Gov’t agencies, public safety groups oppose widespread use of cell jammers

Allowing restaurants, movie theatres and other public places to use cell phone jammers could result in ‘dead air zones’ which jeopardize public safety, environmental and emergency response groups warn in letters to Industry Canada. Responding to the government’s call for comments on whether to legalize the sale and use of these devices in Canada (RoW, March 19/01, Gazette Notice DGTP-002-01), public safety groups, federal agencies and provincial governments stress that the status quo is the safest course of action. Faced with such formidable and influential opponents, the federal government could have a tough time justifying widespread use of jammers in Canada. The government is also facing opposition to the idea from the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association and its members. For government departments like Environment Canada, cell phones and pagers are critical to communications. Being able to reach someone at a moment’s notice may make the difference in avoiding an environmental disaster. Tom Foote, director of the ministry’s environmental emergencies program, says mobile communications devices play an important role in maintaining the department’s preparedness and response during environmental emergency situations. "Cell phone silencers could potentially hinder our capability to respond rapidly and efficiently during emergency situations. Furthermore, they could impair our capacity to prevent a situation from escalating and becoming a catastrophe," Foote writes. "It is possible that cell phone silencers could further compromise such response operations, delaying the transfer of key information between parties." The Manitoba chapter of the Federal Emergency Preparedness Coordinating Committee (FEPCC) is also asking Industry Canada to not expand the use of cell phone jammers. The FEPCC worries that broader use of these devices would inhibit staff from responding to emergencies and could result in the loss of life. The Ontario government, writing on behalf of several provincial agencies and public safety organizations, is concerned about the creation of "dead zones" where no radio communication devices would operate. Such areas would make it difficult for police, fire departments and ambulances to keep in touch, and respond effectively to emergency situations, the provincial government states. It also worries that out-of-band interference could affect frequencies used by public safety groups. "To implement additional transmitting devices in the 800 MHz band would increase potential for harmful interference to the critical communications of police, fire and emergency services," it writes. Other public safety groups express similar concerns. "The technology as it currently stands is not foolproof and the risk of well-intentioned property owners interfering with public safety communications as a result of spillover or other technology short-comings is very real," writes Dale Kinnear of the Canadian Police Association. "In addition to accidental interference with emergency communications, general licensing opens the door for abuse of this equipment by criminals who have obtained the equipment for illegal means." Those opposed to the general licensing of cell phones jammers would rather see a national public awareness campaign educating the public on the issue of cell phone use.

Gov’t agencies, public safety groups oppose widespread use of cell jammers

News | 07/24/2001 4:00 am EDT

To keep reading, get a free trial.

Already a Subscriber?

Reuse & Permissions

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us