After Uber Tragedy, Hoboken Police Join Safety Campaign

HOBOKEN, NJ — To lower the risks when taking an Uber or similar car share service, the Hoboken Police Department has joined the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association to promote the #WhatsMyName campaign.

In March of 2019, 21-year-old Samantha “Sami” Josephson of Robbinsville, N.J., was kidnapped and murdered near the University of South Carolina by a man pretending to be her rideshare driver. She had ordered an Uber before the man pulled up.

In response to this tragedy, Sami’s family created the #WhatsMyName Foundation to honor their daughter, and to educate riders on rideshare safety, reminding them to always follow S.A.M.I.

The tragedy also inspired “Sami’s Law.” The law requires rideshare drivers to display identification materials including reflective and/or illuminated company markers, and visible credential placards.

As part of this campaign, HPD will post rideshare safety tips on social media and the department’s website, hang banners in the community to educate the public, and work with other agencies and local businesses to spread this life-saving information on rideshare safety.

“Countless people of all ages take ride-shares in Hoboken each and every day,” said Police Chief Steven Aguiar. “I wholeheartedly support this effort which will hopefully prevent a similar tragedy and protect other families from having to go through what Samantha Josephson’s loved ones had to endure.”

"Our ultimate goal is to help save lives and help reduce sexual assaults around the rideshare industry," said Seymour Josephson, Sami's father and founder of the What's My Name Foundation. "This partnership with the Hoboken Police Department gives us the ability to connect with many more people and have a better opportunity to make the impact that is needed in the Hoboken community."

For more information on the #WhatsMyName Foundation, please go to www.whatsmyname.org. Follow the Hoboken Police Department on Twitter at @HobokenPD.