Freeport and Verizon officials working to address cellular service issues in borough

Freeport officials are working with Verizon to address possible problems making cellphone calls.

Borough fire marshal Michael Greiser said late Tuesday that cell service is “unreliable” in parts of the borough, especially for Verizon Wireless customers or those with a carrier that connects to their towers.

Greiser said the company has been notified of the issue, and it is unclear when the problem maybe fixed.

“We are making attempts to find a solution,” he said. “(We) want to remind residents that only have a cellular telephone as means of communication, that they may have a hard time dialing out in an emergency. The fire station located at 400 Market St. is an avenue to provide a means of reporting an emergency if you are unable to dial out at this time. We ask that you try a neighbor for help first dialing 911 if you are unable to call out from your residence.”

Greiser also recommended those able to connect to home Wi-Fi enable Wi-Fi calling on their cellular device.

The service problem was discovered Tuesday afternoon.

Grieser said he spoke with the fire department as well as Armstrong County 911 and Verizon Wireless, with efforts determining it being a Verizon issue.

“We found that around the borough there were definitely areas that calls dropped or there was no service at all,” he said “I felt it necessary to try to get the information out to the public as quickly as possible to avoid any dropped 911 calls and in the best interest of the public’s safety.”

Verizon didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment.