Police Chief urges town council for independent phone system after storm disruptions

The Foster Town Council meeting on December 12, 2024, highlighted critical public safety concerns regarding the town's emergency communication systems. Chief of Police raised an urgent issue about the need for the police department to have its own dedicated phone lines with caller ID. This request stems from recent incidents where severe weather caused the town hall's phone lines to fail, resulting in emergency calls being rerouted to Scituate.

During a recent storm, the police department was unable to receive calls directly, leading to delays in response times and complications in handling emergencies. Chief noted that personal phones were used to manage calls, which is not an ideal solution for public safety. He emphasized that the lack of a dedicated phone system not only hampers immediate response efforts but also affects ongoing investigations, as citizens may not answer calls from a number they do not recognize.

Highway Director echoed the Chief's concerns, sharing his own experiences during the storm when he had to rely on personal communication to report downed trees and other emergencies. Both officials stressed the importance of resolving the phone system issues to ensure efficient communication during critical situations.

The meeting concluded without immediate resolutions, but the discussions underscored the pressing need for improvements in the town's emergency communication infrastructure to enhance public safety and response capabilities. The council is expected to address these concerns in future meetings, as the community awaits updates on potential solutions.