The public is invited to drop off old cell phones at two locations in the Town of Southampton to turn them into 911 phones for senior citizen centers and battered women’s shelters.
The Town is launching the drive through “Secure the Call”, a national coalition of over 400 organizations including Police and Sheriff’s Departments, Battered Women’s shelters, Neighborhood Watch Groups and Senior Citizen Centers.
“Secure the Call” collects the phones and then wipes them clean of any old phone numbers and address books. After charging, cleaning and testing the phones, they give them back to their coalition partners who in turn distribute them to the community groups or shelters like “The Retreat”. Reconditioned phones can dial 911 only.
Old cell phones and accessories can be placed in collection barrels in the Citizen Response Center at Southampton Town Hall or the Hampton Bays Community Center on Ponquogue Avenue.
Donors can download a tax deductible form through the website at www.securethecall.org.
