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Fort Worth officials report surge in metal thefts, outline enforcement and legislative steps
Summary
Fort Worth Police and industry partners told the City Council that copper cable thefts have spiked, disrupting internet and other critical services; police outlined arrests, regional coordination and pending legislative work to strengthen penalties.
Fort Worth officials told the City Council on Feb. 11 that thefts of copper telecommunications cable and other metal have sharply increased, disrupting internet service and other critical infrastructure and prompting arrests and industry‑law enforcement coordination.
The city’s metal theft unit, created in response to repeated outages, briefed council members on investigations and enforcement. “When a copper thief … disrupts critical infrastructure, it impacts not only city hall, but hospitals, post offices, and every facet of our life,” Anthony White, supervisor of the Fort Worth Police Department’s Metal Theft Unit, said during the update.
Why it matters: Speakers said the thefts can cut service for thousands of residents and pose public‑safety and economic impacts when 2‑ to 300‑foot stretches of cable are removed. AT&T,…
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