West Windsor honors K‑9 Hodge and proclaims "Communities of Light Day" for Unity

At the start of its Oct. 27 meeting, the West Windsor Township Council held two ceremonial recognitions.

Chief Garofolo of the West Windsor Police Department presented a plaque honoring K‑9 Hodge and credited Peter and Leona Hodge for long-time support to regional law enforcement, including funding bulletproof vests and donating resources for the department's K‑9 program. Chief Garofolo read the plaque: "In memory of K‑9 Hodge to Mrs. Leona Hodge, who faithfully served the West Windsor Police Department from 2019 to 2025. Your generosity made his service possible. Named in honor of your late husband, Peter Hodge, K‑9 Hodge became our department's first narcotics canine responsible for major seizures, arrests, and countless contributions to the safety of our community." The chief thanked the Hodge family for "generations" of support.

The council also read a proclamation honoring Unity (formerly Woman's Space) and proclaimed Oct. 27, 2025 as Communities of Light Day. The proclamation described Unity's services since 1977, citing shelter, counseling and hotlines and listing aggregate service counts included in the proclamation (for example, the text read numbers for people assisted over decades). Reverend Susan Victor, identified in the meeting as chief operating officer and client and community services director for Unity, came forward to accept the proclamation.

Council members and attendees were invited to the luminary display outside the municipal building, and the council acknowledged Unity's Communities of Light fundraiser and public-awareness activities.