|
|
Cell phones will be given to neighborhood crime watch groups
 (298K AIFF or WAV sound) |
July 17, 1996
Web posted at: 6:00 p.m. EDT
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In an anti-crime effort President Clinton called "an astonishing act of good citizenship and generosity," the cellular telephone industry Wednesday offered to donate 50,000 cell phones to neighborhood "watch" groups.
The phones, pre-programmed to dial police, fire departments or other emergency services, "will save lives and stop crimes," Clinton said at a White House ceremony. (629K AIFF or WAV sound)
Personal calls will not be possible.
The Clinton administration had urged the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association to make the donation. Last month, Vice President Al Gore asked the ccompanies to help neighborhood watch programs. The cell phone project requires no direct federal funding.
To apply for the phones, any of the nation's 20,000 neighborhood crime watch programs can apply through the Community Policing Consortium, a collection of law enforcement organizations or the Justice Department's community policing department.
The application must be accompanied by the signature of the local police chief or sheriff.
Related stories:
- Clinton's claims on crime effort spur debate - July 8, 1996
- Dole calls for tough measures to combat juvenile crime - July 6, 1996
Related sites:
- Community Policing Consortium
- COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services/U.S. Justice Department)
- Cellular Telecomunications Industry Association: Wireless Info Center
|
Tell us what you think! You said it... |
|
|
© 1996 Cable News Network, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.