Somerset County launches Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign with 7 pink police vehicles
SOMERVILLE, N.J. (Somerset County) — Somerset County officials and law enforcement agencies kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Thursday with seven police vehicles wrapped in pink to promote early detection and routine medical screenings.
Commissioner Director Shanel Y. Robinson, Deputy Director Paul M. Drake, Commissioner Melonie Marano, Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Surrogate Bernice “Tina” Jalloh, Sheriff Darrin J. Russo, County Clerk Steve Peter, the Somerset County Chiefs of Police Association and community partners gathered for a brief ceremony on the Historic Courthouse Green in Somerville.
“This is no time to look away or ease up on this fight,” said Commissioner Director Shanel Y. Robinson. “That’s where the pink police vehicles come in. When our residents see them driving down the street, they’ll serve as vibrant reminders to do a self-exam or make an appointment to get their annual mammogram.”
The initiative features seven police vehicles wrapped in pink. The wrapping of this year’s vehicles was funded by Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, Peapack Private Bank & Trust, Open Road Auto Group and the Far Hills Race Meeting Association.
Throughout October, the pink police vehicles will appear at community events across Somerset County to raise awareness, promote early detection and encourage people to schedule routine medical screenings.
Participating law enforcement agencies include the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, Far Hills Police Department, Peapack-Gladstone Police Department, Franklin Township Police Department, Watchung Police Department and Bedminster Police Department.
“The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office is deeply committed to assisting residents to maintain awareness of breast cancer and to provide reliable information for early detection,” Prosecutor McDonald said. “Every credible medical study emphasizes the critical importance of early detection. The Pink Cars utilized by law enforcement throughout Somerset County help connect residents with valuable resources for early detection. A resident’s ability to scan a QR code and set up a medical screening at no charge is an important service we render to the community.”
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women besides skin cancers and accounts for about one in three new cancers diagnosed in women annually.
An estimated 321,910 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2026, while about 2,670 men are expected to be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year.
Somerset County is encouraging people to take proactive steps toward early detection, with screening recommended for both men and women.
