Office of the Hunterdon County Prosecutor

Transcription

1 Office of the Hunterdon County Prosecutor ANTHONY P. KEARNS, III PROSECUTOR JOHN J. KUCZYNSKI CHIEF OF DETECTIVES JAMES J. JANCI FIRST ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR Justice Center, 2 nd Floor 65 Park Avenue PO Box 756 Flemington, NJ Telephone Fax Revised PRESS RELEASE November 15th, 2012 Hunterdon County Prosecutor Announces Safe Driving Initiative Results and Partnerships in Launching a Holiday Designated Driver Campaign. Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III announced today that the Somerset Prosecutors, Hunterdon and Somerset County Law Enforcement and Sheriffs along with a continuing partnership with the Safe Communities Coalition of Hunterdon & Somerset, are promoting safe driving programs for the upcoming holiday season. The HERO campaign, a campaign dedicated to preventing drunken driving tragedies by promoting the use of safe and sober designated drivers, is another joint initiative which was kicked off in a September ceremony by Somerset County Sheriff Frank Provenzano, Hunterdon County Sheriff Fredrick Brown, Empower Somerset and Coalition members at the Somerset Patriots Baseball game at TD Bank Ball Park. On November 20th, at noon Be a Somerset Hunterdon Hero awareness campaigns will be launching for the holiday and winter season from the Historic Court House in Flemington, N.J. (see page 6) Prosecutor Kearns said today, We are grateful to be working together with our partners in Somerset County and with the Safe Coalition. Teaming with Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey Soriano earlier this year, Hunterdon County was able to launch the distractive driving initiative PUT IT DOWN. The purpose of this initiative is to raise public awareness regarding the dangers of distracted driving, and thereby reduce related car accidents and save lives.

2 Sponsors participating this past summer with the Prosecutors Office on the PUT IT DOWN campaign included the Hunterdon Healthcare System, Hunterdon Prevention Resources (HPR), Hunterdon County Chiefs of Police Association, Police Departments, and students from Hunterdon Central High School who are members of the Safe Communities Coalition for Hunterdon. Kearns continues, PUT IT DOWN was a successful prevention and awareness campaign. The credit goes to the police departments, their officers and the motorists who heeded the advice posted on the warning notice. These motorists took the time not only to view the educational video, but also to share it with their children and acquaintances. 263 warning notices were issued, and 257 motorists complied with the requirements to avoid a summons by viewing the required video and test at HPR s Associate Executive Director, Lesley Gabel, stated The feedback and comments that were provided by these participants after viewing the video were extremely positive. The PUT IT DOWN campaign was successful in educating the public about distracted driving. Many felt having to view the video was more of a deterrent for using their cell phones while driving than if they had to pay a fine. We are most appreciative of Prosecutor Kearns and the county law enforcement for implementing a strong preventative program that will save lives. Over 80 who viewed the video shared their comments online: 1. Very well worth watching 2. Very inspirational, sad. 3. Thanks! 4. Intense 5. Very informative and dramatic - much more effective then just giving a ticket. 6. I found it helpful and appreciate the warning. I am from out of state and we don't have this law in Florida. 7. Thank you for the video, I shared it with my family. 8. Put some adults in the next video...it's not just kids who are texting This video opened my eyes. 10. Thank you so much for showing me and all of the people how horrible things can happen with all the texting and using the phone during driving. I already sent a message telling all my kids and my friends to "Stop Texting and Driving" Thanks again to providing that video, it was very shocking and a great lesson. 11. Very meaningful and thought provoking. 12. I have never texted, costs too much. I was deeply touched and saddened to see such loss of life caused by such a senseless act. May they rest in peace. I will continue to not text and not use my phone. Thank you for this wakeup call. 13. GREAT MOVIE STIRRING THOUGHTS 14. Sad and poignant however I was not texting and while not on hands free my phone was on speaker. If both options are on warning ticket then there should be 2 videos one that actually applies to my offense. 15. The documentary had a heavy impact and has changed my views on the importance of devoting full attention to the road and saving the meaningless phone call or text for later! 16. It was a well made video. Got my attention. 2

