Community seeks to keep
DARE officer in schools
By takesha Pettus
Staff Writer

SAYREVILLE — There were nothing but accolades from residents in support of keeping a local police officer in a drug education program.

Parents, students, teachers and Board of Education members filled Borough Council chambers last Wednesday in support of Sayreville police Sgt. Bill Myers.

Myers works part time visiting fifth-grade students at Sayreville Middle School, Our Lady of Victories and St. Stanislaus schools teaching Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE). He has been teaching the program to middle school students for more than 10 years now.

Recently Myers announced that he would no longer be teaching the program. Instead, he has been reassigned from the detective bureau to the road division.

According to Chief of Police John Garbowski, he was reassigned because there is a greater need for manpower in the road division.

Although residents appealed to the Borough Council, the council can only suggest that Garbowski change an internal personnel decision that he has made.

Many of the residents who spoke at the meeting had high praise for Myers and for his dedication and efforts.

Sayreville Middle School teacher Claire Craft said students have learned to love Myers and view him as a role model in the community.

Board of Education President Kevin Ciak, who was present at the meeting, said he supported keeping Myers in the program.

"The only way you can have continuity is through a supportive, constant staff," said Ciak.

Myers’ son, Timothy, also spoke to the council in support of his father.

"My father loves working with the students," said Timothy Myers.

Instead of moving him into the road division, Timothy suggested that perhaps others on the force be moved to the road division.

Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-19th) said part of the DARE program’s success was due to Myers.

Wisniewski said his office has received numerous calls about keeping Myers on as DARE officer since the announcement was first made early last week.

Wisniewski agreed with most of Myers’ supporters who said reassigning him would send a bad message to residents.

Myers will now oversee the DARE program, which teaches a total of 18 classes among the three schools. Two other officers will work at the three schools teaching DARE, Garbowski said.