Domestic violence survivors across Mississippi will soon have access to additional safety tools through a new partnership between the Attorney General’s Office, Ring, and the state’s Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced the new community initiative on Monday, mentioning that it will provide 1,000 Ring X Line camera devices, each with a Basic Protect subscription, which includes video recording and video history storage for up to 180 days, to domestic violence survivors statewide.
Ring, an Amazon-owned home security technology company,will also provide a $25,000 donation to support the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s (MCADV) work across the state.
“This partnership is about giving survivors the tools, support, and added peace of mind as they work toward healing,” Fitch said. “These cameras are an important part of a safety plan, so instead of fearing every knock or doorbell ring, a survivor can know exactly who is on the other side.”
Officials say the devices can help survivors monitor activity around their homes, document threats, and alert law enforcement more quickly to potentially dangerous situations.
“At Ring, we believe in making neighborhoods safer and making technology accessible to everyone,” Raquel Medrano, Amazon Public Policy Program Manager, said. “Since 2021, we’ve supported organizations that support domestic violence survivors with technology and tools that help provide an extra layer of peace of mind. We are proud to team up with the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office and MCADV to ensure that Amazon technology continues to support the needs of survivors.”
Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence Executive Director Joy Jones said access monitoring technology can be critical during one of the most dangerous periods for survivors.
“We know that leaving an abusive relationship is often the most dangerous time for a survivor,” Jones said. “The simple ability to see who is at the door, to have clear documentation of threats, or to alert law enforcement quickly, can literally mean the difference between danger and safety, life or death.”
Domestic violence incidents remain among the most frequent and dangerous calls officers respond to. Fitch’s domestic violence training is taught at all seven of Mississippi’s Law Enforcement Officers’ Training Academies and includes education on state and federal laws, tactical awareness, and live scenario training.
Fitch’s office has also developed additional tools for law enforcement, including an officer flip book for domestic violence law, along with the state’s Domestic Violence Registry and Protection Order Registry, which are the nation’s first combined registry for both criminal and civil protection orders.
The books are available through the Attorney General’s AGO in Action mobile app, which provides resources for crime victims, including an interactive program to help victims draft domestic abuse protection orders.
To date, Ring has donated more than 35,000 video doorbells and outdoor cameras to more than 800 nonprofit and tribal organizations nationwide that support domestic violence survivors.
Anyone experiencing domestic violence or needing to speak with an advocate can contact the Attorney General’s Office Victim Assistance Division at (1-800) 829-6766.