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D.A.R.E. officers use tricked-out teaching tool

SUV seized from dealer helps kids learn about drug dangers

Knoxville News - October 2009

Officers Michael Schofield, left, and Eddie Dilbeck show off a Cadillac Escalade, the Morristown Police Department's new teaching tool.

The Morristown Police Department's D.A.R.E. program is pleasing its community's schoolchildren while educating them about the dangers of illegal drugs, all courtesy of a drug dealer who is spending time in federal prison, officials say.

The department's two D.A.R.E. officers - Eddie Dilbeck and Michael Schofield - are now driving a 2004 Cadillac Escalade that was seized last year from convicted drug dealer Michael Cline.

Cline is serving a 42-month sentence after pleading guilty to his role in a multistate drug conspiracy in which he helped distribute at least 3,300 pills containing oxycodone, court records show.

"He was interdicted by agents of the Morristown Police Department's Narcotics Unit along with agents of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation," according to Morristown Police Lt. Chris Blair. "He was found to be in possession of a large quantity of Roxicodone pills and also a large amount of cash believed to be drug proceeds."

"The subject, who was learned to have dual residence in both Tennessee and Florida, was using this vehicle to distribute pills from Florida to Morristown. That's why he lost his freedom and his vehicle."

Using money from the agency's DUI fund, the SUV was cleaned up and tricked out with lights, a radio and siren so it can be used on normal police calls as well as for anti-drug and violence education. It also sports the following message on its back: "This vehicle was seized from a local drug dealer."

Police spokeswoman Bonnie Langdon said she hopes the vehicle's visible presence in the community will serve to deter other drug dealers.

In the meantime, the SUV already has proven its worth in helping officers built rapport with schoolchildren, she said.

"The kids love it," she said.

"I've said it before," Morristown Police Chief Roger Overholt said. "We will continue to aggressively prosecute those in our community involved in illegal drug activity. We will use all the resources available to us, and we will seize the drugs involved, along with any money, guns and vehicles associated with a drug case.

Our main objective is to protect the citizens of our community, especially our children."