CITY OF MENIFEE
SUBJECT: Memorandum of Understanding with Perris Union High School District for the Every 15 Minutes Program
MEETING DATE: November 5, 2025
TO: Mayor and City Council
PREPARED BY: Christine Booker, Budgets & Grants Analyst REVIEWED BY: Chris Karrer, Police Chief
APPROVED BY: Armando G. Villa, City Manager
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Perris Union High School District (PUHSD) for the Every 15 Minutes Program; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all subsequent MOU amendments at the City’s discretion.
DISCUSSION
During the 2025/2026 fiscal year Menifee Police Department (MPD) staff were directed to work with PUHSD, California Highway Patrol (CHP) and other associated agencies to implement the Every 15 Minutes Program within the City.
The Every 15 Minutes Program (Program) is a two-day educational experience designed to dramatically instill in high school students the dangerous consequences of drinking and driving, particularly under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The Program is primarily aimed at high school juniors and seniors.
Key Features
Realistic Simulation: The Program typically includes a staged car crash involving student actors, emergency responders, and even the local coroner or mortuary and hospital. The goal is to portray the aftermath of a DUI accident as realistically as possible. The "Living Dead": Throughout the school day, students are removed from classes every 15 minutes to symbolize someone in the U.S. dying in an alcohol-related incident. They return with pale makeup and black clothing, representing victims who "died." Parent Involvement: Families of the student participants may write letters as if their child had died, emphasizing the emotional impact.
City of Menifee Staff Report
E15 Minutes Program MOU
November 5, 2025
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Retreat and Reflection: Participating students attend a retreat to reflect on the experience and hear from speakers, such as crash survivors, DUI offenders, or law enforcement.
Purpose
The program aims to:
Increase awareness of the consequences of impaired or distracted driving. Encourage students to make safe and responsible decisions. Involve the community—including schools, law enforcement, emergency services, and parents—in prevention efforts.
As part of these efforts a collaborative team of staff were put together from various City departments including MPD, Community Services, and Fire, as well as outside agencies who would play a role in this production including CHP and PUHSD staff. MPD is seeking approval for a MOU between the City and PUHSD to identify responsibilities and expectations for both parties involved.
PUHSD would be responsible for providing staffing to work in collaboration to ensure the success of the Program both during the planning phases as well as during the actual presentation.
Additionally, they would gain student participation for the Program and allow approved committee staff access to the school site as necessary for the planning and preparation of the event.
MPD would be responsible for providing staffing to work in collaboration to ensure the success of the Program both during the planning phases as well as during the actual presentation.
Additionally, they would create an emergency action plan for the event and be fiscally responsible for any costs incurred as a result of putting on the Program, unless offsetting measures are offered by the District. MPD staff has worked with CHP personnel to complete the Every 15 Minutes grant application which, if awarded, could grant up to $15,000 in reimbursable costs. The Every 15 Minutes grant program is awarded on a first-come first-served basis and MPD is anticipating award notification in the coming month. If awarded, a staff report would be taken before City Council to accept the grant award.
MPD would host the event at Heritage High School from April 14 – 15, 2026. The event would include the crash site presentation, collaboration with local mortuaries, hospitals, helicopter providers, the Fairfield Inn, local food vendors as well as vendors providing materials such as shirts, handout materials, and items needed to create a graveyard scene as part of the living dead portrayal.
STRATEGIC PLAN OBJECTIVE
Community Engagement and Social Infrastructure
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action. Any costs associated with the Every 15 Minutes Program would be addressed in a future staff report that would request acceptance and approval of the CHP Every 15 Minutes Grant.
City of Menifee Staff Report
E15 Minutes Program MOU
November 5, 2025
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4 0
ATTACHMENTS
1. MOU
2. Site Map
3. Program Overview