In a push for more people to be able to get shark alerts on their phones, the Town of Wellfleet, Massachusetts, is making its beaches better connected to the internet.
Nearly six years after the death of 26-year-old Arthur Medici, the town is using state funding to offer Wi-Fi at some of its four Atlantic coastline beaches, so beachgoers can use apps like Sharktivity or call 911 in case of an emergency.
“Right now, Marconi and White Crest [beaches] are successfully up and running and the Wi-Fi strength there is amazing,” said Suzanne Grout Thomas, Wellfleet’s director of Community Services.
The other two beaches in town, including Newcomb Hollow — where Medici was attacked in 2018 — are expected to be hooked up to the internet in the future. Wi-Fi boosters are also being installed where needed.
Cape Cod has become a hot spot for great white sharks, which are brought to the area by prey like seals in the summer and fall.
Aside from Wi-Fi, Wellfleet also had land phones and a kit to handle severe bleeding in case of an attack available at town beaches.
More Cape Cod shark news
Massachusetts
Jul 8
INTERACTIVE: See where great white sharks have been spotted off Cape Cod this summer
Massachusetts
Jul 29
Hammerhead shark spotted swimming off Cape Cod
Massachusetts
Jul 27, 2023
New research finds proof this area is a major white shark hot spot