Do You Live In A Dead Zone? One Last Chance To Be Heard Clearly

BEDFORD, NY — How many bars do you have at home? At the gym? Watching the kids' soccer practice? Town officials are asking the question, "Can you hear me now?"

Bedford leaders want your help to better understand where cell coverage is lacking and where coverage is strong locally. An online survey from the town has been extended to March 16.

The survey is a part of the "Northern Westchester County Wireless Telecommunications Infrastructure Master Plan" which will require comprehensive strategy to study, evaluate and upgrade the communications infrastructure in Bedford, Lewisboro, North Salem, Mount Kisco, Pound Ridge, Somers and Yorktown.

SEE ALSO: Time to Correctly Map Cellphone Dead Zones: Schumer

A presentation given to the Bedford Town Board on Feb. 15 shows the gaps in coverage locally. The fascinating PowerPoint also details the types and locations of cell towers currently in place in town.

The study found that 8 percent of an estimated 240 million 9-1-1 calls each year in the U.S. are made from wireless devices. The town will soon have to build new infrastructure to close gaps in the network as a public safety measure. Those decisions haven't been without controversy in neighboring communities. Plans to build a cell tower in Leonard Park in Mount Kisco have caused public backlash.