The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) recently announced that law enforcement agencies across the state will unite on Thanksgiving Eve, also know as “Blackout Wednesday” for the first coordinated statewide enforcement operation under the Goal Zero campaign.
This enhanced enforcement on November 26th turns a successful local program into a comprehensive statewide traffic safety effort aligned with New Jersey’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe System Approach.
Goal Zero promotes a shared commitment to zero deaths, zero injuries, zero crashes on New Jersey’s roads.
The program’s origins are rooted in a tragic event. In January 2024, after a deadly crash on Highway 34 in Howell Township that killed a three-year-old child. Holmdel Police Officer Matt Menosky acted to prevent future heartbreak.
He initiated high-visibility enforcement details across the county from 3-7 P.M. The outcome was clear: fatal crashes in Monmouth County dropped from 39 in 2024 to 15 in 2025, a 61% decrease and 24 lives saved. While many factors impacted this decline, Goal Zero was instrumental in focusing resources, attention and shared resolve.
Thanksgiving Eve, also known as Blackout Wednesday or “Drinksgiving” traditionally marks the beginning of the seasonal increase in impaired driving.
“On November 26th, between 3-7 PM, the Fairfield Police Department will be joining other law enforcement agencies in participating in Goal Zero, by conducting high-visibility patrols on high-risk roads in our town. In addition, our efforts will continue throughout the weekend”said Chief Anthony G. Manna. “Our purpose in telling the public in advance is to hopefully deter individuals from driving under the influence and to hopefully use ride share agents or a designated driver so everyone can enjoy the holiday weekend,” said the chief.