BANGOR – U.S. Cellular, a cellular telephone company, announced Wednesday it is forming a partnership with the Maine State Police in a domestic violence prevention program.

As part of the partnership, U.S. Cellular has donated 25 cellular phones to the Maine State Police, said U.S. Cellular sales manager Gary Hebert. Each phone is preprogrammed for emergency 911. The phones also come equipped with other local emergency numbers so victims can get the quickest possible response.

The Stop Abuse From Existing, or S.A.F.E., program is designed to help women in rural areas as well as cities such as Bangor feel safe while at home, at the store or when driving. The phones are distributed among eight State Police barracks in Maine and are available by contacting the police or a domestic abuse shelter.

According to Amanda Cost of the Spruce Run domestic violence program, there are 202 S.A.F.E. programs in 21 states, and nine programs here in Maine. Currently there are 25 phones available across the state, and U.S. Cellular will donate as many as needed as the success rate increases.

During 1999 there were 3,986 cases of domestic violence reported in Maine. The next year that number increased by 12.5 percent, according state police Detective Eric Baker.

For information about the phones, call 265-5555 or 446-3094. For more information regarding the S.A.F.E. program or for help in responding to domestic violence call Spruce Run’s 24-hour hot line at 1-800-863-9909 or 947-0496.