Image courtesy: Vortech Superchargers

Throughout history, local and state law enforcement have played a pivotal role in the creation of racetracks and racing programs in an effort to get hot rodders off the streets and into a closed environment, which can be traced back to the very beginnings of the sport. And today, police and sheriff’s departments across the nation still promote racing programs to accomplish that very thing in our post-Fast and Furious world.

In the city of Oxnard, Calif., just an hour east of Los Angeles, Oxnard Police Department Senior Officers Charles Woodruff and Daniel Shrubb have jump started a new program with the assistance of several sponsors and the local government with an aim not only for safety, but education. Known as DRAGG, or Drag Racing Against Gangs and Graffiti, the mission is to get kids off the streets and into the automotive industry.

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Woodruff and Shrubb have created DRAGG as an after school program for high school juniors and seniors in conjunction with the local high school district, with classes held twice a week and including skills and mentoring in the automotive industry, field trips to automotive-related venues, drag racing programs, and involvement in various festivals and events. The recently concluded first class graduated nine students, with three college scholarships being awarded to the students that graduated high school in the process.

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As important as the education itself, Woodruff, Shrubb, and the Oxnard Police Department hope to provide young people an avenue to pursue their interest in the automotive industry, rather than going down the road of gang influence and other negative behaviors.

Students and parents interested in learning more about the DRAGG program can visit the DRAGG website or call (805) 97-DRAGG.