Howell Police: From Crime Fighters To Cancer Fighters

Police officers are thought of as crime fighters, but Howell police officers are trying to add another title: Cancer fighters.

“No-Shave November” is in full swing, but the Howell Township Police Department decided to take it to the next level with its “ARREST CANCER” campaign, to raise money for prostate cancer research and treatment at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold.

Each person who donates $50 or more will be invited to the unveiling of the first Howell Township Police Department custom-painted cancer-fighting police vehicle, where those donors will be able to sign the vehicle permanently with their name or in honor of someone else, Detective Sgt. Christian Antunez said.

“Several Howell Township police officers have been participating in No-Shave November for a number of years now,” Antunez said. ”This year, we wanted to do something special as a police department, something unique and fun where we could involve our community, all in the name of fighting cancer.”

“We also wanted the moment of awareness to last past November, so Chief (Andrew) Kudrick thought of this great idea where people could sign a customized police car and leave a permanent mark on the charity for themselves or in honor of someone,“ Antunez said. “This way, the vehicle will get people talking and continue to draw attention to the cause year-round.”

Kudrick chose CentraState Medical Center as the recipient of the funds raised so that those funds would stay in the local community, Antunez said.

The patrol car being transformed into the cancer awareness vehicle is one that is no longer suitable for patrol use, Antunez said. It will receive a new, custom paint job specifically for this cause and will be prominently displayed at all Howell Township community functions, he said.

The unveiling ceremony will be held at Howell police headquarters in December, he said.

To make a donation to the cause, click here, or go to https://www.crowdrise.com/howelltownshippolice/fundraiser/christianantunez.

You must bring your receipt/email confirmation from this donation in order to sign your name on the car, he said.

In the meantime, Antunez said, you may see Howell Township police officers on routine patrol sporting creepy retro-mustaches, and detectives, or even Kudrick, with lumberjack beards, all in the name of treating and fighting cancer.

“There is no one specific who inspired (the effort),” Antunez said. “We see enough pain and suffering in our profession, including witnessing people bravely fighting cancer, sometimes losing the battle. That’s enough inspiration for us.”