Date: Fri 13-Aug-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

police-Dana-Schubert-youth

Full Text:

Youth Officer Looks Forward To Community Involvement

(with photo)

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

Dana Schubert's task at hand is simply stated, but its implications are

manifold.

As the police department's new youth officer, Officer Schubert explains he

will work to maintain and improve the quality of life for the children and

families of Newtown.

A major component of his work as youth officer will involve teaching the Drug

Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program to fifth-grade students at Hawley

School, Sandy Hook School, Head O' Meadow School, Middle Gate School and St

Rose School. The DARE program trains elementary school children to develop

self-esteem to resist peer group pressure to use drugs.

Officer Schubert replaces Doug Wisentaner as youth officer. Officer Wisentaner

has returned to the police department's patrol division.

"In DARE, you teach them right from wrong," Officer Schubert said, adding that

the program is designed to teach children judgment skills so that they have

the knowledge with which to make the right decisions.

"I'll be reviewing all juvenile reports that come in, reviewing situations and

making referrals," he said. Under state law, juveniles are children under age

16, and they are treated differently in the eyes of the law than older people.

As youth officer, Officer Schubert will work with the police department's

school resource officer who specializes in law enforcement topics involving

children in grades 6 through 12. The school resource officer post is currently

vacant due to Christopher Vanghele's recent promotion to the rank of sergeant.

In the coming weeks, Officer Schubert, a Newtown resident for the past 18

years, will be visiting the schools, meeting the students, families, teachers

and administrators with whom he will interact as youth officer. He said he

wants families to know the youth officer is available to help them.

There are many activities available for youths in Newtown, he said, adding

that part of his job involves publicizing the local services for youth.

As youth officer, Officer Schubert will be attached to the detective bureau.

He formerly worked as a patrol officer.

"I enjoy patrol work quite a bit," he said. But, he added, he looks forward to

new experiences as youth officer. "This is a whole other set of challenges,"

he said.

The police department has several officers who formerly served as a youth

officer or a school resource officer. "There's really a strong core of

youth-oriented officers here," Officer Schubert said.

"I've always been drawn to special assignments," he said.

While serving as a patrolman he enjoyed interacting with children, he

explained. His new role as youth officer will "get me involved deeply in the

community."

"I've got a lot to learn about what makes Newtown tick," he added.

Officer Schubert said residents have told him they moved to Newtown for its

quality of life.

"It's a civilized scenario, and I think people really want to keep it that

way. We want to maintain the quality of life. It's an awfully big town that's

managed to maintain a small town mentality," he said, adding that residents

want Newtown to retain its small community focus.

"I live in town. I have a vested interest in town," Officer Schubert said. He

said his interest in becoming the youth officer was heightened by his being a

father.

Dana and his wife, Lynne, have five-year-old twins, William and Stephanie, who

will be starting Kindergarten this school year.

"Having children will get you involved," he said.

Before coming to Newtown as a patrol officer in January 1998, Officer Schubert

had been an administrative sergeant at the Western Connecticut State

University Police Department in Danbury, where he had worked as a policeman

for 20 years.

Officer Schubert, 42, enjoys outdoor activities, especially fishing and

motorcycling.

Detective Sergeant Henry Stormer, the head of the detective bureau, said,

"Dana's experience working in an educational setting for the past 20 years is

a definite plus. I'm pleased to have a person of Dana's caliber want to take

the position. The fact that he has two children will help him relate to the

kids. I expect him to do an excellent job."