08/31/2026
Dear East Greenwich Neighbors,
Recently, I had the privilege of joining Chief Matthew Brenner and the East Greenwich Township Police Department for the public unveiling of EGPD's new HERO Campaign patrol vehicle. Wrapped in the campaign's bright blue and yellow alongside our department's green and gold, the cruiser carries one powerful message: Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver. East Greenwich is the 51st agency in New Jersey to join the HERO Campaign's patrol vehicle fleet — and the first in Gloucester County. We were honored to be joined at the unveiling by campaign founder Bill Elliott and NBC10's Siobhan McGirl, who interviewed our participants and shared our story with the region.
The HERO Campaign was founded in memory of Navy Ensign John R. Elliott, a Naval Academy graduate killed by a drunk driver in July 2000 while driving home to New Jersey for his mother's birthday. His family turned tragedy into a movement that has recruited over 150,000 designated drivers — and inspired "John's Law," which marks its 25th anniversary this month. Since August 2001, the law's 12-hour impound requirement for DUI arrests has taken an estimated 700,000 vehicles off New Jersey roads before an intoxicated driver could get back behind the wheel.
This mission matters because drunk driving remains one of America's most preventable tragedies: according to MADD, 32 people are killed in drunk-driving crashes every day — one every 44 minutes. Our police department is doing its part right here at home. DWI arrests have averaged about 45 per year over the past three years — roughly double the prior three-year average — with 52 arrests in 2024 and 48 in 2025, and DWI cases climbing from 6.5% of departmental arrests in 2019 to 21.8% in 2025. Special recognition belongs to Officer Randy Jenkins, recipient of MADD New Jersey's 2025 Recognition of Excellence Award, and Officer Charlie McLaughlin, named Gloucester County's "Top Cop" for the most DWI arrests in 2023 and 2025.
The new HERO vehicle will serve as a rolling billboard throughout our township, but the message only works if we live it. Before your next night out, make a plan — choose a designated driver, and take the HERO Pledge at www.herocampaign.org. Thank you to Chief Brenner and EGPD, the Elliott family, and the support of our great community in making sure we all get home safely!
Please use the link view the recent NBC news story as well:
https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/video/news/local/hero-campaign-expands-to-east-greenwich/4455336/?_branch_match_id=1623058559960612522&utm_medium=share&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz0tKLsjIzElMSc0B0ol6iQUFejmZedn6Lo5FVW6epmGRpkn2dUWpaalFRZl56fFJRfnlxalFtq4p6akAYE8kPEQAAAA%3D
HERO Campaign expands to East Greenwich – NBC10 Philadelphia
Eileen Hollingshead Committeewoman, East Greenwich Township
East Greenwich Township Police Department is the first agency in Gloucester County to have a HERO campaign patrol car, partnering with the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers. NBC10’s Siobhan McGirl has more.