3 17. This is a very good idea. I would recommend making the questions harder so that people have to really pay attention to what is being said. 18. Point well taken 19. Very Very GOOD. Should be shown to high school kids in Health class. 20. So sad. 21. Very helpful 22. Everybody who has a cell phone should watch this video! 23. This video was a real eye opener and I will be sharing it with others. 24. I ABSOLUTELY AGREE. WELL DONE. 25. Powerful Documentary 26. I cried during half of the documentary. I feel that the film has had more of an impact on me deciding to not text while driving than a $250 punishment would. 27. Very sad and compelling an eye opener! 28. Made me think. 29. Fantastic video. It should be required for all kids getting their license. 30. Very emotional video. 31. Great video.. I'll never text and drive again! I especially would like to thank the officer for giving me this warning/home work assignment, instead of a ticket. That was sweeet :) 32. I think what you are doing and showing is wonderful. sorry I was an offender 33. Touching. Tearful. Not worth it. 34. Has powerful impact. 35. Very touching leaves you thinking 36. This is a very good medium of communicating with drivers who are involved in texting and driving, after watching this, I had my whole family watch it, especially my 17 year old daughter who just hit the wheel about 6 months ago. 37. I have forwarded this web address to The Belvidere school system to share with all of our high school students. 38. This is an excellent and horrific video. It should be a mandatory video showed to get your driver's license and shown in every high school. This video will stay in my mind forever. 39. It was very eye opening. 40. I doubt anyone can watch this heartbreaking film without shedding tears! Although I do not text while driving, I believe talking on my cell WITH OR WITHOUT engaging my Bluetooth can be equally as distracting; no call is worth anyone's life. I was COMPELLED TO SHARE this video on facebook. Hopefully this program/film has been introduced to ALL high schools. 41. Very moving video. 42. Very informative, and heartbreaking. Good reality check. 43. The video was well presented with actual events. I believe a high percentage of drivers would greatly benefit by it, as opposed to paying a fine. 44. thank you 45. Good video. Wish more people would watch. 46. Really great video. It definitely made the point. 47. Good Video 48. Excellent link. I will share with my niece who will be 16 this year and learning to drive. 49. Very Sad to watch I am mother of a 21 and 16 year old daughters. I should be a positive example to them, and am ashamed to have been talking on the phone and to have them know that I have 3

4 done something I tell them every day not to do. This video will change that. I will do what I say "stay off the phone, no talking or texting". 51. This is a good video, though it is clearly aimed at young people. Would be good to have one for all ages! 52. Thank You it was eye opening. 53. It was excellent. I hope to have all of my kids watch it. This was a much better deterrent than a ticket. 54. This initiative is outstanding. An effective tool in educating motorists to the dangers of cell phone use while driving. 55. This really did show me that texting and driving and talking on the phone kills. Very sad video blew my mind. 56. Very good video and message. 57. RECOMMEND THAT EVERY ONE HAS TO BE DRIVING WITH HIGHER CONSCIOUSNESS AND DO NOT USE THE PHONE, COULD BE DEADLY. 58. I think the video should have included a story about someone who was on the phone (as in calls). 59. I thought the documentary was powerful, but my warning was for talking on the phone, not texting while driving. Perhaps you could include some statistics and stories of folks that have had accidents blamed on talking on the phone rather than just texting. 60. This video is really good. It was emotional. Didn't drag on. Got the point across really well. Made you feel a connection. The cinematography was good. It was well executed and I think it has affected me on texting and driving. 61. Very good program- thank you. 62. After watching this video, made me realize that texting really can wait. 63. I appreciate this opportunity and have taken it to heart very much. Thank you. 64. I believe this was more powerful than a ticket! 65. Good video. It hits home. 66. This was a very informative video... I think this is a great idea to have people view this. 67. Excellent film. Very sad but extremely effective for me. Huge impact made, keep this initiative going please. 68. Very good documentary... strong message, effective method to raise awareness, but warnings and answering questions about a video is pointless Thank you for making me watch this video. I will tell anyone and everyone about this video. I hope this video prevents these senseless accidents. I will never talk on the phone without my hands-free device again. 70. It would be great if this documentary or initiative did not only include teen drivers who were texting This was a very good video which explains why using your phone and driving is dangerous. 72. Very informative. Going to use this at my next safety training meeting. 73. Very informative video - makes one think and reflect...very straight and to the point. 74. Made my son watch the video with me. More people need to watch the video. 75. Very eye opening, applaud this documentary which needs to be seen by everyone., 76. Gracias,este video me a dado la oportunidad de ver la realidad y de lo ingnorante que somos. mi vida y las de los demas vale mas que un mensaje. hoy porque el oficial ID 0033 y AT&T tengo la oportunidad de decir gracias. 77. Great video. Should be shown in all drivers education courses. Thanks for the "reality check" 4

