Pink Police Car Hoods Make A Statement In Marlboro

MARLBORO, NJ — Pink is the new black and white for several patrol cars in the Marlboro Police Department fleet this month.

To mark October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the department had the hoods of some police cars covered in pink to make a more noticeable statement about the seriousness of the disease.

In years past, Marlboro police officers would wear a pink pin on their uniform in recognition of the lives lost to breast cancer and to bring awareness to the cause, said Capt. Stephen Levy.

"This year, Chief Peter Pezzullo wanted to try something a little different that may bring even more attention to the cause and hence the idea for the pink hoods was created," he said.

The pink hoods consist of a vinyl wrap that were installed by Atlantic Application of Colts Neck. They will remain on the vehicles until the end of the month.

"We remember the lives lost to this devastating disease and continue to fight for a cure," the department posted on its Facebook site.

For nearly four decades now, the country has recognized October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, according to the Susan G. Komen organization that brings awareness and funding for breast cancer patients.

"It is a time annually devoted to educating everyone about breast cancer — including metastatic breast cancer — and the importance of early detection and access to timely, high-quality care," the organization said.

The organization said that early detection and improvements in treatment has decreased the mortality rate.

But "progress may be in jeopardy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people delayed their regular breast cancer screening. The pandemic disrupted treatment and research progress. And more progress is still needed," the organization said.

The organization was formed in 1980 by Nancy G. Brinker who promised her dying sister, Susan, that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. The organization has become a global movement. It has invested more than $3.3 billion in research, community health outreach, advocacy and programs in more than 60 countries, its website says.

Visit Susan G. Komen to learn more about breast cancer treatment and prevention - and about early detection through mammograms.