OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Police Department and the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign have teamed up to promote designated driving in a unique way — on one of the city’s patrol cars.
According to a release, city and police officials joined the HERO Campaign June 5 to unveil the Crown Victoria cruiser, which is the first law enforcement vehicle anywhere to feature HERO Campaign signage aimed at preventing drinking and driving.
Similar HERO campaign-themed police cruisers will be unveiled by Atlantic City and Evesham Township police departments in the coming weeks.
The police cruiser will be a rolling reminder of the campaign’s signature message, “Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver,” and its trademark HERO logo. When not on patrol, the cruiser will be displayed at community events, on the Ocean City Boardwalk, and at local schools to educate students and the public about the importance of responsibility and the dangers of drinking and driving.
The HERO wrap was donated by Jane French of Ocean City, a longtime volunteer, and supporter of the HERO Campaign.
“We thought this would be a great way to support the HERO Campaign and its life-saving message,” stated Ocean City Police Chief Jay Prettyman. “It’s also a meaningful way to promote the longstanding relationship between the resort and the HERO Campaign as together we seek to keep America’s Greatest Family Resort a safe community for everyone.”
“Drunk driving is the most preventable crime in America,” HERO Campaign chairman and co-founder Bill Elliott stated. “This new HERO police car will be a constant reminder — to residents and visitors alike — about the importance of having safe and sober designated drivers whenever good times include alcoholic beverages.”
The HERO Campaign is a non-profit organization dedicated to impaired driving by promoting the use of safe and sober designated drivers 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.
