As travelers traverse Route 6, the Palisades Interstate Parkway, and Route 293 in Orange County (NY), they’ll be hard-pressed to find cell service. News 12 Network reported that the dead zones are a “huge problem for residents, motorists, and first responders.”
According to New York Senator James Skoufis, “This isn’t 1923; it’s 2023. Orange County is a fairly built-up part of the universe here, and it’s crazy that there’s no cell service.” He commented that a tower added to the area last year has yet to improve service as initially expected. The Palisades Interstate Park Commission and Verizon are in talks to build a second tower.
Skoufis said that part of the problem is a resident holding up progress with litigation. “We have residents who literally can’t use cell phones in an entire town because of one individual in particular who is taking it upon herself to advance conspiracy theories,” he said.
Tower lawsuits have cost the town and taxpayers $200,000 to date. “I’m fed up,” says Skoufis. “I’ve had enough, and I think the community is fed up.”
The resident told News 12 Network that “towers need to be planned and shouldn’t be on historic buildings, near homes, schools or places people frequent.” She added that she doesn’t have a cell phone and that the pending litigation is a “legally complicated situation.”
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