What:
News Conference to Announce the 2005 Sober Graduation Program

When:
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
11:00 a.m.

Where:
William Howard Taft High School - (In Student Quad Area )
5461 Winnetka Avenue, Woodland Hills 91364

Why:
Deputy Chief Ronald Bergmann, Operations-Valley Bureau, Captain Ronald Marbrey, LAPD Valley Traffic Division, Captain William Sutton, LAPD South Traffic Division, Captain Craig Klein, California Highway Patrol, West Valley Area, President of POLAC, Pat Hines, Safe Moves, April Snook, Community Programs Coordinator, LA County Chapter of MADD, Elissa Fleak, Los Angeles County Coroner's Office, Students from William Howard Taft High School

Woodland Hills: On Tuesday May 10, 2005, at 11:00 a.m., Southern California law enforcement agency representatives will hold a news conference to congratulate the graduating class of 2005 and encourage high school students to celebrate their proms and graduations without the use of alcohol and drugs. Law enforcement officials and community activists will persuade parents to talk with their kids about alcohol and drug abuse and encourage students to prevent their friends who are under the influence from driving.

This year, Valley Traffic Division will be joined by Safe Moves to conduct simulated traffic collisions to educate students on the consequences of driving under the influence. Interactive exercises will allow students to examine the crash site, interview witnesses and complete collision reports to determine the cause of the crash. To add realism to the crash site, vehicles involved in actual traffic collisions will be placed in position of impact. The demolished vehicles driven by drunk drivers will be on display at the news conference and students from Taft High School will be available for sound bytes.

Every year during the months of May and June, traffic officers from the South, Central, West, and Valley Traffic Divisions coordinate the Sober Graduation Program with high schools in their area.

For additional information, please call Public Relations Specialist Pedro M. Muñiz, at 213-485-3284.