Ocean County Leader

As Verizon proceeds with its 5G upgrades along the Jersey Shore, Spring Lake residents are expressing strong opposition to the company's plans to install 5G towers along Ocean Avenue. Laura Demeo, a long-time resident of Spring Lake, voiced her concerns about Verizon's influence in the town. "Verizon is a big company. They have a lot of money, a lot of power. I feel like they are bullying their way into our town," she stated.

Demeo is among over 150 residents opposing Verizon's proposal for several 5G poles near the two-mile boardwalk. The application was submitted by Verizon in January. In response, Republican Representative Chris Smith introduced legislation in April aimed at empowering communities and individuals like Demeo to challenge large communication companies and seek alternatives.

Smith emphasized the need for communication companies to be accountable to local populations. “They need to say, ‘Hey, we serve you. You don’t serve us.’ And again, government has to be the same way. They are just rolling over the local population, and that’s a bad neighbor policy,” he remarked.

Spring Lake has an ordinance prohibiting such towers on its beachfront. Bryan Dempsey, Spring Lake Borough Manager, noted that Verizon could place its equipment on existing inland telephone poles instead. “We made the ordinance that way because of how pristine the beachfront is, knowing there are other areas in town that have telephone poles they could utilize,” Dempsey explained.

The mayor and council of Spring Lake must respond to Verizon's application within two weeks.

In defense of its actions, a Verizon spokesperson issued a statement highlighting the importance of network improvements for connectivity in beach communities: “Verizon's network improvements provide crucial connectivity for customers and emergency service providers in the community." The spokesperson added that similar installations have been completed without negative impacts elsewhere and affirmed compliance with all laws and procedures.