Check Out New Upstate Sheriff’s Cruiser Transformed From Drug Dealing Vehicle to Educate

An Upstate New York Sheriff's office got a new police cruiser that was once used for running drugs into the area, now serving as an educational tool.

At the Memorial Day Parade in the Village of St. Johnsville on Monday, Montgomery County Sheriff Jeffery T. Smith introduced a striking new addition to the Sheriff’s Office fleet: the D.A.R.E. Camaro.

This eye-catching 2011 Chevrolet Camaro comes with a story. Once seized from a local drug dealer, the vehicle has been repurposed with a fresh mission of supporting drug education and youth outreach. It now serves as a mobile symbol of second chances and will be used by D.A.R.E. officers to engage with students across Montgomery County.

“Turning a vehicle once tied to crime into a symbol of education and prevention is the kind of full-circle message that resonates,” Sheriff Smith shared. “This car reminds our young people that choices matter and that crime doesn’t pay.”

According to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Facebook page, the debut of the Camaro was made even more meaningful by the presence of the Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville Central School District’s D.A.R.E. class, which marched in the parade and is preparing to graduate from the program.

The car’s bold design was brought to life locally by Prime Signs, Inc. of Fonda, whose custom wrap and lettering give the Camaro a professional and polished look.

Residents can expect to see the D.A.R.E. Camaro at school visits, community events, and parades throughout the year. More than just a showpiece, the vehicle is meant to start conversations, spark curiosity, and inspire Montgomery County youth to make positive choices.