Posted by Bystander
a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Dec 8, 2023 at 8:56 pm
Bystander is a registered user.

The problem with alerts is not that people don't sign up but that they switch them off. Every time there is an alert for a pancake breakfast, a fire in Saratoga, or an earthquake out of area which isn't felt (particularly when it comes during the night), people switch them off.

The alert idea is eventually going to work, but until or unless all these useless alarm alerts don't happen and only useful information gets through, nobody will be enthusiastic. I even expect people will switch them off for a test alert, a business meeting with alarms going off that don't alert to useful information will be annoying to everyone.

Posted by MyFeelz
a resident of another community
on Dec 10, 2023 at 6:58 am
MyFeelz is a registered user.

The city of Paradise had a similar alert system. During a rapidly spreading wildfire, most of the cell towers were destroyed fairly quickly. Same could happen during an earthquake or a flood. Be prepared, and develop your own personal early warning system. That was the takeaway in the aftermath of the total destruction of Paradise as stated by local officials. Don't wait for an alert to evacuate during any natural disaster.

To add sparkle to this post, I think whoever lives at the corner of Farley and Alma deserves a HUGE honorable mention in the decorating for the holidays contest. There is no contest but if there was, they should get a gold medal.