Philly Police, FOP Collect Old Cell Phones For Victims Of Domestic Abuse
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Philadelphia Police Department and the Fraternal Order of Police are spearheading a drive to collect old cell phones to help victims of domestic violence.
It's the annual collection of old cell phones through Verizon's HopeLine initiative.
Police Captain Lou Campione says you can drop the phones - working or not - at any police district, detective division headquarters or the Special Victims Unit.
"These phones will be reconditioned and given to abuse victims so that they have access 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days out of the year to the Philadelphia Police Department," Campione said.
Katie Young Wildes, from Women Against Abuse, says the phones are a valuable resource the agency provides to people.
"They come through our doors with just the clothes on their backs, and it's such a relief to give them a cell phone," Wildes said. "These phones truly serve as lifelines for help and allow survivors to reconnect safely with loved ones."
Verizon Wireless pays to recondition the phones and those that can no longer be used, the company provides new or gently used phones for distribution.
