Borough President Vito Fossella Cuts Ribbon On HELP Trucks

As part of the expansion of the Highway Emergency Local patrol program, Borough President Vito Fossella was on hand to help cut the ribbon on two new trucks which will offer free roadside emergency assistance to motorists in distress during peak weekday travel hours on the Staten Island Expressway.

The expansion into Staten Island was announced today by Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams. The HELP trucks, which will be staffed by trained and certified civilian employees of the NYPD, will patrol both directions of the SIE between Lily Pond Avenue and the Goethals Bridge from 6 a.m.to noon and from 2 p.m. through 8 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays to assist motorists who have mechanical difficulties or have been involved in minor accidents.

“Today marks a day where Staten Island joins the other boroughs in receiving adequate relief while experiencing vehicular distress traveling on the Staten Island Expressway,” said Borough President Fossella. “As Staten Islanders, we know the frustration when there is an incident of a vehicle breakdown or even a minor accident on the expressway. The entire flow of traffic on the Island is affected and its impact can disseminate throughout local neighborhood streets. The new HELP truck will not only provide aid to the motorist in need but also will also help those who are sitting in traffic as a result of the incident. We thank Governor Hochul, Mayor Adams, and the NYPD for expanding the HELP truck program to Staten Island.”