EMERGENCY CELL PHONE PROJECT  In February of 2001, Shelby County Prosecutor, R. Kent Apsley began an Emergency Cell Phone Project. Since that time, the Prosecutor’s Office has collected hundreds of used cell phones for use by the Victims Assistance Program.
These are perfectly good cell phones that people no longer use because they have upgraded their phones or service. The Prosecutor’s Office, through our Victim Assistance Program, hands these phones out, free of charge, to victims of domestic violence and other crimes.  Additionally, the Prosecutor’s Office provides every police officer in the county with emergency cell phone safety packages. Each package contains a cell phone, charger, emergency instructions, personal safety information and contact numbers. Officers then have the kits available to hand out anytime that they respond to a domestic violence situation where a victim’s safety is at risk.
It isn’t necessary that the phones have active service. As long as the phones work they are capable of dialing 9-1-1. They cannot be used for any other purpose. Often we find that our victims, particularly victims of domestic abuse, don’t have phone service, or that they are in transition from one residence to another. Having the ability to call 9-1-1, no matter where they are, does wonders for their safety and their sense of security.  Older phones or phones which are not needed for the program are recycled and the proceeds used by the Prosecutor’s Office for victim-related and other expenses.
Used phones may be dropped off at the Prosecutor’s Office during business hours or at other convenient locations throughout Shelbyville. Anyone needing an emergency phone can contact the Prosecutor’s Victim Assistance Coordinator. | 
