In the spring of 1995, District Attorney William J. Fitzpatrick announced the initiation of an innovative new program called A.W.A.R.E. (Abused Women’s Active Response Emergency) for the victims of domestic violence or abuse whom we considered "at risk". A.W.A.R.E. involves supplying a security system and emergency pendant to approved applicants who have been previously battered or threatened. Onondaga County was the 3rd county in this state and only the 34th in the nation to offer victims of domestic violence this type of program.

The equipment and installation is provided free of charge by ADT Security Systems, creating a new alliance between the private and public sectors for the purpose of helping vulnerable crime victims. Intervention is initiated when the button from a security device is activated sending a silent alarm to the ADT Service Center. ADT dispatchers then alert our 911 system that an A.W.A.R.E. call has been received and police are dispatched to the victim’s home on a priority basis.

In his continued determination for an aggressive and proactive stance on prosecuting crimes of domestic violence and protecting its victims, District Attorney Fitzpatrick added the Cell Phone Program to A.W.A.R.E. in the fall of 1997. This forged a coordinated effort between the District Attorneys of 10 Central and Northern New York counties. Frontier Cellular donated 50 cellular phones to this office and we then distributed them among the 10 other D.A.’s offices. Each phone is pre-programmed to dial 911 when activated.

There are a limited number of systems and cell phones available as well as a strict set of guidelines or criteria as to who will be accepted into the program. A.W.A.R.E. is run through the Special Victims Bureau of this office. This program has allowed victims of domestic violence and stalking to feel safe and secure.