Sirens blaring, a motorcade of law enforcement vehicles proceeded to McCarver Elementary School on Oct. 15 and lined up on the playground. Some agents wore protective gear. Oscar, the four-legged officer, also carried his weapons with him: canine teeth. School children, eyes filled with excitement, crowded the playground and milled around the officers and vehicles.
The swarm of law enforcement agents was at McCarver for a Red Ribbon celebration. McCarver was selected by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to host a Red Ribbon celebration on Oct. 15—one of only two schools in the state of Washington to be chosen. A giant red ribbon containing every McCarver students' handprint encircled the gym walls. The ribbon proclaimed, "Hand In Hand We Are Strong" to symbolize McCarver's commitment to live a drug-free life.
Red Ribbon is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program, reaching millions of Americans during the last week of October each year. By wearing red ribbons and participating in community anti-drug events, young people pledge to live a drug-free life and pay tribute to DEA Special Agent Enriqué “Kiki” Camarena who died in the line of duty in 1985. The DEA joins community coalitions and prevention groups to conduct Red Ribbon activities, ranging from classroom events to large rallies.
A Tacoma Police Department Honor Guard started the assembly. Chris Ingalls, King 5 News, emceed the program. Mayor Bill Baarsma, Chief of Police Don Ramsdell, U.S. Attorney Jeff Sullivan and DEA SAC Arnold Moorin addressed the student body. Mayor Baarsma presented a Certificate of Recognition to the McCarver students and teachers for their commitment to drug prevention on behalf of the City of Tacoma.
Mika Camarena showed a four-minute video on the life of her husband, Enriqué "Kiki" Camarena who died while he was working for the DEA. Ingalls led the student body in a moment of silence in honor of Kiki and other fallen heroes. Tacoma K-9 Officers Tim Fredricks, Chris Martin and K-9 Oscar provided a demonstration of a police dog in action.
The assembly concluded with Carol Ramm-Gramenz, McCarver counselor, speaking about the new McCarver Park fundraising project in memory of former student Zina Linnick. Ian Morrison, representative from Gov. Chris Gregoire's Office, spoke to the student body about the governor's support for the project.
After the assembly, students were able to visit with the different law enforcement officers and view the many vehicles used in the motorcade.