Last week students from Foothill High School and Village High School began a two day event called Every 15 Minutes. Every 15 Minutes is a high impact anti-DUI educational program which derives its name from the frequency at which a person is killed in an alcohol or drug related collision in the United States. The program is designed to teach teenagers who drive about the dangers and consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Each year one of the local high schools participates in the program, rotating between locations near Amador Valley and Foothill High Schools. The event takes over a year to organize and plan and is coordinated mostly by a core group of participating students.

Part of the program involved a mock fatal traffic collision. The collision simulates a DUI crash involving young adults. Paramedics, firefighters, police officers and other emergency personnel handled the mock crash just as they would the real thing. Juniors and seniors (high schools students likely to drive) observed the emergency crews in action and witnessed the arrest of the intoxicated driver, played by a student actor.

Every 15 Minutes concluded the following day with a moving school assembly including a video presentation and guest speaker. The #Pleasanton Police Department is proud to support this educational event. We continue to strive for a safe prom, graduation and summer season without the tragic consequences of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The event is meant to stir conversation about the dangers of driving under the influence, and about the very real consequences of getting into a vehicle with someone who is under the influence or drugs or alcohol, even if they've had "just a little." With prom and graduation season around the corner, it is imperative to have a very real, honest and difficult conversation with our youth about the dangers of driving under the influence.

This annual event would not be possible without funding from the Office of Traffic Safety, assistance from CHP - Dublin, CHP - Air Operations, the City of Pleasanton Streets Department, Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department, Paramedics Plus - Alameda Co., Graham-Hitch Mortuary, Eden Medical Center, Pleasanton Unified School District, the tireless work of a very dedicated student planning committee and their supportive families.

This morning Pleasanton's DARE officers gave some Hearst Elementary - Pleasanton students a ride to school as part of a school fundraiser. Fourth graders Madison, Sage, and Katie had a great time with Officer McNeill at Starbucks before being dropped off at school in style.

We enjoy being a part of the Pleasanton Unified School District family and are grateful for the inclusion. We are #BetterTogether.

Members of the SWAT team recently attended a law enforcement career fair Napa Valley College police academy because we're accepting applications for academy grads (and recruits!)

If you can tell which officer had his morning coffee you've passed the 1st test and are welcome to apply. 👮‍♀️☕💪

PleasantonJobs.org

In 2017 #Pleasanton's police dispatch and records team handled 72,432 calls for service. Of these, 32,311 were officer initiated. 40,121 calls came from the public. We strive to honor these patient souls every day, and this week we join the nation in singing their praise for #NationalTelecommunicatorsWeek.

We are #BetterTogether.