By Angelita Faller

GRAMBLING, LA – The Grambling State University Police Department (GSUPD) is implementing a new program that will grant free cell phones to Grambling students who have lost their phones as a result of a domestic violence incident.

Starting in the fall semester, Grambling students may file a report with the GSU Police Department, and the student can receive a free cell phone to temporarily replace the destroyed phone until a new one can be purchased.

GSU Police Chief Howard Caviness hopes the program will serve as a deterrent to future domestic violence incidents, since perpetrators can destroy a person’s phone with the intent to leave the person without a means of communication to call for help or contact loved ones.

“A lot of times the perpetrator feels they have disabled the other person by smashing their communication device to the outside world. They (students) can come here, and we will help them be able to communicate with law enforcement officers and their parents until they can get another phone,” he said.

The GSUPD is paying for the phones out of its own budget, believing that the cost is worth the potential benefits to Grambling students.

“I hope we don’t have to give out any phones, but we will have phones here to supply the victims in domestic violence situations. If it costs us a uniform or two out of our allowance, then so be it. If it saves one of these students’ lives or keeps someone from being battered, it’s well worth what we are doing,” Caviness said. “I don’t know of any other university or college in the state of Louisiana that is doing this. I hope other universities will piggy back after us and do the same program.”

If anyone is interested in donating a cell phone or would like more information about the program, contact the GSU Police Department at 318-274-2219.

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