When disaster strikes, connectivity can mean the difference between chaos and coordinated response. The City of Laguna Niguel learned this firsthand in 2021 when what began as a small brush fire grew into a disaster that destroyed 20 homes and more than 200 acres. Terrified residents had to flee to safety, and though the Crown Valley Community Center was quickly transformed into an American Red Cross shelter, the Coastal Fire revealed critical gaps in emergency communications.
While trying to navigate the crisis, emergency responders and city staff experienced multiple cellular dead zones throughout the 40-acre Crown Valley Park facility. When people needed to connect with loved ones, access emergency information, or coordinate response efforts, the existing infrastructure simply wasn’t adequate. The city recognized the need for a better solution to emergency situations of all kinds.
The solution—a comprehensive private network infrastructure
After extensive research into private network options, the city turned toward Cox Communications, a longtime service provider in the community. Working closely with a Cox Business executive, they designed a comprehensive connectivity solution tailored to the unique needs of Laguna Niguel—marking Cox’s first major public-private infrastructure collaboration with the city, building on nearly three decades of service and partnerships with local nonprofit organizations.
The 2023 installation of a 500-megabit internet circuit and 16 strategically placed access points created seamless Wi-Fi coverage across the community center, amphitheater, on-site YMCA, playgrounds, picnic areas, aquatics facility, and multi-purpose fields. What makes this partnership particularly innovative is how it serves dual purposes. Phase two will be completed later to include coverage for the botanical garden, soccer fields, and additional areas.
Beyond emergency response is community enhancement
While the primary goal was emergency preparedness, the private network is enhancing daily life of community members and visitors who enjoy free, secure Wi-Fi access throughout the park.
The network’s capabilities are on display and being experienced by attendees at Laguna Niguel’s annual Summer Concert Series, which began on June 6 and runs every two weeks through August 15, demonstrating that emergency infrastructure is not only for emergencies but can support community programming. Now city leaders feel increasingly confident that during an evacuation, first responders, evacuees, and staff will be able to access the necessary resources to navigate whatever comes.
“This partnership with the City of Laguna Niguel demonstrates how private network solutions can transform both emergency preparedness and daily community life,” said Jodi Duva Cox Business Vice President for California. “Whether providing affordable internet access to families or creating robust infrastructure that serves the larger population, we’re helping communities stay connected when it matters most while enhancing their everyday experiences.”
Staying ahead of the next emergency
The solution to the service gaps Laguna Niguel recognized following the Coastal Fire shows how forward-thinking municipalities can leverage private network technology to address both emergency preparedness and community enhancement simultaneously. By partnering with experienced providers like Cox Business, cities can create robust, scalable infrastructure that serves residents in both times of crisis and everyday life. Hopefully most often for the latter.
The news and editorial staffs of Southern California News Group and The San Diego Union-Tribune had no role in this post’s preparation.
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