County leader, Charlotte neighbors concerned about dead zone for cell, emergency service
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A Mecklenburg County commissioner said he hopes city leaders will assist him with an issue in his neighborhood.
Commissioner Arthur Griffin lives in the Palisades neighborhood of southwest Charlotte, and was alerted to emergency radio reception issues in the neighborhood.
The problems have been in existence for years, with neighbors noting that reception issues have also included incredibly spotty cellular service.
Pineville Growers Market property to become new fire station
“It’s been a consistent problem since we moved in,” said David Bakke, who has lived in the area for more than a decade. “Unlike other services that have come in as we’ve grown –getting a new elementary school, getting a new high school, new fire department on Youngblood (Road), I haven’t seen any change in cell service.”
Griffin sent Queen City News a map which showed emergency radio service in nearly every part of Mecklenburg County, except the far southwestern tip, where the Palisades neighborhood is located near the state line. Some service exists in the area, but it is noted to be incredibly spotty.
Emergency radio service, like cell service there, varies from house to house. Neighbors noted that the reception issues can even vary from room to room in their respective homes.
“The police officers weren’t able to communicate with each other when they were outside their vehicles,” Griffin noted of one instance. “So, it’s more than just 911.”
Multiple structures, including RV, burned in large Huntersville brush fire
Griffin is asking Charlotte City Council to look into two things to address the issues in Palisades — addressing what he referred to as a “communications dead zone,” and a moratorium on development there until issues of “health and safety” are addressed.
Griffin cited a November 2023 fire where three firefighters were injured as an example of some of the issues in the his neighborhood. Griffin noted emergency radio issues, while neighbors said they were redirected multiple times while calling 911 about the fire.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
