Popular sheriff's deputy says 'goodbye' to STAR program

FAREWELL-Dep. Dave Bates is leaving STAR due to a transfer. The Las Virgenes Unified School District will soon be losing one of its shining stars.

Dep. Dave Bates, the longtime Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department STAR (Success Through Awareness and Resistance) program leader, will be transferring units and leaving his local assignment at the end of the school year.

For the past six years, Bates and the STAR program have encouraged middle school and elementary school students in the district to live a drug-free, responsible life.

"The STAR program gives kids an opportunity to know what can happen if they make bad choices," Bates said. "We don't just focus on drugs, but rather on developing good life skills."

An 18-year veteran of the Sheriff's Department, Bates transferred to the STAR unit after working at the sheriff's West Hollywood station.

"I decided I wanted to work with kids because they are the future," Bates said. "You would always see the same adults using drugs and it seemed like they were walking through a revolving door, but with kids you can actually reach them and make a difference."

When Bates joined STAR it served only the Las Virgenes School District's fourth and fifthgraders. To encourage continuity, Bates sought additional funds to expand the program.

"With this program, you need to teach it every year at a different level," Bates said.

Under his guidance, the program was able to raise $250,000 and expand to include all fourththrough eighth-graders. Bates' efforts didn't go unnoticed, and his dedicated service was rewarded with various department commendations.

With the program's expansion, Bates now meets with 2,600 students a month.

"Teachers definitely get jealous because I get to deal with so many kids," Bates said. "I build some really strong relationships because when I start with a kid in the fourth grade, I work with him and know him until the eighth grade."

The amount of time Bates spends with the kids has made him a confidant of both students and administrators.

"It's not odd for me to sit in on a meeting with a parent or a child to help facilitate it," Bates said. "Being a friend with these kids really helps; some of them just need someone to talk to."

In addition to classroom visits, Bates also hosts field trips, afterschool programs, parent education nights and runs a summer STAR camp.

Though Bates will be leaving the program this year, he has high hopes for its future.

"I'd like to see my successor take it to the high school level," Bates said. "Continuity is really the key to this whole program."

"It will be a great loss for the community to lose Deputy Bates' level of involvement," said Kameron Johnson, secretary/ treasurer for the Las Virgenes Optimist Club.

"His programs have had a positive impact, and a positive experience with a law enforcement officer teaches kids to respect officers when they grow up."

Bates will transfer to the Sheriff's Bureau of Corrections to assist with a drug rehabilitation program for prisoners. He said memories of the work he did locally will always remain with him.

"I'm going to miss the families and the relationships I've built with all these kids," Bates said.

The Las Virgenes Optimists Club of Optimist International and city of Westlake Village will host a farewell reception Tues., June 13 for Bates. The reception will be from 7 to 9 p.m. at Westlake Village City Council Chambers. For information call (818) 917-5366. Anyone interested in thanking Bates and wishing him well is welcome.