On Wednesday, May 25, 2016, the Fillmore Police Department, Fillmore Fire Department, American Medical Response, Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Santa Paula Hospital, and the Fillmore High School presented “Every Fifteen Minutes” outside of the Fillmore High School campus. The “Every Fifteen Minutes” presentation offers the real-life experience of a DUI-related, injury traffic collision without the real-life risks. This emotionally-charged presentation is an event designed to dramatically instill teenagers with the potentially dangerous consequences of drinking alcohol and texting while driving. This powerful presentation is intended to challenge students to think about drinking and/or texting while driving. The personal safety and the responsibility of making mature decisions when entering a vehicle with an intoxicated or in-attentive driver may have devastating consequences.

The focus of the assembly stresses that the decision to consume alcohol can affect many more people than just the one who drinks, as well as the dangers of texting while driving. This very emotional and heart-wrenching event illustrates to students the potentially dangerous consequences of their use of alcohol and texting while driving, regardless of how casual they believe their use is. This event included the participation of our police and fire departments, high school staff, local hospital, high school student actors and video production crew, community officials, the District Attorney's Office, and a wide cross-section of the community at-large. It is our goal to utilize the strength, talent and resources of business and industry to prevent drunk driving and texting while driving.

Prepared by: Danielle Ramirez, Student Worker

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).