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High school students get a sobering message
Leading up to the busy prom and graduation season, officers with the Elkhart County Sheriff's Department sent a message to students: underage drinking is not legal.

"We talk a great deal about not drinking and driving, but high school kids need to know it's illegal for them to consume alcohol," said Capt. Sean Holmes. "We have stepped up enforcement efforts to make sure everyone's safe."

Elkhart County's "Don't Make This Your Last Dance" program visited Concord High School on April 21, Fairfield on April 28, Northridge on April 29, and Jimtown on May 15. After an assembly, which included a compelling, first-hand account of the dangers of alcohol consumption, students received wristbands to remind them to stay safe.

For enforcement, the patrol division will increase coverage and make use of the Sheriff's Teenage Alcohol Reduction program, funded by the Elkhart County Drug-Free Partnership. These patrols will focus on traffic safety and party checks.

Tips about underage drinking parties can be emailed anonymously to Sgt. Jeff Stutsman.

Patrolmen Rich Matteson, Don Cramer and Jason Reaves, the county's school resource officers, helped coordinate the presentations.

New patrolman wins prestigious ILEA honor
PLAINFIELD — In just a few months on the job, Patrolman Casey Claeys has established himself as a professional officer respected by his peers.

Claeys, 21, of the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department, received the Herman H. Freed Award for demonstrating the best integrity, ethical behavior and attitude in his class at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. The class graduated Friday, and the recipient of the Freed Award is nominated by his or her peers.

The award is named for ILEA’s first executive director. Major Freed established the academy’s training facilities in Plainfield, helped contribute to policies and procedures, and attended every academy commencement until his death in 2004.    

Claeys is a graduate of Mishawaka High School and is working toward his degree at Indiana University South Bend.