The Hoboken Police Department will participate in the New Jersey Policemen’s Benevolent Association’s “#WhatsMyName” campaign to emphasize the S.A.M.I. strategy to rideshare users.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Countless people of all ages take ride-shares in Hoboken each and every day,” Hoboken Police Chief Steven Aguiar began in a statement.
“I wholeheartedly support this effort which will hopefully prevent a similar tragedy and protect other families from having to go through what Samantha Josephson’s loved ones had to endure.”
In March 2019, 21-year-old Samantha “Sami” Josephson, of Robbinsville, was kidnapped and murdered near the University of South Carolina by a man pretending to be her rideshare driver.
In response to this tragedy, Sami’s family created the #WhatsMyName Foundation to honor their daughter, and to educate riders on rideshare safety, reminding them to always follow S.A.M.I. – which means stop, ask, match, and inform.
Rideshare users are urged to stop and review safety features in the app, so you know how to use them and what to look for before getting in a vehicle and then ask the driver “what’s my name” to confirm you are the passenger they were assigned to.
Furthermore, riders are encouraged to match the make, model, and license plate of the car with the one displayed in the app and finally inform by sharing the details of your trip with a friend – as well as activating the “share status” function in the app.
The tragedy also inspired “Sami’s Law,” which was created to protect anyone using popular ride-sharing apps. The law requires rideshare drivers to display identification materials including reflective and/or illuminated company markers, and visible credential placards.
“Our ultimate goal is to help save lives and help reduce sexual assaults around the rideshare industry,” added Seymour Josephson, Sami’s father and founder of the What’s My Name Foundation.
“This partnership with the Hoboken Police Department gives us the ability to connect with many more people and have a better opportunity to make the impact that is needed in the Hoboken community.”
As part of this campaign, HPD will post rideshare safety tips on social media and the department’s website, hang banners in the community to educate the public, and work with other agencies and local businesses to spread this life-saving information on rideshare safety.
