With a little help from residents, businesses and even a local film crew, the New Westminster Police Department has well surpassed its goal of collecting 50 cellphones for its victim assistance unit.
The donated phones will be given to victims of crime, in particular victims of domestic violence, so they can make emergency phone calls, access services, contact family and friends, and stay in touch with members of the police department, acting Sgt. Jeff Scott told the Record.
The police department’s month-long campaign kicked off Aug. 1 and within a week it had reached its goal of 50 phones. Before long, boxes started arriving at the police station, and by Aug. 16 the department had more than 150 phones destined for victims and people at-risk.
“It was certainly something that was really encouraging for us to see that we’re getting partnership with everybody to fulfill this valuable need,” Scott said.
Handing out cellphones to victims isn’t something new. Investigators and victim assistance team members often pass out cellphones to victims. They do so for several reasons but the most important reason is to make sure people can get access to emergency services when they need it, Scott said.
“We want to make sure that people are equipped and able to have those important communication devices for reaching out to friends, family and, of course, any sort of emergency services that they require,” he said.
While the department has already hit its target of 50 cellphones, Scott said people can still drop off used cellphones at the station until the end of the month. Phones must have a battery and a charger. SIM cards, contracts and service agreements are not needed. The station is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day and is located at 555 Columbia St.
