Fountain Valley Police Department Press Releases
| TO PRESS: | FROM: Sgt. Eric Orahood (714) 593-4472 Mar 20 2009 |
Every 15 Minutes | |
| On Thursday, March 26 and Friday, March 27, 2009, the Fountain Valley Police Department and Los Amigos High School will present the “Every Fifteen Minutes” program to the junior and senior classes. This two-day program focuses on personal safety, drinking and driving and the potential consequences of poor decision-making. The program name was derived from statistics which show that every 15 minutes someone in the United States dies from an alcohol related traffic accident. The goal of the program is to reduce alcohol related traffic collisions in our community. The “Every 15 Minutes” program is presented prior to spring break, prom and graduation ceremonies, which makes it a timely event. On Thursday, March 26th at 10:15 a.m., a fatal alcohol related traffic accident will be re-enacted. This will take place on Heil and Foothill Streets, next to Los Amigos High School. The Fountain Valley Police and Fire Departments, the Orange County Coroner’s Office and other agencies will participate in the re-enactment. The injured parties will be transported to a local hospital and the fatality will be transported to the Coroner’s Office. The person responsible for the accident will be arrested and booked at the Fountain Valley Police Department. Prior to the traffic accident re-enactment, 19 students will be removed from class by the Grim Reaper at 15-minute intervals. The Grim Reaper will appear in classrooms around the campus and a Fountain Valley Police Officer and a Police Chaplain will read the mock obituaries for the “Living dead.” As this occurs on campus, Fountain Valley Police Officers and a Police Chaplain will deliver death notifications to the parents of the victims of the re-enactment traffic accident. Although the parents know that this is a staged event the emotional impact of the notifications has proved to be overwhelming to those involved. On Friday, March 27, 2009, at 9:15 a.m., a school assembly will take place. The entire junior and senior class will be involved. Gary Zelesky, a nationally known motivational speaker will speak. The Fountain Valley Police Chief Paul A. Sorrell will also be present. There will be a video presentation of the events surrounding the traffic accident from the day prior. The “Living dead” as the accident victims are referred to will be reunited with their families and several of them will speak at the assembly. This has proven to be another very emotionally charged part of the program. Due to street closures in the area of this event it is recommended that the press arrive 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the program. | |
| Sgt. Eric Orahood Personnel and Training Sergeant (714) 593-4472 | |
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