YOUNGSTOWN City, ADT Security team up to fight domestic violence

The free system has a device that sends police a silent alarm.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Rev. Alfred Coward grew up in a home where domestic violence was common.
At 16 he vowed his mother would never be hit again, and she wasn't.
The Rev. Mr. Coward's experience is a main reason he is leading the city into a partnership with ADT Security Services to provide domestic violence victims with free systems.
The chairman the Mayor's Task Force on Crime and Violence Prevention brought together Friday the company, police and domestic violence agencies.
Together they will create a process to pick who will get the security systems.
"That's part of our mission, to aid victims of domestic violence," he said.
Free services: ADT, the nation's largest home security company, provides domestic violence victims -- mostly women -- with free equipment, installation and monitoring services.
The company installs a unit inside the house and gives the victim a pendant or pager-type device to wear so help can be summoned quickly. The device relays a silent alarm to police, who agree to make those calls a priority.
ADT relies on local victim agencies and police to decide who gets the systems.
"We can't do it without you," said Ann Lindstrom, a company spokeswoman. "We're the experts in security. You're the experts in dealing with victims."
Who qualifies: Typically, those who get the systems must be in immediate danger, have a restraining order against the abuser and willing to prosecute and testify in court if there is an attack.
Protection orders are needed so police can make an arrest when they respond to an alarm, Lindstrom said.
Women typically need the systems for about 90 days, usually until the abuser is sentenced to jail, she said. Some women qualify to use the systems for years, however, she said.
Systems no longer needed are given to other women.
ADT provides as much equipment as needed, usually a couple dozen units per community.
How it helps: The security systems give victims much-needed peace of mind, deter abusers and raise public awareness of the issue, Lindstrom said.
"It seems to fit in with what we're trying to do," said Detective Sgt. Delphine Baldwin Casey, commander of the crisis intervention unit of the city police department.
ADT has offered the program in 167 cities of all sizes since 1992. The company says the system has saved 32 lives.