If you live in Canton, Ohio, at some point you may have taken notice of devices being placed on the poles around the urban areas of town. People of our community questioned what these boxes were and what their purpose was. We here at Stark County Pulse took on the investigation for them and here is what we found.
After talking to the Stark County Commissioners Office, AT&T, LightSpeed, and AEP, we have finally found out what these devices are and what their purpose is.
First, these devices are owned by AEP. AEP refers to them as Relay Boxes or Access Points. It has been confirmed that they are part of AEP’s Smart Meter Program. The Smart Meter Program will replace your electric meter reader on your home with a Smart Meter. Via the Relay Boxes on the poles they will be able to read your electric use without coming to your home.
I have attached the full interview with Scott S. Osterholt (DIRECTOR, GRID MODERNIZATION) and Karen S. Salajko (COMMUNICATIONS CONSULT PRIN) from AEP.Â
Please listen to all of it for the information you need. At the time of the interview they could not confirm that the Relay Boxes on Schneider St. NE and at the entrance of Fohl Village was their boxes but they did email me and confirm afterward. I’ll also add the confirmation email in the information for you to look over.
I am glad that we could help the community with this mystery. If you have any other cases you’d like us to look into, please message us on our page.
Link to Full Interview: https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-6ai8h-83cfff#.WnJstFouQc8.link
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Article: THE CASE OF THE MYSTERY BOXES
Written By: Tracy Burke (Independent Investigative Reporter)
Email: tracyburkepulse@gmail.com
Info: Provided by Scott S. Osterholt and Karen S. Salajko
Photo: Provided by Jacinda Nicholson