With the beach and boardwalk as the backdrop, the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign today unveiled two new members of its fleet of HERO police patrol cars aimed at preventing drinking and driving. The cruisers, from Ventnor and Linwood, display the HERO Campaign logo and message: “Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver.”

“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. “These HERO patrol cars will serve as rolling billboards, reminding motorists to always have a designated driver whenever they are drinking alcoholic beverages.”

Current HERO patrol vehicles from seven other South Jersey police departments also were on hand for the HERO Campaign’s annual “Summer of HEROES” event to usher in the unofficial start to the summer season at the Jersey Shore and to remind motorists to always have a safe ride home whenever they consume alcoholic beverages.

The HERO Campaign was established by the family of Navy Ensign John Elliott of Egg Harbor Twp., NJ, after he was killed in a collision with a drunk driver near Woodstown in July 2000, two months after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, where he was named the Outstanding HERO of his graduating class. The HERO Campaign promotes its message of safe and sober designated driving in partnership with prevention agencies, high schools, colleges, law enforcement, bars and taverns, and professional sports teams.

Ventnor’s Ford Explorer was a former K9 vehicle that had been retrofitted for patrol use and now will be a “rolling billboard” for the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers. “We are proud to partner with the HERO Campaign to put this community-policing vehicle on the road with its messaging aimed at putting a stop to drinking and driving,” said Ventnor Police Chief Joe Fussner. “This eye-catching, colorful addition to our Ventnor Police Department fleet will help remind our city’s residents and visitors not to drink and drive, and to plan for a designated driver to get everyone home safely.”

Linwood’s Police Department is not new to the HERO fleet, but after its former HERO SUV was retired, another Linwood PD Ford Explorer was wrapped with decals bearing the HERO Campaign logo and designated driver messaging. “Our HERO vehicle has always been well received in Linwood and we’re glad to have a newer one on the streets of our city,” said Linwood Police Chief Steve Cunningham. “Whether the vehicle is on patrol or going to a school or community event it encourages the use of designated drivers to get everyone home safely.”

Fabietti, Hale, Hammerstedt & Powers, PA has sponsored both the Ventnor and Linwood police vehicle wraps, as part of an overall commitment of financial and volunteer resources to support the HERO Campaign in 2022.

Other towns with HERO patrol cars are Atlantic City, Evesham Township, Longport, Lower Township, Middle Township, Ocean City, Pleasantville, Sea Isle City, and Vineland. All the vehicles bear the HERO slogan, “Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver.”

In addition to law enforcement, the HERO Campaign partners with bar and tavern owners, schools and colleges, and professional sports teams throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and other states in the Northeast to register thousands of designated drivers annually.

For more information on the HERO Campaign, visit herocampaign.org or call 609-626-3880.