TPD car helps raise awareness of heart disease

When the Florida State Seminoles won the national championship in January, the Tallahassee Police Department wrapped a cruiser in garnet and gold. When the pink craze swept through Tallahassee in October, they gave a car a pink tint in support of breast cancer awareness.

On Wednesday, a police cruiser was unveiled at the Tallahassee Police station as the latest to receive the redecoration treatment. Tallahassee Police's top brass, which included Deputy Chief Darrell Furuseth, and Majors Audrey Smith and Lonnie Scott, unveiled their latest creation — this time in support of heart health.

TPD, the Tallahassee Fire Department and the rest of city government are heading up an effort to raise money for the American Heart Association ahead of the group's annual Heart Walk at Tom Brown Park on Oct. 11.

The American Heart Association is devoted to fighting cardiovascular diseases and stroke, and also supports medical research efforts.

Every 34 seconds someone in the United States has a heart attack, and every 40 seconds someone suffers a stroke, said American Heart Association Tallahassee regional director Jeneane Nuzzo. One out of three people suffer from some form of cardiovascular disease.

The police cruiser is one part of that effort. The American Heart Association's iconic logo with a heart and torch is on the front hood and sides of Officer Mike Scandone's car. Scandone will park the car around downtown Tallahassee while he's on foot patrol.

"Normally he'll park it in a conspicuous place so people can see it while he's out," said Officer David Northway, TPD spokesman.

Tallahassee Police officers carry automated external defibrillators in their cars. Officers use them in emergencies when a person's heart stops.

The slogan "life is why" also adornseach side of the cruiser as part of the group's efforts to create a world from free of heart disease and stroke.

"This is an epidemic that not only plagues our nation but also this community. Nothing makes me more pleased than having this relationship and having the support of the Tallahassee Police Department," Nuzzo said. "The support and the community presence of TPD is paramount."

The campaign is personal for Nuzzo, who is now a happily-married mother, but was once stricken with a series of serious heart problems.

She's now spreading the word about heart health and the walk, which is designed to promote physical activity and heart-healthy living. It brings 3,000 to 4,000 people to Tom Brown Park each year. Last year, the Tallahassee walk raised about $240,000.

How to help

The Big Bend Heart Walk is at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11 at Tom Brown Park. For information, including how to register and how to donate, visit www.bigbendheartwalk.org.

For more information on the American Heart Association, visit www.heart.org.