inspiration: To walk and run with Jesus Christ.

Todd Swenson is a native of Watertown, SD. He is married to Tracey and they have two children and one granddaughter. Todd is currently serving in the Army Reserve as a training instructor and has recently returned from his second mobilization. He is also a former member of the Codington County Search and Dive Rescue squad were he was trained as a rescue diver. He and his family also have a parking lot striping and sweeping business that they operate part-time. Todd is working for the Watertown Street Department where he has been for the past 21 years and is currently responsible for the maintenance of the signal lights and street signs in the city of Watertown. He started running at the age of 40 and has run 5 marathons so far. Todd’s hobbies consist of attending Nascar races, running, and working on cars.

Student Survey - This is a breakdown of compiled survey results detailing substance abuse and activities of Watertown youth over several years time

Promotional Brochure - This is a copy of one of the promotional materials, in electronic format.

$500 or more
Sharp’s
Little Blessings Daycare
Custom Fabricators
Family Dental Center
HyVee
Prairie Lakes Hospital

$250 or more
Wurth Electronics Midcom
Diamond Vogel Paints
Reliabank
Dacotah Bank
Hoftiezer Real Estate
Watertown Dental Care

$100 or more
Del-Mar Upholstery
RV’s and More
Fred Frost
Bridgeway Counseling
First Bank & Trust
Office Peeps
Watertown Community Rec Center
Benchmark Foam
VFW Post 750
The Realty Team
Sanford Health
T & J Parking Lot Maintenance

Other Donations
Coke - furnishes our events with drinks
Culligan Water - furnishes our events with water

View some of our Sponser Logos below!

You can now purchase DASH T-shirts from the Watertown Police Department for $10. This money is put directly into the DASH fund.

Updated T-shirt front:

Updated Back:

Winner of the 2012 DASH Scholarship was
Nicole Ellis

$500
Watertown D.A.SH
Scholarship Application Instructions/Eligibility/Criteria

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Instructions:
Please read this section carefully.
Failure to follow all instructions may result in disqualification for the scholarship.

Complete the Scholarship Application.
Attach an essay stating how the scholarship would benefit you, what it would mean to you to be awarded this scholarship, and why you think it is important for Watertown youth to stay drug free, alcohol free, and live a safe and healthy life.
Attach a complete high school transcript with cumulative grade point averages and class standing/rank.
Do not alter or adjust this form.
Application deadline is May 1st. Applications postmarked after this date will not be considered.
Return the application packet to:

Watertown Police Department
ATTN: DASH
128 N. Maple St.
Watertown, SD 57201
Phone: (605) 882-5238.
Email: mjensen@watertownpd.com

ELIGIBILITY

All applicants and recipients must be a graduating high school senior within Codington County.
All applicants must be in good academic standing and have a minimum Grade Point Average of 3.0.
Students applying for the scholarship must also be attending a college or university in the coming academic year with an interest in health or a civil service related field.
Applicant names will be removed and reviewed by the DASH Board and narrowed down to the top 10.
A selected community member chosen by the DASH Board will review the top 10 applications and choose the scholarship recipient.

CRITERIA FOR SCHOLARSHIP

The scholarship is awarded based on one or more of the following criteria: financial need, academic achievement, involvement in organizations, involvement in community, or community service projects.

QUESTIONS

Contact: Michelle Jensen
Phone: (605) 882-5238 ext. 7
Email: mjensen@watertownpd.com

Download the Scholarship form HERE.

DASH EVENTS PLANNED FOR 2013

Fundraising for 2013 began on March 1st
A Safety Patrol trip to Washington Pavilion will take place during school hours on May 3rd
A Spring Dance with the K9 Program will be hosted for 4th, 5th and 6th graders on May 3rd at the Middle School
A Radio-a-thon will be held the 2nd week in May-more information to come
The 2nd Annual Fun Run for Kindergarten-8th graders will be held on May 11th at the high school/middle school track
A $500 Scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior attending college
A 5K/10K for adults and kids will be held in July-more information to come
A Kids Triathlon with the Rec Center will be held on August 10th
DARE will be introduced to 5th graders in August when school resumes
A Halloween Dance/Costume Contest with the K9 Program will be hosted for 4th, 5th and 6th graders-more information to come
GPL Turkey DASH (formerly known as the Hiedemann Turkey Run) will be taken over by DASH and Great Plains Lutheran to promote a healthy activity/tradition for families to participate in and will take place on Thanksgiving Day morning at Great Plains Lutheran on November 28th

DASH EVENTS HOSTED IN 2012

Hosted a dance with K9 Drug Program for 4th, 5th and 6th graders on 02-24-12.
Hosted a dance with K9 Drug Program for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders on03-23-12.
Began fundraising in March 2012 and have received $6,600.00 in donations this year from businesses, organizations and community members. With the proceeds from the dances and T-shirt sales along with the grant from the Youth Council we reached our goal and earned $11,000 in 2012.
Received a grant from the Watertown Community Foundation Youth Council for $1,500 to go towards educational materials to reduce alcohol and drug use among youth in our community. DASH will be working with the school district to get officers back in the schools to teach kids about alcohol and drug awareness.
Hosted a Fun Run for Kindergarten-8th graders on 05-19-12 and had 58 kids participate. Activities included 50-100 yard dashes, 200-400-800 meter runs, softball throw, obstacle course, push-ups and sit-ups.
Funded the Safety Patrol trip to Washington Pavillion to thank them for their services throughout the school year to help keep the kids safe while crossing the roadways at school.
Gave $100 donation to Kegs for Christ to support their graduation party without drugs or alcohol.
Gave a $500 scholarship to Nicole Ellis to pursue her career in Dentistry at SDSU in honor of her belief in DASH and her success throughout her high school years to remain drug and alcohol free.
Participated in the Tour DeKota on 06-20-12 at the Redlin Center and handed out bicycle helmets and water bottles that were donated by SD Highway Safety and various other gifts that were donated by local businesses.
Hosted “Dash to Kampeska” 5K/10K/Mile Walk on 07-21-12 and had 42 participants (adults and kids).
Hosted the Kids Triathlon with the FOP and Rec Center on 08-11-12 and had 40 kids participate that were between the ages of 7 and 12.
Hosted a Halloween Dance with the K9 Drug Program for 4th, 5th and 6th graders on 10-26-12.
Hosted a Halloween Monster Dash (Mile Run) and Halloween Party with the Rec Center’s 5K on 10-27-12.
Hosted a free Movie Event at Odyssey 5 Theatre on 11-17-12.