An internet outage affected many residents in Los Angeles and Ventura counties on Sunday. This disruption was caused by an attempted theft of copper wiring in Van Nuys, where vandals cut through crucial fiber-optic cables. Spectrum, the affected internet provider, confirmed the incident and reported that the damage was done sometime after midnight.
Spectrum’s spokesperson, Dennis Johnson, explained that the thieves were looking for copper, which is not found in the fiber-optic cables. The act of vandalism disrupted internet service for many customers, leading to frustrations, especially since the outage occurred on Father’s Day. Users took to social media to express their concerns and seek answers about service restoration.
The repair process was extensive, as technicians had to splice thousands of fiber lines to restore service. By Sunday evening, service was gradually coming back online, with repairs continuing into Monday morning. Spectrum assured affected customers that they would receive a day of credit on their bills automatically, no request needed.
The incident highlights a growing problem in the telecommunications industry, where thefts targeting valuable metals, like copper, are on the rise. Spectrum is working with the Los Angeles Police Department to find those responsible and has offered a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with details about the vandalism is encouraged to contact Spectrum or local law enforcement.
This event underscores the impact of such thefts not only on internet services but also on local businesses and emergency services that rely on reliable communication.