HopeLine Law Enforcement Partnership Award Presented To Florida Attorney General

Verizon Wireless presented its HopeLine Law Enforcement Partnership Award to Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist in a ceremony held last week in Miami. The HopeLine Law Enforcement Partnership Award recognizes outstanding work by law enforcement agencies in preventing domestic violence and honors the efforts of public safety organizations across the country committed to reducing domestic violence, providing support to victims, raising awareness of the issue and educating communities about domestic violence.

In honor of the Attorney General's work in this area, Michael Lanman, Verizon Wireless' Florida region president, presented a $10,000 financial grant to Safe Space, a Miami-based shelter and prevention organization.

Lanman commented, "Verizon Wireless works with law enforcement officials every day in Florida and around the country on a wide range of public safety issues, and we're proud to highlight the efforts of all levels of law enforcement to raise awareness of domestic violence. Through our HopeLine program and our Partnership Award, we will continue to raise awareness of domestic violence and its consequences at home and in business, and most importantly, help victims and those who support them."

The inaugural HopeLine Law Enforcement Partnership Award was presented in March to the New Orleans Police Foundation and the Domestic Violence Task Force of the New Orleans Police Department.

Verizon Wireless' work with law enforcement and government agencies to support domestic violence prevention and awareness efforts in communities nationwide includes: donating high-speed BroadbandAccess Internet service to prosecutors, detectives and other personnel in local government domestic violence units; sponsoring phone collection drives in cooperation with local sheriff and police departments; and partnering with several states' Attorneys General offices to create campaigns around elder abuse, teen dating and other domestic violence issues.

Verizon Wireless created its long-running HopeLine program 10 years ago to put wireless products and services to work to prevent domestic violence and raise awareness of the issue. Today, the multi-faceted program includes a successful phone recycling and re-use effort, financial support for regional and national non-profit domestic violence organizations, community and corporate awareness programs, and partnerships with agencies, professional sports teams, educational institutions and corporations nationwide. Donations are accepted at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide.