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Frontier official warns of rising copper-cable thefts that have caused outages and safety risks
Summary
A Frontier Communications vice president told the La Habra Heights council that cable thefts are driving local outages that can disrupt emergency services; Frontier is coordinating with law enforcement and offering a $5,000 reward for information.
Doug McAllister, identifying himself as vice president of Frontier Communications, told the council that theft of copper cabling has caused local outages affecting residences and critical services. "Most of the time, I would say 90% of the time when there's an outage, it's just because of cable theft," McAllister said, describing thieves cutting poles and removing cabling.
McAllister said the problem can reach beyond inconvenience: outages can affect 911 dial tone, hospitals, police departments and even, in reported cases elsewhere, military bases. He said Frontier is working with county sheriffs and municipalities, offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to arrests, and hopes to convene a consortium of elected officials to coordinate a statewide response.
During public comment a resident raised a question about unlabeled contractor vehicles; McAllister replied that contractors are required to display Frontier logos and badges and that the company will investigate unmarked crews. He left contact information with city staff and offered to meet individually with officials.
No council action was taken; the item served as public notice to residents and a request for municipal partnership on enforcement and awareness.
