DRUG-FREE, GUN-FREE SCHOOL ZONES BEGIN

Cape Girardeau kicked off its drug-free, gun-free school zone program Thursday at Franklin Elementary School before about 60 third- and fourth-graders.

City officials, public and private school officials, and federal law enforcement personnel participated in the kickoff, along with leaders of Cape Girardeau's four Optimist clubs and Optimist International President Charles Wiles.

Fourth-graders sang several patriotic songs, including "Say Something Good About America."

City Councilman and Breakfast Optimist Club member Melvin Gateley said 100 yellow and black signs proclaiming areas as drug-free, gun-free zones will be erected around Cape Girardeau's schools, including Southeast Missouri State University. The signs were paid for by the Optimist clubs.

Those caught in possession of drugs or guns within 1,000 feet of school property will be prosecuted under a federal law that imposes penalties of up to five years or $5,000, or both for violations.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Price said federal prosecutors have been involved in establishment of drug-free, gun-free zones in St. Louis and hope to expand the program to schools throughout Southeast Missouri.

"We believe that one of your basic freedoms is the right to be secure from violent crime and that should be especially true at school," Price said at the ceremony, held in the school gym.

"We cannot tolerate things like drugs and guns or those who use them to threaten innocent children or undermine the quality of our education system," he said.

"Students and teachers should be allowed to go to school and concentrate on obtaining an education and not be harassed by drug dealers or scared by guns."

Said Price, "These signs should send a clear message of warning to potential violators that we are serious about the safety and security of our children."

Neyland Clark, superintendent of Cape Girardeau public schools, said school officials want students to be able to attend classes in a secure environment.

"If you have a problem, we are here to help you," he told the elementary-school children.

Sister Mary Ann Fischer, principal of Notre Dame High School, said, "We believe, as Dr. Clark and all of us educators believe, that learning will not take place unless there is a safe environment for students to learn."

Robert Hartmann, principal of Trinity Lutheran School, praised the cooperative venture and attitude of the community.

Police Chief Howard Boyd Jr. said the department has a mandate to see that people pay attention to the signs. He promised that violators will be arrested and punished.

Boyd, a former student at Franklin School, said he hopes the new program will allow today's school children to have "an innocent a childhood as I had."

Optimist International President Wiles, a professor of marketing at Southeast Missouri State University, said he hopes to see the drug-free, gun-free zone signs erected at schools across the nation.

Wiles presides over Optimist clubs worldwide, including about 4,500 in North America.

In North America last year, the civic clubs served five million youths, raised $43 million for youth programs and participated in 70,000 youth projects.

"No finer project exists than what we see here today," said Wiles.

He said he would like to see Optimist clubs nationwide become involved in the drug-free, gun-free zone program.