Fort Worth officials report surge in metal thefts, outline enforcement and legislative steps

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, Charter Spectrum and Fort Worth police described arrests, scrap‑yard inspections and a $10,000 reward tied to arrests and convictions.

Key facts and enforcement activity - The Metal Theft Unit told council members the city has seen a 545 percent increase in AT&T cable theft when comparing an earlier two‑year period to 2022–2024; overall metal‑theft reports rose about 53 percent, according to the unit. - Police named officers Wright and Purcelli for recent enforcement work; those officers and the unit made more than 20 arrests related to metal theft in February 2024, officials said. - AT&T representative Curtis Goodall said the company is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to arrest and conviction; the reward offer runs through November 2025. - Law enforcement representatives said many suspects have prior records and some appear to be organized groups that cut, splice and transport cable to scrap yards.

Industry and city actions Officials described a regional work group convened by Mayor Pro Tem Gina Bivens that includes city departments, AT&T, Charter Spectrum and other partners. The Fort Worth Police Department said its unit inspects local scrap‑metal recycling yards to improve compliance and educate operators on signs of stolen cable.

“Every person that’s been arrested has either a misdemeanor or felony record,” Curtis Goodall said, noting repeat arrests and cross‑jurisdictional movement of suspects across the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex.

Legislative and regional coordination Police and industry representatives said they are working with state lawmakers to craft legislation that would increase penalties for critical‑infrastructure assaults and to address gaps that helped reduce catalytic‑converter thefts in prior sessions. The presenters said the city is exploring a regional task force across neighboring jurisdictions, because cable lines and thefts cross municipal boundaries.

Council questions and next steps Council members asked about jail capacity, charges and whether arrests lead to sustained prosecution; presenters said most charges are filed under Texas law specific to metal theft and recyclable material theft, and that district‑attorney practices vary by county. Officers said recent months have not seen the earlier jail overcrowding that once limited arrests.

The police unit requested continued collaboration with industry and additional reporting by the public. “If you see somebody climbing up a pole and cutting a wire, call 911 and report it,” White said.