Longport Police wrap Humvee with a HERO Campaign message: Be a designated driver.
LONGPORT - The John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers will unveil three new members of its fleet of HERO police patrol cars at a ceremony noon Thursday, May 27 at the Longport Police Station behind Borough Hall, 2305 Atlantic Ave.
The dedication of the HERO Campaign's newest patrol cars from Longport, Pleasantville and Vineland will officially launch the HERO Campaign's annual Summer of HEROES initiative to prevent drunk driving. The cars display the campaign's safety message, Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver, and will serve as rolling billboards as they travel around their communities on traffic duty, at special events, and at area schools.
Drew Vallian with the HERO Campaign Humvee.
Longport will be the first town to dedicate a HERO Humvee, repainted navy blue and displaying the HERO Campaign's life-saving message. The former military Humvee will be dedicated in memory of Longport resident and philanthropist James Klinghoffer, a longtime supporter of the Longport Police Department. Current HERO cruisers from six other South Jersey police departments also will be on-hand for the ceremony.
The Vineland cruiser honors the memory of two fallen heroes: police Sergeant Baron McCoy, who died in 2015, and Mark R. McGinly, the son of William and Patricia McGinly, who died in the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center. The McGinlys, who will attend the ceremony with Sgt. McCoy's wife Priscilla, sponsored the Vineland HERO cruiser.
Bill and Muriel Elliott, co-founders of the HERO Campaign will join other dignitaries in dedicating the newest HERO patrol cars, including Police Chiefs Frank Culmone of Longport, Sean Riggin of Pleasantville, Pedro Casiano of Vineland, U.S. Congressman Jeff Van Drew, NJ Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo and Pleasantville Mayor Judy Ward.
Other participating sponsors include Atlantic Prevention Resources, Action Uniforms, Art Handler Appliances, Billows Electric Supply and the Coalition for a Safe Community.
In addition to law enforcement, the HERO Campaign partners with bar and tavern owners, schools and colleges and professional sports teams to register thousands of designated drivers annually. Now in its 21st year, the campaign was established in memory of Navy Ensign John R. Elliott of Egg Harbor Township, who was killed in a collision with a drunken driver in July, 2000, just two months after graduating from the United States Naval Academy, where he was named the Outstanding HERO of his graduating class.
For more information on the HERO Campaign, visit HEROCampaign.org.
Ensign John Elliott
