A local security company is helping victims of domestic violence in the area maintain "piece of mind."

Bob Heimbecker, general manager of Bethlehem-based Altronics Security Systems, along with Lehigh County District Attorney James Martin, announced at a press conference recently the company will fund a program to provide the most serious victims of domestic violence with the company's security technology.

The system, called Maximum Victim Protection, includes a security unit in the victim's home and a panic button to be worn around the neck to call the operator and summon police in an emergency.

Altronics has agreed to donate the $300 to $500 systems and also waive the $40 monthly monitoring fee for the victims in what the district attorney deems the most serious cases of domestic violence. Martin said he expects three or four cases a year to be serious enough to warrant the free protection.

Victims in Lehigh, Northampton and Berks counties will be able to qualify for the free securty service.

"Our hope is that the person we're protecting is never alone," Heimbecker said at the conference.

To qualify for the program, a victim of domestic violence must be considered in "imminent danger," have an order of protection against the abuser and be willing to participate in the prosecution of the abuser. The distict attorney's office may also consider financial need in deciding to provide the service.

The idea for the program began when Kimberly Silvestri, coordinator of the Victim/Witness Unit in the district attorney's office, contacted Heimbecker about a woman concerned for her safety after a man the woman was previously in a relationship with made death threats to her. The man was about to be released from prison at the time.

"Everybody connected to the case," Martin said at the conference. "We were all concerned about how to offer her more protection."

The security system has already been installed in the woman's home and place of work. She is the first domestic violence victim to benefit from Altronics's donation. Silvestri, who was present at the installation along with Heimbecker, said the woman was "thrilled" with the added protection.

"She relaxed," Silvestri said. "She just feels safe in her home. It's priceless."

Dianne Zanetti, executive director of Turning Point of Lehigh Valley, an Allentown-based organization against domestic abuse, said at the conference the program shows victims that living under domestic abuse is "unacceptable to us."

"This program adds another level of assurance," Zanetti said. "What this also does is let the victim know that we get it."

Heimbecker also added the service allows victims to give panic buttons to members of their families who may also be under the same risk.