Sheriff Austin Garrett Unveils New D.A.R.E. Vehicle
Hamilton County, TN – This morning during a press conference at East Hamilton Middle School, Sheriff Austin Garrett unveiled the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office’s first official D.A.R.E. car placed in service in more than two decades. This new D.A.R.E. unit, a beautiful 2018 Dodge Challenger, was seized from a local drug dealer during a Narcotics and Special Investigations Unit operation which to date, has yielded more than 22 pounds of methamphetamine with an illegal street value of over $788,000.
Since its initial seizure, this vehicle has undergone a complete color change, from its original color to our agency’s standard fleet color of white, made possible through the efforts and generosity of local vendors, students, and businesses. From bodywork and painting to upfitting with lights and emergency equipment, every detail was covered through partnerships. Seized from a local drug dealer and using only Asset Forfeiture Funds, this vehicle ultimately came to our fleet at no cost to Hamilton County taxpayers.
“This vehicle represents two specific purposes. The first is my commitment to the children of this county and providing them with the resources necessary to mitigate peer-related challenges. The second is my commitment to the community and a clear message to those who choose to sell drugs in and around this county. If you choose to sell drugs in and around Hamilton County, we are going to take your assets that are derived from criminal activity because in this County, crime doesn’t pay,” stated Sheriff Austin Garrett.
This fully operational Sheriff's Office vehicle will not only be involved in law enforcement operations, it will also be showcased at community events, parades, and schools to promote our D.A.R.E. Program. Serving as a mobile classroom and conversation starter, it signifies our commitment to partnering with schools, families, and the community to build a safer, drug-free future for our youth.
The D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program plays a vital role in equipping young people with the knowledge and skills to make safe, responsible decisions. By fostering awareness about the dangers of drug use, bullying, and violence, it empowers students to resist peer pressure and embrace healthy lifestyle choices. Our HCSO D.A.R.E. Program strengthens community relationships by involving parents, teachers, and law enforcement in nurturing a supportive environment for youth development. Ultimately, D.A.R.E. promotes lifelong resilience, critical thinking, and positive values, contributing to the safety and well-being of our young people.
Since re-instituting the HCSO D.A.R.E. Program in the Fall of 2022, we now have five certified instructors teaching in five schools (listed below). By the end of this school year in May 2025, approximately 1,000 students will have graduated county-wide since 2022.
• East Hamilton Middle School
(D.A.R.E. Instructor/School Resource Deputy Rodney Brown)
• Loftis Middle School
(D.A.R.E. Instructor/School Resource Deputy Sarah Long-Ross)
• Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts (CSLA)
(D.A.R.E. Instructor/School Resource Deputy Joseph Dangler)
• Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences (CSAS)
(D.A.R.E. Instructor/School Resource Deputy Madyson Wood)
• Normal Park School
(D.A.R.E. Instructor/School Resource Deputy Ian Morrow)
The HCSO would like to thank the following businesses, vendors, and community partners who contributed to this extensive project in order to make this D.A.R.E. vehicle possible:
• Miller Industries & Mr. Dickie Hutsell, Vice President of Facilities and Security
Coordinated Vehicle Renovation & Upfitting
• Byrds Automotive & Ken Meredith, General Manager
Provided all the Sikkens brand paint, materials, and labor
• Chattanooga State’s Tennessee College of Applied Technology’s Automotive Collision Program & Executive Vice President Bo Drake - Tennessee College of Applied Technology
Program Instructors, Wes Allin, Tim Chastain, and Quinn Francis, along with students, who spent over 250 hours in their Collision Program working to prepare, disassemble, prep, and paint the vehicle
• Federal Signal Corporation & Jaymie Nelson, Sales Manager
Supplied the emergency lights and related equipment
• Volunteer Tint and Graphics & Greg Craven
Supplied the graphics for the vehicle
• HCSO Fleet Service Personnel
Installation and upfitting of lights and other law enforcement-related technology
• Matt Curtiss with Matt’s Auto Glass
Replaced Front and Back Windshields & Installed the Quarter Class
