The Code 411 program has been one of the most valuable assets for youth education provided by police officers. It is a substance abuse, violence prevention and internet safety program that is provided to the students of the West Des Moines school district.
In 2007, the Windsor Heights Police Department in partnership with the West Des Moines Police Department and the West Des Moines Community Schools implemented this new program into the schools.
Program Topics
The 10-week program is taught to sixth graders at Clive Learning Academy and covers topics such as:
Peer pressure – How to recognize and resist pressures that influence them
Bullying / harassment - How it affects people and how someone can get arrested for harassing another individual
Common teenage crimes - Criminal mischief / vandalism, shoplifting, assault, burglary and a variety of other crimes
Drugs and alcohol - Effects on the body caused from tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, inhalants, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, as well as the laws of underage use and possession
Internet safety - Dangers of the internet, instant messaging, text messaging, chat rooms and Facebook, as well as the threat of providing personal information to strangers on the internet
At the end of the program there will be a graduation ceremony at the school recognizing the students for all of their hard work during the course.