In an ongoing partnership to help victims of domestic violence, the Tomball Police Department has donated 75 cell phones to the Family Time Foundation, a professional counseling and crisis center established to provide outreach programs to victims of family violence.

At left, Captain Rick Grassi (right) donates boxes of cell phones to Shelli Collins (left) of Family Time Foundation.

Nearly two years ago, members of the Tomball Police Department broke up a burglary ring, which ultimately led to the recovery of numerous cell phones, and the prosecution of several burglary suspects. Since that time the cell phones have remained in the custody of the Tomball Police Department awaiting appropriate court disposition orders.

Having recently received the court disposition orders, and recognizing that these phones could be put to good use by victims of family violence as they make the transition to a violence-free life, Detective Calvin Jones contacted Shelli Collins, program coordinator of Family Time Foundation, offering the donation of these phones. Collins was extremely pleased by this offer and advised that there are many victims of family violence who simply do not have the financial means to own a home phone or cellular phone. In those cases, these cellular phones can be provided to needy victims of domestic violence and activated for emergency 9-1-1 calls, placing emergency services right at the fingertips of victims.

“A simple thing that so many people take for granted, such as a cell phone, can mean so much to a victim trying to start a new life. These phones offer a sense of safety and security should victims feel threatened and need to contact law enforcement,” Captain Rick Grassi, Patrol Commanding Officer, said.