The latest battle between Bay Ridge residents and cellphone companies turned political this week, when an assemblywoman announced legislation to keep cellular antennas away from schools.
The bill, drafted by Assemblywoman Janele Hyer-Spencer (D–Bay Ridge), would bar phone companies from installing cellular antennas within 500 feet of public schools.
“We recognize that the cell towers have to go somewhere,” Hyer-Spencer said. “We just need to put some limits on where we put these antennas and how many of them we put in one place. Right now, there are really no significant controls on these towers.”
Some residents worry that the antennas have long-term health effects, but phone companies maintain that the systems are harmless.
Plus, “if you start putting in these restrictions, it could wipe out service in some areas,” said Verizon spokesman David Samberg. “The only reason we install antennas in a specific place is because there is a need for them to be there.”
But many Bay Ridge would err on the side of caution.
“If it’s a question of keeping the children safe, then the legislation has a purpose,” said Carol Herndon. “Children always come first.”
Others wish that everyone would just drop the issue, before cellphone companies start dropping their calls.
“It doesn’t bother me,” said Rich, of Bay Ridge. “I don’t really care where they are.”
The bill, which mirrors a piece of legislation introduced by state Sen. Marty Golden (R–Bay Ridge) last year, would also require phone companies to notify neighbors before installing new cellular antennas.
Such notification might prevent future fights like the ones that have repeatedly broken out since Sprint attempted to install a cellular tower near St. Anselm’s School on 83rd Street in 2006.
The most recent flare-up came in December, when Verizon installed cellular equipment on a building across from PS 185 on Ridge Boulevard.
