FAST FACTS:
april.thompson@wreg.com
(Memphis 10/29/2009) Vernell Miller isn't afraid to leave her Orange Mound home.
But she knows that's not the case for a lot of seniors in her neighborhood, "It's a lot of us afraid to get out at night because it's kind of dangerous."
Tennessee State Representative G.A. Hardaway says seniors are stuck in their homes with no way to communicate with the outside.
"The seniors who don't have phone service aren't able to reach out for help, find out what's going on down the street or what was that noise. I want to call the police but I can't do it," says Hardaway.
It's why Hardaway is pushing for state sponsored free or discounted phone service to seniors who can't afford it.
"They can get actual fees paid for wireless service. They can get cell phones which will dial 911 for free," says Hardaway.
He also wants to get young people thinking about careers in law enforcement, with a Cadet Program in public schools, where students will be taught about police work.
Oreler Murry, who is actively involved in safety programs at the Orange Mound Senior Center, says it all goes a long way in making the community a better place.
"Crime is something police cannot do by themselves. We as citizens must do that." says Murry.
The telecommunications meeting about free phone service for seniors will be held Saturday from 10 to 2pm at the Orange Mound Community Center on Park Avenue.
- Seniors in Orange Mound concerned about crime
- State Representative proposes program to make it easy for seniors to report crime
- The program would provide free phones to seniors who can't afford phone service
april.thompson@wreg.com
(Memphis 10/29/2009) Vernell Miller isn't afraid to leave her Orange Mound home.
But she knows that's not the case for a lot of seniors in her neighborhood, "It's a lot of us afraid to get out at night because it's kind of dangerous."
Tennessee State Representative G.A. Hardaway says seniors are stuck in their homes with no way to communicate with the outside.
"The seniors who don't have phone service aren't able to reach out for help, find out what's going on down the street or what was that noise. I want to call the police but I can't do it," says Hardaway.
It's why Hardaway is pushing for state sponsored free or discounted phone service to seniors who can't afford it.
"They can get actual fees paid for wireless service. They can get cell phones which will dial 911 for free," says Hardaway.
He also wants to get young people thinking about careers in law enforcement, with a Cadet Program in public schools, where students will be taught about police work.
Oreler Murry, who is actively involved in safety programs at the Orange Mound Senior Center, says it all goes a long way in making the community a better place.
"Crime is something police cannot do by themselves. We as citizens must do that." says Murry.
The telecommunications meeting about free phone service for seniors will be held Saturday from 10 to 2pm at the Orange Mound Community Center on Park Avenue.
