By james art 
With the observance of the month of awareness of human trafficking, the Renault Police Department projects its collaboration with the 911 mobile phone, a non -profit organization that provides free, secure mobile phones for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence. This partnership, which began in 2021, plays an important role in empowering survivors, promoting safety and promoting independence.
The initiative launches when the Victims for Victims for the Renault Police Department opened the program through another South Nevada law enforcement agency. Faced with increasing costs of providing casualties to the victims, the unit was looking for sustainable alternatives. Since then, the partnership has saved resources, while providing support for a change in life.
“The victims of human trafficking and the survivors of domestic violence are often isolated and controlled by restricted or observed communication,” says Paula Cool of the PD Reno PD Service Division. “Providing non -traceable phones helps survivors regain their independence, re -connect with the family and have access to vital resources.”
The 911 Mobile Phone Bank donates casualties redistribution, while the Renault Police Department contributes by recycling unchallenged re -use phones.
The impact of the program is obvious in the stories of the survivors. A young trafficking victim used a donated phone to contact her sister in another country. Isolated and unknown to the area, the victim can gain access to social media and coordinate his escape. The phone helped her stay connected to local resources and organize safe transport to her sister’s community, where she began her recovery trip.
Reno’s proximity to a lively casino industry makes it a hot spot for human trafficking, creating unique challenges. Victims are often faced with severe trauma, financial dependence and isolation. The partnership helps to pay attention to these barriers by providing phones for emergency housing, hot lines and legal aid.
“This program provides more than just a phone,” said G -Ja Hled. “This is a lifelong line for freedom, safety and recovery.”
Looking forward, the Renault Police Department hopes to expand the range and awareness of the program. Goals include improving the activation of the phone after hours and dealing with the long -term needs of the survivors’ housing. In addition, businesses, corporations and organizations with lost and lodging departments are encouraged to donate unchanged telephones to the 911 mobile phone.
As the value of trade or selling used phones increases, donations have begun to decrease. This is important because 90% of the phones donated to the program are recycled properly for parts but cannot be reused in their entirety. In order to meet the growing search for functioning devices, it is essential to have numerous organizations supporting the program.
For more information about the program and partnership capabilities, contact the bank with mobile phones 911 on 866-290-7846 or visit www.911cellphonebank.org. If you or someone you know are in the immediate danger, call 911. If you suspect a case of human traffic, call the national hot line for human trafficking on 1-888-373-7888 or send an email to human exploitation and traffic police at RPDHEAT @Reno.gov.