Copper thieves blamed for phone and internet outages

Repeated copper thefts in Washington County are creating significant disruptions for residents and local businesses. Telecommunications provider Brightspeed reports more than 80 incidents since April, resulting in the theft of 2,000 feet of copper and fiber-optic line this month alone.

While the market value of the stolen copper is relatively low, the physical damage to telecommunications pedestals is severe. Brightspeed officials confirm that the destruction to the network and subsequent repair costs reach tens of thousands of dollars. More than 50 pedestals have been targeted in recent months, leaving many without consistent phone or internet access.

Local leaders are calling attention to the broader dangers posed by these crimes. Beyond the loss of connectivity, these outages jeopardize public safety by preventing residents from calling 911 during emergencies. The frequency of these attacks is outpacing the ability of providers to restore services.

In response to the crisis, Missouri lawmakers passed Senate Bill 903. Starting next month, this legislation enables prosecutors to pursue Class C felony charges against individuals who steal infrastructure that supports critical services, regardless of the dollar amount of the stolen material. Local business owners hope that these stiffer penalties and improved surveillance measures will deter future criminal activity and protect vital community infrastructure.