Los Angeles County District Attorney Gil Garcetti, Los Angeles City Councilman Nick Pacheco, Verizon Wireless and Motorola Partner to Combat Domestic Violence in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles County District Attorney Gil Garcetti, Los Angeles City Councilman Nick Pacheco, Verizon Wireless and Motorola are taking action to lessen the toll of domestic violence on local families. As a part of the public-private partnership, Verizon Wireless and Motorola are donating 100 pre-programmed digital wireless phones and free airtime to eight domestic violence prevention programs in the Greater Los Angeles area.

The phones, which can be carried by potential victims at all times, will help ensure the safety of women who are threatened by stalking or by domestic violence. In an emergency, pressing one button on the phone connects her with the nearest local law enforcement agency dispatcher, who can quickly assess the situation and send her the help she needs.

The donation is a part of CALL to PROTECT, a national educational and philanthropic initiative that provides the security and mobility of wireless phones to victims of domestic violence. A survey by the Wireless Foundation of participating CALL to PROTECT shelters, found that four out of 10 domestic violence victims have used CALL to PROTECT phones to summon help. CALL to PROTECT phones help provide security for nearly 100,000 women nationwide.

"Public safety is my top priority, and I am delighted that through a public-private partnership, battered women will feel a bit safer," said District Attorney Gil Garcetti. "Verizon Wireless and Motorola are to be commended for providing domestic violence victims a measure of empowerment through the donation of these wireless telephones," he added.

"I am grateful that the Los Angeles City Fire Department is able to play a vital role in National Domestic Violence Awareness month. By serving as official DONATE a PHONE collection sites during the month of October, the Department's 104 fire stations throughout Los Angeles will enable all our citizens to donate their used wireless phones. This effort, combined with a donation of 100 CALL to PROTECT wireless phones and free service from Motorola and Verizon Wireless will help put an end to this alarming trend -- the growing problem of domestic violence."

"We know wireless phones cannot solve the problem of domestic violence, but we hope, by providing access to emergency services, that we can help victims lead safer lives," said Mike Finley, regional president, Verizon Wireless. "Our technology can empower victims of abuse, helping them move forward without being in constant fear. We're proud to contribute to the well-being of domestic violence victims in Greater Los Angeles. Wireless phones can, and do help people improve personal and community safety every day."

"Motorola is pleased to apply its long history in wireless technology to help save lives through the CALL to PROTECT initiative," said Denise Gibson, Vice President and Director of Customer Technical Solutions, Motorola.

Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless communications provider in the U.S. with more than 25 million wireless voice and data customers and nearly 3.5 million paging customers. The company has a footprint covering nearly 90 percent of the U.S. population, 49 of the top 50 and 96 of the top 100 U.S. markets. Verizon Wireless has donated thousands of wireless phones pre-programmed to dial 9-1-1 to domestic violence shelters for use by victims. In addition, its HopeLine(?program has given more than 10,000 free voice mail boxes to individuals in shelters who do not have access to a personal phone line. Reporters and editors can find more information about the company in its Media Center on the Web at: http://www.verizonwireless.com/mediacenter.

Motorola, Inc. (NYS:MOT) is a global leader in providing integrated communications solutions and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 1999 were $33.1 billion. Motorola has donated 17,000 new wireless phones to shelters for use by victims of domestic abuse in the United States. For more information, please visit the Motorola Web site at www.motorola.com.

The Wireless Foundation initiates and oversees strategic corporate philanthropy programs utilizing wireless communications to make communities safer, families more secure and teachers more effective. For additional information on the Wireless Foundation, please visit www.wirelessfoundation.org.

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence was organized in 1978 by a group of over 100 battered women's advocates. Based in Colorado, NCADV serves as a national information and referral center for the general public, the media, battered women and their children, and other agencies and organizations involved with issues related to domestic abuse. For more information, please visit www.ncadv.org.