According to CBS 12 in Providence, The New Bedford Police Department partnered up with the Women’s Center, a non-profit organization created to help domestic violence and sexual assault victims, to host the Cellphone Donation Drive. The Cell Phone Donation Drive is typically held during Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, but since it was extremely successful this year, the New Bedford Police Department has decided to extend it through November.

In the last week alone, the department has collected approximately 100 cellphones, which is their largest donation to date. Hassan Souto, Education Outreach Coordinator for the Women’s Center said because of the pandemic, domestic violence cases are at an all-time high. The New Bedford Police Department, according to Lieutenant Carola, responds to approximately 2,500 domestic violence calls annually.

Once donated, the phones are taken to Verizon to be refurbished and then set up for victims to use.