SEA ISLE CITY – At a Boardwalk ceremony July 2, five south Jersey police departments and the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign unveiled a fleet of HERO patrol cars aimed at preventing drinking and driving.
The cars, displaying the HERO Campaign logo and messages promoting designated driving, will serve as rolling billboards in Sea Isle City, Atlantic City, Lower Township, Ocean City and Evesham Township.
The HERO cars are part of the Campaign’s “Summer of HEROES” initiative to remind motorists to always have a safe ride home whenever they consume alcoholic beverages. Linwood and Middle Township also participate in the program with cars currently in service.
“We are grateful to our law enforcement partners for helping us save lives by encouraging safe and sober designated driving,” HERO Campaign Chairman and Co-Founder Bill Elliott said. “With these rolling billboards reminding South Jersey residents of the importance of designated driving, we will keep our roads safe from the dangers of drunk driving.”
At the ceremony, Mayor Len Desiderio and Police Chief Tom McQuillen of Sea Isle City, were joined by police officials from each town, along with HERO Campaign Chairman Bill Elliott and business sponsors of the HERO Car signage program, which include Kindle Auto Plaza, the Foster Karney Foundation, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, ANA Towing, Car Toyz, Ironworkers Local 399 and Jane French.
HERO Campaign officials also distributed gaiter masks featuring the HERO Campaign logo and designated driver slogan to participating police officials at the ceremony. One thousand masks will be made available to servers at bars and restaurants in Atlantic and Cape May counties this summer.
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 entering its 20th 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 drunk driver in July, 2000, 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, go to herocampaign.org.