Dispatchers Seek Cellphones

— Emergency dispatchers from agencies around Benton County are teaming up to help those in need while making their jobs a little easier.

Dispatchers from the Bentonville and Rogers police departments and the Benton County Office of Emergency Communications will collect used and deactivated cellphones at Pig Trail Harley-Davidson in Rogers through Sunday.

Many people give their old cellphones to their children as toys, not realizing deactivated phones are still capable of dialing 911, said Jaime Hobbs with the Bentonville Police Department. Emergency dispatchers field numerous calls from children using the deactivated phones, costing emergency services time and resources to determine if there is an emergency.

Organizers are encouraging residents to bring old phones to Pig Trail Harley-Davidson, 2409 Hudson Road in Rogers, during its Bikes, Blues & BBQ festivities through Sunday. All contributors will receive a toy phone or another toy in place of the donated phone.

Phones don’t have to be working or have a charger to be accepted, Hobbs said. Donated cellphones will be refurbished and given to victims of domestic violence, senior centers or law enforcement agencies.

Phones may also be dropped off anytime at the Bentonville Police Department, 908 S.E. 14th St.

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