As AT&T line employees began working all day on Wednesday to restore phone and internet service to a neighbourhood in southern Dallas after copper thieves wrecked havoc on utility wires, the signs of destruction were evident.
“From what I gather, they’re employing things like those bucket trucks that they might go rent. Ladders are used by some. So, they’re quite inventive,” said Carolyn King Arnold, a member of the Dallas City Council.
A text message warning that restoration may take up to 13 hours woke up about 300 homes.
Your Internet is down, therefore it’s a hassle. Your TV is broken. Although we are all connected, Isaac Steen said that we are currently disconnecting.
Although Steen’s scheduled attendance at a local library’s computer lesson was postponed, he claimed he was more worried for his neighbor, whose reliance on a landline phone was also lost.
She is an elderly woman, and I hadn’t seen her until late today because no one has phone or internet connection. I had to call some of her family members to make sure she was okay.
These are annoyances. That might have been lot worse, as Arnold worries.
My understanding is that it’s a tendency that’s more widespread than many of us realize, she added.
A man allegedly broke into an AT&T facility in October of last year in search of copper, causing damage that temporarily disrupted 911 service in the region, and Lake Worth Police published a picture of chopped wires in the process.
In a similar vein, Dallas Police said that they have looked into recent copper thefts. She urges neighbors to keep a look out while Arnold speaks with city officials.
She remarked, “We cannot allow situations like these to pass without being handled.
Tuesday night, AT&T verified that fiber had been severed in the region, which appeared to be the result of theft or vandalism.
The business requested that locals be alert for any unmarked vehicles or someone tampering with cables.
Consumers can call AT&T Asset Protection at 800-807-4205 to anonymously report any suspicious activity to the local police.
