STTOP: Sheriff's Teen Traffic Offender Program - 877.310.STOP

STTOP is an innovative intervention program developed by the Lost Hills/Malibu Station of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to educate young drivers and their parents.

The goal of STTOP is to correct reckless behavior and other bad driving practices. The program is designed to intervene when a young driver displays poor judgment or dangerous driving behavior. Aside from following up on collision reports and citations issued, STTOP encourages citizens to call in and report dangerous teen driver (or report them online at www.sttop.net/report_a_driver.htm.

Too many times, patrol officers are not present to see dangerous driving. The inability to catch an offender in the act ties the hands of law enforcement, which cannot act on a Vehicle Code infraction they do not witness. Often the youthful driver screeches his/her tires, races another car or does other dangerous maneuvers, and then vanishes before the patrol units can arrive.

If you see dangerous driving or reckless behavior by young drivers, report it to STTOP at 1.877.310.STOP (7867) or 818.880.5420.  The call may save lives.  STTOP is currently in use throughout the Conejo Valley, Agoura, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Malibu, Calabasas, Ojai, Fillmore, Santa Paula and other locations.

For more information, visit www.sttop.net.

Cities and corporate donors have made STTOP possible. Additional donations can be made to The Malibu Lost Hills Sheriff's Booster Club (STTOP),  a 501(c)3 designated non-profit organization. Your donations are tax deductible.

Straight Up Ventura County 2012 "Make a Difference" Video Contest for Youths

2012 Video Contest for Young People: "Make a Difference"

Ages 12-25 invited to submit videos about making a difference and creating positive community change

Youth advocacy group Straight Up Ventura County has announced its 2012 video contest, open to young people 12-25, around the topics of making a difference among peers, educators and parents.

"We're looking for young people to explore topics such as how to create 'positive' peer pressure. what activities can bring awareness to destructive decisions, or people that have been an inspiration for making positive decisions around alcohol or drugs," says Katherine Kasmir, Program Director of Straight Up. "We look to the youth in our community to help make social change."

Straight Up focuses on prevention surrounding underage and binge drinking, over-the-counter/prescription drug abuse, marijuana use, and impaired driving.   

Last year's contest, "The Power of Speaking Up," garnered submissions from all over Ventura County. They can be seen at straightupvc.org/contest_2011 and below!

Short videos (30-90 seconds) are preferred, but longer videos are welcome as well. The subject matter and tone can be serious or humorous, as longs as the video deals with the powering of speaking up.

A grand prize of $500 will be awarded. The deadline is March 9, 2012 and winners notified by April 20.

Downloadable rules and guidelines can be found at www.straightupvc.org/contest. Resources are available to youth and to educators in the form of educational workshops and equipment lending.

Interested parties can find out more information by contacting contest@straightupvc.org or (805) 647-4622.

Winning Entries from 2011 "Speak Up" Video Contest

WINNING VIDEO: "Out of the Mouths of Children" by Joe Lanthier's Fillmore High School Production Class (ages 16) Description: A young boy refuses to get into his brother's car after the brother has been drinking.

RUNNER-UP VIDEO: "Bobby V" by Camilo Alvea, 23, and Sergio Arias, 23 Description: A young female recounts an accident in which she was involved, in which "Bobby V" was killed.

RUNNER-UP VIDEO: "Choice" by Sophie Glander, 16, of Agoura Description: A young boy refuses to get into his brother's car after the brother has been drinking.