City officials confront critical 911 communication gaps

During a recent government meeting, officials addressed ongoing concerns regarding emergency communication gaps in the Highlands and Rough Hollow areas. The discussion highlighted issues with 911 connectivity, with some officials acknowledging that while the majority of calls are successfully processed, there are occasional missed calls and difficulties in pinpointing precise locations.

One official noted that feedback from the command team indicated connectivity problems, particularly in the Rough Hollow area, where mobile data terminals and radio signals frequently drop. The introduction of new radio technology designed to operate on LTE networks was mentioned as a potential solution to enhance communication capabilities during outages.

The conversation also touched on the necessity of improving public safety infrastructure to mitigate legal and liability risks associated with communication failures. Officials emphasized the importance of addressing these gaps proactively, with one council member expressing concern over the implications of not doing so.

Additionally, the meeting included discussions about the placement of communication towers, particularly in relation to local schools. Despite community concerns regarding proximity to Serene Hills Elementary, it was noted that the school district did not oppose the tower's location, which raised questions about the validity of those concerns.

The officials acknowledged the limited availability of city-owned properties for tower placement, suggesting that alternative locations, such as public works yards or hilltops in the Rough Hollow Canyonlands, could be explored. The meeting concluded with a call for further investigation into potential sites and a commitment to ensuring that public safety remains a top priority.