Cambria County residents are fed up with poor cell service in Westmont and have started a petition because they believe the lack of service is a safety concern, especially for high school students, reported WJAC-TV.
Parents and students are especially frustrated when attending events at the high school. “Whenever I’m at baseball games out here, the service comes in and out, and I actually know people that have [avoided buying] a house out here due to the cell phone service,” said parent Steve Mosorjak.
According to Harry Weidner, Westmont high school senior and student council president, “I’ve been coming to this building for pretty much all my life. There is no cell phone coverage here and it’s very frustrating to be at your school and not be able to connect with the outside world.”
Weidner and parent, Peter Hassett, have started an online petition that already has over 700 signatures and focuses on the safety concerns related to poor coverage. “Recent school shootings highlight the need for cell phone coverage. Coverage at the Westmont Hilltop High School both in and outdoor is almost nonexistent,” Weidner wrote on the petition page. “The lack of communication between us and the outside of the sphere here is dangerous, and that’s why we’re pushing this so hard,” added Weidner.
Advocates of adding a tower in the community question why something hasn’t already been done by major carriers. According to a Verizon spokesperson, the company does have plans for additional coverage but says they’ve been met with heavy opposition from the community since 2011, reported WJAC.
According to a statement by Sprint, the carrier “has plans to improve the coverage around the school. In time for the upcoming school year, we expect to have a new site scheduled to be turned on this summer.”
While not all community and administration members agree on end solutions, many do agree it’s time for better coverage. Additionally, a local company has a proposal ready to build a cell tower at the high school. The proposal will be explored and vetted by the board at the next property committee meeting June 7, reported WJAC.
May 29, 2018
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