5 78. This video is very educational and I will stop texting/talking while driving. 79. Very good video, didn't realize it was that much of a distraction. 80. Don't play with your life, be focused in what you are doing when it is something that can kill you or someone else! 81. Thank you for the opportunity to view this video. I have seen segments of it before and appreciate the reminder even though I was not texting but talking. Thank you. 82. Great video, I hope all new drivers are made to see this! 83. This is a very good thing and I will pass it on to those who text. Thanks. 84. Great Initiative! That simple 10 minute video had a greater impact on me than any ticket could have. Be a Somerset & Hunterdon HERO 5

6 Office of the Hunterdon County Prosecutor ANTHONY P. KEARNS, III PROSECUTOR JOHN J. KUCZYNSKI CHIEF OF DETECTIVES JAMES J. JANCI FIRST ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR Justice Center, 2 nd Floor 65 Park Avenue PO Box 756 Flemington, NJ Telephone Fax You are invited to Be a HERO. This is a campaign dedicated in preventing drunk driving tragedies by promoting the use of safe and sober designated drivers. The Hunterdon and Somerset County Prosecutor Offices, Somerset and Hunterdon Sheriff Offices, Safe Communities Coalition of Hunterdon and Somerset Counties, Empower Somerset, Hunterdon County Police Departments, along with our partners, the Somerset and Hunterdon Chiefs of Police Associations, want you to Be a HERO. Please join us on November 20 th, 2012 at the Historic Hunterdon County Courthouse in Flemington, NJ, at noon, to launch the HERO campaign. Activities will include a brief introduction of the campaign followed by light refreshments. The HERO campaign seeks to change behavior, in addition to heightening awareness, about the epidemic of drunk driving in our country. Having a designated driver will become as automatic as wearing a seatbelt. My partners and I are hopeful you will attend and support this very important, collaborative effort. Anthony P. Kearns, III Anthony P. Kearns, III Hunterdon County Prosecutor Be a Somerset & Hunterdon HERO

7 SOMERSET/HUNTERDON COUNTIES HERO Campaign Team Flemington Event SOMERSET/HUNTERDON Holiday HERO Campaign HUNTERDON Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns III Chief John Kuczynski Sheriff Fred Brown Hunterdon County Police Chiefs Association President Chief Sebastian Donaruma Hunterdon/Somerset Safe Communities Coalition Lesley Gabel Peggy Dowd SOMERSET Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano Sheriff Frank Provenzano Lt. Steve SanAntonio Barbara Bye (confidential aide) Somerset County Chiefs of Police Association President Chief William Parenti Tuesday, November 20, 2012 Parking: Parking is reserved on Main Street in front of the Union Hotel across from the Old Court House for marked police units. Reserved Parking for Somerset Units, New Jersey State Police, Hunterdon County Sheriff and additional marked units. Additional parking is located at the rear of the Union Hotel, Flemington Police Department and behind the Old Court House. 11:30am Staging Area: Historic Court House Steps 12:00pm Start: Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns III, Welcome- Pledge of Allegiance introduction - Somerset Sheriff Frank J. Provenzano Sr. accompanied by Hunterdon County Sheriff Fredrick Brown. Sheriff Provenzano to lead the salute to the flag and moment of silence. Invocation by:. Prosecutor Kearns, Opening Remarks-Introduction of Attendees Sheriff Provenzano, HERO What it s all about? HERO Campaign stakeholders Prosecutor Kearns Introduction of Lt. Colonel Louis Klock, New Jersey State Police, for remarks. Prosecutor Kearns Introduction of HPR/Safe Coalition Lesley Gabel for remarks. Recognition of partnerships and establishments participating in the awareness. Remarks on Prevention. Prosecutor Kearns, (Introduction of any other speaker) Other Speaker(s) Remarks Hunterdon County BAR other Donor(S) Checks to be presented HERO Campaign Foundation. Closing Remarks HERO TEAM GROUP PHOTOS EmPower Somerset Director Brenda Esler Cheryl Torres