WESTFIELD-The Westfield Police Department is among more than 400 locations nationwide that host a Secure the Call locked cell phone collection barrel.
“The barrel display has been here for about two years,” said Delia Liquori, domestic violence coordinator and principal clerk for the police department. “The program has been successful to date because we have filled the barrels several times.”
Delia Liquori, domestic violence coordinator for the Westfield Police Department, and police officer John Blascak, stand next to the cell phone donation barrel in the entrance to the police station.
Secure the Call, established in 2003 and based in Takoma Park, MD, is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to provide those who currently do not have a cell phone with a free 911-only service phone. Community partners range from police and sheriff departments and domestic violence shelters to senior citizen groups that demonstrate a need for emergency 911-only cell phones.
Once the donated phones are refurbished and all information has been deleted, they are reprogrammed for 911-only service and sent back to the coalition partners who can distribute them for free.
Secure the Call accepts all used and unwanted cell phones, regardless of their condition, and as part of its mission of being environmentally friendly, notes that keeping all cell phones out of landfills is an important initiative.
When Liquori has an individual who is in need of a 911 emergency-only cell phone, she makes a request to Secure the Call.
“All donated phones are refurbished and go through a three-point clearance to ensure all information is erased,” said Liquori, adding she encourages persons to take out the phone’s SIM card before dropping the phone in the secure barrel.
“The collection barrel has a lock that can only be accessed by those at Secure the Call,” said Liquori.
Secure the Call has locations at major commercial supporters including Whole Foods Market, ShopRite stores, and Navy Federal Credit Union branches, as well as at police stations, libraries, government buildings and schools across the country. In addition, drives are conducted in April in conjunction with Earth Day.
“While helping the environment by keeping cell phones out of landfills, your cell phone is also tax-deductible,” said Liquori, noting that donation acknowledgement forms are available at the police station.
For more information on Secure the Call, visit www.securethecall.org or www.facebook.com/securethecall, or call (301) 891-2900.
Mike Morgan, president and founder of Secure the Call, also encourages businesses and organizations to consider hosting a barrel.
“We can’t grow the program without the support of the local communities and businesses,” said Morgan in a newsletter statement. “Hosting a barrel is easy and worthwhile. And it’s always free.”
For more information on the barrel program, call (800) 813-0344.
