In most towns, getting your morning coffee at Starbucks does not include the sight of a neon pink police car parked at the Maserati dealership next door. But in Westport, this is no surprise during October.

October is national Breast Cancer Awareness month and Westport shows their support in a unique way, painting a cop car pink.

Police Chief Foti Koskinas goes into detail about the department’s involvement in raising Breast Cancer awareness. “The Police Department went one step further and created a community business partnership with Maserati to help raise awareness in the community,” Koskinas said.

For the past few weeks, Koskinas and the rest of the police department have been driving the pink Maserati around Westport to show support for the cause. The signature car also makes appearances at a variety of events, such as breast cancer awareness walks and fundraisers throughout October.

Courtesy of Maserati of Westport, this car aims to create more recognition of the illness. The car is currently on loan from the dealership. “In November we will give it back to Maserati of Westport. Then they will remove the ‘wrap’ and be able to sell the vehicle,” Officer Ned Batlin of the Westport Police Department said.

Amanda Parker is a breast cancer survivor and mother of current and former Staples students. Parker is passionate about Breast Cancer awareness and is glad to see efforts taken by her community. “I think it will impact [Westport] in a positive way by spreading awareness and showing support,” Parker said.

On Oct. 21, the Westport Hadassah chapter will be holding a fall fundraiser honoring Parker. Hadassah is an American Jewish volunteer organization run by women all over the country. They get involved each October by honoring different breast cancer survivors.

Samantha Parker ’20 supports her mother by helping to raise even more awareness for the illness, similar to the goal of the pink Maserati. Samantha Parker is a member of Pink Aid, a student-run club at Staples High School that supports the national organization.

“Everything that Westport does to spread breast cancer awareness, from the pink out games, to all the walks and clubs, are all really great,” Samantha Parker said.

Another Staples student experienced the hardships of breast cancer in her own home. “My mom had breast cancer when I was in sixth grade, and although it was a low stage, it burdened my family,” Lauren Spheeris ’21 said. “She had to go through chemotherapy which was very time consuming for her as well as for all of my family.”

Because of Spheeris’ experience, she agrees that the pink police car is a creative way to raise awareness throughout Westport.