In times of crisis, cell phones go out

Another tragedy on a college campus, my alma mater.

There is a disturbing thread that weaves its way through these terrible situations and ironically it is the same thing that is supposed to provide us with safety and salvation.

The cell phone.

It is abundantly clear that during times of crisis, the cellular phone network becomes overloaded and therefore useless.

It is the same as a crowded theater rushing toward an exit that is too small. Sept. 11th, the only public phones working were the pay phones.

When the bridge collapsed in Minnesota, cell phones did not work.

In DeKalb, students were unable to get calls out, network busy.

I maintain that pay phones and the ability to quickly access the legacy 911 system as well as a live operator should be a priority for every public place.

Mike Simon

President

Express Telephone Systems

Schaumburg