Stark safety forces getting faster wireless service

By Lori Steineck
CantonRep.com staff writer 

Posted Aug 28, 2019 at 5:41 PM   

A new government-funded communications network will give them priority over cell service lines.

CANTON When a thunderstorm hit the Pro Football Hall of Fame Concert for Legends at Tom Benson stadium earlier this month, concert-goers pulled out cellphones, clogging service for some police officers and firefighters providing safety at the event.

That won’t happen again, thanks to a new government-funded communications network focused on giving first responders cell service priority over all other wireless phones.

Canton police and firefighters, Stark County Sheriff’s deputies, FirstNet and AT&T officials, Hall of Fame representatives and other public officials gathered Wednesday afternoon outside the Hall to announce the FirstNet service is fully operational. Stark County Sheriff’s deputies also were given access to FirstNet to test it.

“It went extremely well,” Canton Police Chief Jack Angelo said. ’We know that no matter what, we’re going to be able to have good, clear communications with our officers. Until this Hall of Fame, when we really gave it a good workout … I’m 100 percent convinced that this is vital piece of equipment for us.”