May 6, 2016
He stepped through the doors of his new office, badge hanging from his neck and a new title in front of his name. His training to become leading officer was ready to be put into practice, except it could never prepare him for the emotional impact involved with changing students’ lives through the “Every 15 Minutes” program.
Officer Cody Jones was one of the many people with a main role in the “Every 15 Minutes” program. The program educates students on the dangers of distracted driving and driving under the influence of alcohol and other substances. When Jones was appointed leading officer in 2002, the first installment of the program had previously been scheduled.
“I didn’t understand what it was about,” Jones said. “But once I got a taste, I saw what happens at the retreat, what happens at the assembly and how it changed people’s lives, I bought in. This is now my fourth time being involved in this program. It has always been a really special program for me.”
The program’s title is based on the statistic that every 15 minutes someone dies as a result of an alcohol-related crash.
“Interestingly enough, the new statistic is 18.5 minutes, but the ‘Every 15 Minutes’ program was created awhile back and is still catchy,” Jones said. “Through prevention programs and awareness, we have extended that time, but there is no reason to stop now.”
The program allows teens to witness the consequences associated with driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol by involving students and teachers in a mock crash. The mock crash took place April 7, and Jones said many local agencies came together to bring a sense of reality to the scene.
“BSA ambulance service, Canyon Towing, Canyon Fire, Canyon Police Department, LifeStar, Chase Brooks from the funeral home, Justice of the Peace and Randall County ESU helped us,” Jones said. “So it’s really a collaborative approach. All of the guys were super willing, and they absolutely loved to help.”
After the mock crash, students were escorted out of class by police officers every 15 minutes to symbolize the number of lives taken by driving under the influence. These students returned to class and were not allowed to speak for the rest of the day. Students and faculty members participating in the program went on a retreat.
“Our agenda was to make sure they understood they matter, and the choices they make matter,” Jones said. “We did some activities that really exposed that. We received letters from parents and grandparents about what it would be like if they were dead. It gave them a good opportunity to just have conversation that they would not have typically been able to have.”
An assembly was held in the auditorium April 8, where a video related to distracted and drunk driving produced by TxDot was shown to the students. Jones said the students learned how to show compassion and discover their worth.
“They learned how to grieve, how to love one another, and those are great things,” Jones said. “Some kids’ lives were changed at the retreat, there is no doubt. Their hearts towards one another, towards their school, and how they make decisions. They matter and their decisions matter.”
Jones said the Crenshaw family was the main focus of the video shown at the assembly, because many on campus identify with their story.
“We talked to Debbie and asked what she thought about it, and it was hard for her,” Jones said. “Then we explained to her that she would be able to talk to Wes and say some things to him that she wouldn’t be able to say any other way. Debbie is a rock star. I may even tear up thinking about it. I don’t even know how she had the fortitude to do that. She is a really special person.”
Jones said he wants the students to see that the decisions they make has an impact not only for their lives, but also lives around them.
“I hope they see they matter. I hope we drive that one home,” Jones said. “They really do matter, no matter what class they are in, how much they make, what side of town you live on, what sport you play, or what sport you don’t play. They absolutely matter to us.”
Hello! My name is Codi Bradstreet, and I am the Editor-in-Chief of The Eagle’s Tale. I am a senior, so this is my last year on staff. I am on the basketball team, I am the senior class publicist, and I am involved in two leadership programs outside...