The Point CDC introduces free Wi-Fi to Hunts Point
BY JASON COHEN
Most people think free Internet is
too good to be true. Yet, a non-profi t in
Hunts Point has recently begun offering
to people in the community.
In an effort to build a more resilient
and better connected Hunts Point,
The Point CDC, located at 940 Garrison
Avenue, in collaboration with New
America, is launching Free Hunts
Point Community Wi-Fi; a wireless
mesh WIFI network, which provides
free communication that is resistant
to power and internet outages.
The program launched in 2016, took
two years to build and recently began
implementing it.
“When have you seen free internet?”
said Yamil Lora, the community
coordinator and theater production
coordinator for the Point. “For the
people that knows us and the organization,
they think it’s a miracle to have
high speed Internet.”
The Hunts Point peninsula is a waterfront
community, which is home
to the Hunts Point Food Distribution
Center, various industrial and commercial
businesses and residential
community.
Due to elevation and proximity to
the waterfront, various areas of the
peninsula have greater potential for
fl ooding putting business and residents
at risk.
WHY ASSET PROTECTION
INSURANCE?
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BRONX TIMES REPORTER, D 30 ECEMBER 13-19, 2019 BTR
The antenna on top of The Point building
used for free wifi . Schneps Media Jason Cohen
Yamil Lora, community coordinator and theater
production coordinator at The Point
Schneps Media Jason Cohen
The program is funded through
philanthropic donations, corporate
grants and the NYC Economic Development
Corporation. After Hurricane
Sandy, the EDC launched a $30 million
initiative of 11 resilient technology
projects installing at 500 plus super
storm Sandy impacted small businesses
across the fi ve boroughs.
Lora told the Bronx Times after
super storm Sandy, the organization
knew it needed to make the community
more prepared for an emergency.
However, this is not an idea they
came up with overnight. Many cities
have used this model throughout the
world.
“A lot of people in this community
don’t have Wi-Fi,” he commented. “Access
to internet isn’t equal across the
city and in the world.”
Lora explained this isn’t just about
being ready for future hurricanes, but
rather being connected as a community.
In underserved neighborhoods like
Hunts Point, many people don’t have
Internet or it’s slow and unreliable.
Currently, The Point has installed
Wi-Fi on houses between Garrison and
Lafayette, but is hoping to expand to
include the whole peninsula.
He said many people think there is
a catch when he tells them it is free.
Not only are people getting free high
speed Wi-Fi, but the Point is also educating
people on how to install and repair
it.
“It’s not just access to the Internet,
what’s most important is to build
a community network,” he stressed.
“We’re not trying to make money
here.
According to Lora, having a reliable
way to communicate with each
other is essential and people should
not be restricted because of money.
“Communities should be able to
solve their own problems,” he said.
NEW BOOK
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