Borough President James S. Oddo joined District Attorney Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. to present 80 used cell phones to Safe Horizon on April 9 at Borough Hall. The Borough President’s office collected the cell phones last year at a drive held at Borough Hall.With reports of domestic violence incidence rising to staggering levels on Staten Island, the phones will be used in the event of emergencies for victims to call 911. From 2009 to 2012, Staten Island reported a 51.9 percent increase in domestic violence, according to Division of Criminal Justice Services data.
Safe Horizon is the nation’s largest provider of residence for victims of domestic violence and their families, operating nine shelters across New York City. The donated cell phones will be distributed to domestic violence victims for use in emergency situations.
“I’m pleased that members of the Staten Island community stepped up and donated their used cell phones,” noted Borough President Oddo. “These phones will provide a lifeline to victims, giving them a safe way to connect with the police in case of emergency.”
“Any one of these 80 cell phones generously donated by Borough President Oddo to Safe Horizon could be the very lifeline that quickly puts a victim in touch with emergency responders in their most dire moment,” noted Daniel M. Donovan, Jr., Richmond County District Attorney. He noted that it is a crime to try to take a phone away from someone who is calling for help and that as a community, we need to change the way we think about domestic violence. “If you saw someone breaking into your neighbor’s basement window, you would call the police. If you hear your neighbor beating his wife, you might not want to get involved. We have to change the way we think about this. It’s a crime,” he said.
“Safe Horizon applauds Staten Island and Staten Island Borough President James Oddo for their leadership in supporting survivors of Domestic Violence. The phones donated will make an impact for victims who have been isolated by abuse and violence for too long,” said Erika Arias-Moreno, Director of Staten Island Community and Criminal Justice Programs at Safe Horizon.
Safe Horizon is the nation’s largest provider of residence for victims of domestic violence and their families, operating nine shelters across New York City. The donated cell phones will be distributed to domestic violence victims for use in emergency situations.
“I’m pleased that members of the Staten Island community stepped up and donated their used cell phones,” noted Borough President Oddo. “These phones will provide a lifeline to victims, giving them a safe way to connect with the police in case of emergency.”
“Any one of these 80 cell phones generously donated by Borough President Oddo to Safe Horizon could be the very lifeline that quickly puts a victim in touch with emergency responders in their most dire moment,” noted Daniel M. Donovan, Jr., Richmond County District Attorney. He noted that it is a crime to try to take a phone away from someone who is calling for help and that as a community, we need to change the way we think about domestic violence. “If you saw someone breaking into your neighbor’s basement window, you would call the police. If you hear your neighbor beating his wife, you might not want to get involved. We have to change the way we think about this. It’s a crime,” he said.
“Safe Horizon applauds Staten Island and Staten Island Borough President James Oddo for their leadership in supporting survivors of Domestic Violence. The phones donated will make an impact for victims who have been isolated by abuse and violence for too long,” said Erika Arias-Moreno, Director of Staten Island Community and Criminal Justice Programs at Safe Horizon.
