A few years ago, the Jersey City Police Department got involved in a series of basketball games called the “We Care” program, which brought members of the police department to the housing projects in the city for a charity basketball game. It was a way to promote community pride and camaraderie between the police force and the residents of the projects. Soon after, Jersey City Deputy Police Chief Thomas Kane, who has been active with the Hudson County Special Olympics for years, decided that it might be a good idea to have a charity fundraiser involving the police. Thus, the “Battle of the Shields” basketball game, played between the Jersey City Police and the Hudson County’s Sheriff’s Officers, was born. The game was held Thursday night at Hudson Catholic High School. It was the third annual game, and organizers believed it was the best one to date. “We really went all out this year,” said Lt. Willie Costigan of the Violent Crimes Unit. “This game was just part of an overall effort to raise money for the Special Olympics.” Costigan said that there was a gigantic groundswell of support from the community for the game. “Last year, we charged admission to the game, and we didn’t have to this year,” Costigan said. “The money was being raised from raffles for a television, a few bicycles, a 50-50, some autographed sports memorabilia. And the local merchants really came out and helped us.” Costigan said that McDonald’s donated hundreds of Happy Meals to be distributed to youngsters who attended the game. Liberty Wholesale provided soft drinks and Sabrett’s supplied the hot dogs that were sold. “That was my job,” Costigan said. “I boiled the water and made the hot dogs and ran the concession stand. I’m too old to be playing. But the local merchants really came through for us in a big way.” Hudson Catholic donated the use of the gymnasium for the event. The police were also able to secure some celebrities who attended the game. Former New York Jets Super Bowl hero Matt Snell, former New York Mets first baseman Ed Kranepool and heavyweight contender Andrew Golota were just some of the sports personalities who attended to lend their support. “Matt Snell is a local businessman who was contacted and offered his support right away,” Costigan said. “We were able to get Ed Kranepool through his association with Willie Wolfe, who also came through for us in getting items to raffle off. And one of our officers got to know Andrew Golota from boxing circles and asked if he could attend. It was great the way the community all rallied together.” Kane and retired officer Vincent Adler have been involved with Special Olympics for many years, so the idea came to donate all the proceeds of the game toward the worthy charity. “There are a lot of other officers who are also involved with Special Olympics, so it really made sense to give the money to them,” Costigan said. Although it is always a friendly game for a good cause, there is also the rivalry involved, the sense of pride that accompanies the contest. “Even though it’s for charity, you know that they want to win, and up in Deputy Kane’s office, there are always talks of how much we want to win,” Costigan said. “It’s a bang-up game and the competition is good.” So who won this year’s battle? The Jersey City Police, spearheaded by solid performances from officers Eddie Dolan, Alex Frazier and Bob Kilduff, defeated the Sheriff’s Officers. And the pride will remain with the Jersey City’s finest for another year.
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