Union: JetBlue Terminal Is Radio Dead Zone

Millions of passengers will pass through the JetBlue terminal at John F. Kennedy Airport this year. But according to some police officers, something is missing from the terminal that could put travelers in danger -- police radio reception.

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We know what it's like to walk into a place where there is a dead zone service. That is what happens to radios when Port Authority police officers walk into the terminal, which is one of the airport's busiest.

The union that represents Port Authority cops says that officers are given Nextel phones to compensate for the loss of radio signal when they enter the terminal so they can talk to each other and the dispatcher.

The union president, Paul Nunziato, says an urgent radio call that would normally take seconds on the police radios now takes minutes while officers scroll down a phone list on the Nextel. He also says cops sometimes can't even get through.

A police report obtained exclusively by Fox 5 News shows that help to an 85-year-old woman last week with breathing difficulties was delayed by three minutes due to no Nextel service. And reports showed delays in response time in two separate gun incidents this month along.

Another problem is that cops or paramedics who also respond can't easily communicate with the cops inside.

Port Authority officials say the terminal is safe and that the agency is continuing to enhance the safety measures. The authority says it is installing a new airport communication system and has deployed extra police to airport terminals to ensure safety.

The Port Authority told Fox 5 that a radio repeater system will be installed within the next 6 to 12 months.

The union says they'll believe it when they see it.