To the Editor:

I am writing to express my solidarity with the outraged Princeton residents who, at a recent public forum, expressed their complaints about poor and even non-existent cell phone service in our town [“Residents Air Grievances at Special Work Session on Cell Phone Service,” May 24, page 1].

I just spent a solid hour on my front porch less than a half-mile from Palmer Square attempting to make an important call — only to be informed via a tiny blurb on my cellphone screen that I had “No Service.” At this point I’d say I endure this inconvenience about 20 percent of the time. Which prompts me to ask: Why should I pay for nonexistent service? Am I not entitled to a credit for — not poor service — but nonexistent service from Verizon?

And, as many speakers at the meeting pointed out, this situation is more than an inconvenience. It’s downright dangerous. In my opinion, Princeton municipal government officials might find themselves accused of acting in a negligent manner in not giving this matter their immediate attention. It’s not a matter of if this lack of service results in a tragedy, but when. Why are officials consistently reactive and not proactive? Why is the traffic light installed only after someone is run down by an errant auto? How does someone without a landline summon the police, the fire department, or an ambulance?  When will our elected officials demand answers and action? Likely after the disaster.

Some attendees alluded to the lack of ugly cell towers in our beautiful town as the likely cause of the problem. This reminded me of an article in the Wall Street Journal some years ago about cell service providers struggling to provide consistent service in rural New England until someone hatched a clever plan to use the highest point in most New England towns — the church steeple — as an ideal place in which to install a cell tower without bespoiling the beauty of the surrounding countryside. Many churches, struggling financially due to declining membership, were only too happy to rent their steeples’ interior spaces for a considerable fee. End result: financial problems solved, inadequate cell phone service eliminated, ugly cell tower avoided, everyone happy! (The Lord certainly does work in mysterious ways!)

Central Princeton is home to quite a few churches with tall steeples; perhaps this idea is worth a closer look. In the meantime, everyone involved should contemplate their culpability in the event of a preventable tragedy.

Les Seifer
Chestnut Street