Homestead Police Blaming Verizon Strike For Lengthy Phone Service Outage
HOMESTEAD (KDKA) -- The Homestead Police Department is blaming the Verizon strike for a phone service outage they've been experiencing for about two weeks now.
Just over 3,000 people live in Homestead. It's a borough that has its own police and fire departments; but for the past two weeks, the police department hasn't had any phone service.
"We can't talk to anybody," said Homestead Police Department Chief Jeffrey Desimone. "Our phone lines have been down for over two weeks actually. Can't seem to get any help."
"I'm going to get the lawyers involved," said Mayor Betty Esper. "We got a lawsuit if something happens in this borough, [because] you're going to blame us for it [because] we can't get a phone call."
The service outage has not affected 911 calls because they go through Allegheny County. But if you call the local number for the police station, all you get is a busy signal.
If you're in the police station and trying to dial out, you get kicked right off the line.
The department has been able to call in favors from nearby West Homestead for faxing and relaying information, but it's not like having your own phone.
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The police chief says they have talked to their service provider and talked to Verizon, but the police department believes the strike by Verizon workers means there's no one on hand to fix their problem.
"We're getting dispatched down to the local Verizon site here because they're on strike, and there are protesters and we answer those calls," said Chief Desimone "I'd just like a little reciprocation. Give me some service; get my phone lines back up."
KDKA checked with Verizon on Monday, and they say they are looking into the problem. In the meantime, if you need Homestead Police, you'll have to call 911.