Bristol-Myers Squibb donates funds for North Brunswick police defibrillators

NORTH BRUNSWICK – The North Brunswick Police Department accepted a donation of $5,000 from Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) that will be used to purchase six automated external defibrillators (AED) for patrol vehicles.

“We are in the health care saving business and that’s what we want to do,” Kenneth Freeman, corporate security manager for BMS, said during the Oct. 15 North Brunswick Township Council meeting. “I can’t even speak to how much the North Brunswick Police Department helps us out. We have a great partnership and I look forward to continuing that.”

North Brunswick offers the primary response for police, fire and first aid calls to BSM, which lies between North Brunswick and New Brunswick, according to Police Capt. Brian Hoiberg.

“This goes back to being a good neighbor,” Hoiberg said. “It shows that BMS appreciates they’re here in North Brunswick, they appreciate being in the community … and they are saying ‘thank you’ for being there as their neighbor.”

Deputy Police Chief Joseph Battaglia added, “I think it’s always worthwhile when you can partner with anybody, or any corporation, in town. It improves relationships.”

According to Freeman in a subsequent interview, this is not the first time BMS has donated to the police department.

“We have a good partnership. They help us with our health fair. They’re good neighbors. … They are a good police department,” he said. “They are responsive not only for us but for everyone in the neighborhood.”

Contact Jennifer Amato at [email protected].