Freehold Township Officers Join in Plane Pull for Charity

Lt. Todd Smith of the Freehold Township Police Department knows how much a Boeing 737 weighs. Smith and 19 other officers put so much effort into pulling the 93,000-pound load during the 2007 Special Olympics New Jersey Plane Pull that the rope snapped.

“We’re the only team to ever break the rope,” Smith said.

The broken rope is mounted in the Freehold Township Police Department, along with banners, posters and plaques commemorating the law enforcement agency’s involvement with various Special Olympics New Jersey events.

For the past seven years, the Freehold Township PBA #209 team has participated in the Special Olympics New Jersey Plane Pull, dragging a 93,000-pound plane along the tarmac. The 2011 Plane Pull will take place on Saturday, Oct. 1 at Newark Liberty International Airport.

“It’s a fun day because it’s Airport Family Day for the airline employees. They come out to watch,” Smith said.

The Freehold Township officers will compete against 40 other teams in two events: the fastest pull, in which the teams try to move the plane 12 feet in the fastest amount of time, and the lowest combined weight pull, in which the team with the lowest weight to successfully pull the aircraft 12 feet in under two minutes wins. The team that raises the most money is also recognized.

The Plane Pull, now in its 15th year, is hosted by United Airlines and the Port Authority of NY & NJ. It is one of a series of events sponsored by the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey throughout the year. Other events include an Adopt-a-Cop campaign for the annual Torch Run, two Polar Bear Plunges, the Lincoln Tunnel Challenge 5K Fun Run/Walk, golf outings, and motorcycle runs.

Proceeds from the Plane Pull benefit the 22,000 Special Olympic athletes who train and compete year-round. To sponsor the Freehold Township PBA #209 Plane Pull team, visit the Special Olympics New Jersey Web site.