Faces in Prevention

Chief Vince Borrelli
Camden , NJ

Chief Borrelli is currently serving his 42 nd year in law enforcement. Since his first job at the Philadelphia Police Department in 1963, he has held a number of positions throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey . "When I was a young man, I was looking for a career that was exciting, adventurous, and that would put me in a position where I could help people," said Borrelli. "At the time, I was not in any position to attend college, so I chose a career path that interested me and provided an opportunity for advancement."

During his time with the Philadelphia Police Department, Officer Borrelli provided personal security to the late Mayor Frank L. Rizzo and to presidents, vice presidents, and world leaders from around the globe. He has received several awards as a member of the Crime Fighting Line Squad and the Elite Highway Patrol Motorcycle Drill Team. After more than 18 years in the department, Borrelli left Philadelphia to become the police chief of Bradford , PA. He eventually returned to Philadelphia and joined the U.S. Marshall Service for a year before he was offered the position of chief in West Wildwood, NJ. After that, Chief Borrelli became the public safety director at Mercer Medical Center in Trenton , NJ , and then advanced to his current position as chief public safety officer for the Delaware River Port Authority.

In this position, Chief Borrelli oversees the authority's Crime Prevention and Drug/Alcohol Awareness Units, which have been in existence for more than 11 years. "I am very proud of the men and women who serve in these two units. They have helped improve the quality of life in so many areas of our region," said Borrelli. "They have spent a countless number of hours in making presentations and touching the lives of so many of our young people. They also cater to adults and parents in an effort to provide information on drugs and alcohol and to educate them on the danger signs of these issues."

Chief Borrelli believes that prevention is an important tool against crime, and the positive effects of his two units are evident in the many letters of thanks and praise that his department receives. "Educating our children and the general public in taking precautionary measures will always help reduce criminal incidents and/or injuries to victims," he said. "It's just like the old adage: 'An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure.'"

Rhonda Wardlaw
Annapolis , MD

Rhonda Wardlaw, news director of WNAV radio in Annapolis , MD , works with her local police department every weekday when the radio station airs the morning "Police Report." This three-minute report, produced with the Annapolis Police Department, provides public safety information and updates listeners on police activity in their community.

"I started working with the Police Department basically when I needed to get news information," said Wardlaw. "However, it became evident that the department was a device to connect with the community in several ways. We obviously related safety information, but as time went on I also used their expertise to produce radio shows on drug abuse among children, protecting residents from becoming victims, and community watch programs."

On her weekly talk show, Wardlaw often discusses police department programs. She enjoys this segment of her work because she helps provide the community with important information and advice.

"The big reward is when I get a call about a show or news story, and a resident says they appreciated what the department was doing and asks for more information on one of the programs the department is currently conducting. I really get a sense that the community is connecting with the department and realizes how valuable it is to the community."

Wardlaw worked in television for 23 years before making the switch to radio and moving to the East Coast. "If I accomplish anything, I hope in some of my special programming that I have put a face to the badge and blue uniform of these brave men and women," concluded Wardlaw.