In the wake of a devastating fire that caused significant damage to businesses in Ridgewood Plaza in South Utica, NY, a public outcry demanded that Verizon (NYSE: VZ) take immediate action to address the area’s digital dead zone. As the Observer-Dispatch notes, it is believed that communications gaps that left business owners unable to summon help contributed greatly to the destruction. Leading the charge was U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), supported by a contingent of local politicians, businesses owners, and local residents.
“This fire should be a wake-up call for Verizon of the dangers of these dead zones and spur them to quickly complete the urgently-needed new tower now under construction,” commented Schumer in a written statement. “While I appreciate Verizon heeding calls last year and beginning construction of a new cell tower, we need progress now to get cell service to South Uticans and adjacent New Hartford residents. Nobody should ever be put in harm’s way because they can’t call 911 because of a cell phone dead zone. This is a fixable problem, and Verizon needs to deliver for the community like they promised they would.”
Although construction was initiated last July, Verizon has yet to complete the cell tower. No completion date has been announced, but both public officials and residents have implored Verizon to see the project through to completion as quickly as possible. Schumer’s office has been among those attempting to prod the telecom to speedier action, according to the Observer-Dispatch.
“Over a year ago, we had [Schumer] come to the plaza and demand that something be done about the lack of reception,” wrote Dakota Schaff, owner of Vanity Hair and Beauty Parlor, one of the businesses ruined by the fire. She reminded people why the cell tower project is so important to the community, observing, “[We] had an actual emergency and had no way to contact help.”
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