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AT&T Goes After Copper Wire Thieves

coondoggie writes "Copper thieves targeting Atlanta are now being targeted themselves by AT&T, which is offering $3,000 for information leading to their arrest. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that in one recent three-day stretch, nearly 7,000 customers and two schools lost land line phone service. The FBI has said in the past that the rising theft of the metal is threatening critical infrastructure by targeting electrical substations, cellular towers, telephone land lines, railroads, water wells, construction sites, and vacant homes for lucrative profits."

4 of 338 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Wow! by Abstrackt · · Score: 4, Funny

    Couldn't resist eh?

    --
    They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it's not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance. - Terry Pratchett
  2. Re:Copper theft by Abstrackt · · Score: 4, Informative

    Copper conducts electricity a hell of a lot better than fiber optic though. