Norman E. Cotter, the owner of the Pine Valley Country Club in Rehoboth, and David J. Duarte, the owner of DeeJay’s Auto Center and Car Wash in Seekonk, presented the Rehoboth Police Department with a check for $6,700.
The funds were raised from an annual golf tournament and clam boil held each year by the two businessmen in conjunction with the Seekonk Rod & Gun Club in Rehoboth. The purpose of the funds is to allow the police to conduct community relations and educational and safety programs for the youth of Rehoboth through the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.
According to Police Chief Stephen Enos, while this program has been extremely important in past years, it is more crucial than ever now, and in the coming fiscal years to support the community policing efforts.
Federal and state budgetary cuts have eliminated most funding for community policing efforts, according to Enos. “Mr. Cotter, Mr. Duarte and all of the volunteers and donors should be commended for their efforts at supporting the youth and the police department in Rehoboth. I am very thankful for their hard work which gives my officers the opportunity to work more closely with the youth of this community,” said Enos.