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Lincoln DARE officer reports expanded youth services and receives state award
Summary
Officer Christy Frigier told the City Council Aug. 4 that Lincoln's DARE program expanded community sponsorships, field trips and a new eyewear program; the council presented her with the 2025 Illinois DARE Officers Association Officer of the Year award.
Officer Christy Frigier, Lincoln Police Department DARE officer, updated the Lincoln City Council on Aug. 4 about expanded youth services supported by the department and accepted a state award recognizing her work.
Frigier told the council the department sponsored school sports, field trips and nonathletic activities, and had taken "roughly 270 kids to a Peoria Chiefs game." She said the program widened its material support this year to include toiletries and shoes after school staff identified basic needs: "I started buying a lot of toiletries for kids," she said.
The DARE office also supported a Mount Pulaski shooting sports co-op, a junior-high bowling team that otherwise could not afford to participate, and a mission trip. Frigier described a partnership she called "Specs for Success" with Bard Optical, in which she refers students to the vendor for eye exams and frames and the department handles billing. She said she is pursuing orthodontic sponsorships for students who need braces.
Frigier said donations and earmarked checks to the police department fund the work: donors may specify funds for coats, shoes or other needs and the department applies those gifts to the stated purpose. She also described ad hoc distribution when students decline school programs for reasons of embarrassment: she collects items and discreetly places them in students' backpacks.
A council member read a plaque recognizing Frigier's service and her role in expanding the Lincoln DARE program. The plaque text, read aloud at the meeting, credited her more than 23 years with DARE work in Lincoln and noted that Lincoln hosts the Illinois DARE officer training site. Chief Meister acknowledged the plaque and thanked Small Town Creations for producing it.
Frigier outlined upcoming events and continuing activities including school cookouts, a movie night with the city and fundraising collaborations such as support to Bikers for Brats. She said volunteers and community donations are welcome and that people may drop checks at the police department so funds can be tracked to the intended purpose.
No formal council action was required for the update or the plaque presentation.
Ending: The council acknowledged Frigier's award and the DARE program's community work; Frigier said she will continue seeking local partnerships to meet student needs.
