AirTouch Supports New Rapid Response Team by Donating Phones to Omaha Coalition of Citizen Patrols; Press Conference to be held March 24.

OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 22, 1999--When safety issues arise such as a child's disappearance or vandalism, speed is of the essence.

A new resource known as the RAPID Response Team will soon assist the police with these types of situations. Presented by the Omaha Coalition of Citizen Patrols, the team is made up of volunteers who are available to respond immediately to safety and security issues that arise in the community.

One of the essential tools for the program's success is instant communications. AirTouch Cellular is supporting OCCP and its new program by providing five digital phones and service. The phones will allow patrol members to stay in touch with the Omaha Police Department and report any suspicious activity.

"Wireless phones are a critical security and communication tool for the patrols," said Mark Hochanadel, president of OCCP. "The phones provide an instant way for the Omaha Police Department to activate the Response Team and get the extra ears and eyes of the volunteers out as quickly as possible. We commend AirTouch for its commitment to personal safety."

At 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, a special press conference will be held at the AirTouch office located at 7215 Dodge Street. Mayor Hal Daub will join representatives from AirTouch, OCCP and the Omaha Police Department to express his appreciation for their joint effort and commitment to the safety of Omaha neighborhoods.

"Safety is a top priority for AirTouch," said Scott Hoey, branch manager for AirTouch in Omaha. "We're pleased to donate phones and airtime to help with the communications needs of this new crime prevention program. I can't think of a better way to give back to the community than by providing our service to help make Omaha an even better place to live."

Last year AirTouch donated nearly 50 lines of service to assist OCCP with its Citizen Patrol program.

AirTouch serves 8 million U.S. cellular customers and operates in 22 of the top 30 U.S. markets, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Atlanta, Detroit, Cleveland, San Jose, Sacramento, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Seattle, Portland (Oregon), Denver, Phoenix, and Minneapolis.

AirTouch Communications is the largest wireless company in the world based on the more than 40 million customers served by its global ventures. AirTouch has more than 17 million customers based on its ownership share in cellular, paging, and personal communications services in the United States and 12 other nations as well as the Globalstar satellite system.