Secure the Call

Yesterday was Earth Day, and as always, I stopped to take stock. I was slightly depressed because I heard Rush Limbaugh say that “even their strongest proponents agree they’ve had zero impact!” I doubt that the leaders of the environmental movement would agree, but it started me to thinking about Earth Day. Is it a truly important commemoration, or is it just a lot of hot air?

What really bothered me was that the Pennsylvania Primary was scheduled for the same day, and the media coverage of that event sucked all the air out of Earth Day publicity. The average guy scarcely knew it was happening. 

To test this, last night I went to visit two neighbors—people I know pretty well but don’t really socialize with. I told them what Earth Day meant to me, and challenged them to make a “gift” to the Earth this next year. That way, when Earth Day rolled around they could feel good about it and perhaps make another gift.

I was in luck. Neighbor “A”, (named Jay), said he was thinking about getting rid of his Tahoe SUV and start driving a Prius. Did I think that would qualify as a “gift”? That’s a no-brainer. He would drive the same distance, but he’d get 40-50 miles/gallon better performance. Neighbor “B” (Paul) was a little more difficult. He asked for suggestions. I gave him the following list:

1. Plant a tree
2. Change you household lightbulbs to compact fluorescent as they burn out
3. Install new weather-stripping on your exterior doors
4. Set your thermostat up two degrees in the summer and down two degrees in the winter

…the list went on.

Paul thought about it and went beyond it. He was going to replace all his windows with energy efficient ones. (On the negative side, he “hated” the “curly” fluorescent light bulbs and wouldn’t commit to using them.)

I went to bed last night feeling better. Not because I felt like I’d made a difference, but because my neighbors reactions indicated that the message really IS getting across. Maybe we just need better PR!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 4, 2003

Washington, D.C. – Police departments and sheriff’s offices from Maryland, Virginia and the District have formed a coalition to help collect cell phones to be converted into 911 emergency service phones.

The program is called Secure the Call and is being lead by a non-profit organization by the same name based in Greenbelt, Md. Government departments in these areas have been distributing emergency service phones to the public, but they have not been able to meet the demand. In most cases, these departments are not equipped to undertake the work necessary to convert the phones. Secure the Call
will be coordinating the collection effort and will be performing the work necessary on behalf of these departments.

Any used cell phone can be programmed to dial 911 even if it is not part of a wireless carrier’s network. Groups that need such phones include local police departments, neighborhood watch groups, senior citizen centers and domestic violence organizations.

Approximately 70 percent of the phones collected through the program will be donated to members of the coalition so that they may be given to the people that need them. The other 30 percent will be sold to the recycled phones market to pay for the reprogramming of the donated phones.

“Community policing works best when we have an active and engaged community that works closely with the police,” said D.C. Metro Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey. “Secure the Call will help make these partnerships happen.”

A website (www.givecellphones.com) is available with more information on Secure the Call. Secure the Call may also be contacted at (301) 891-2900 for more information.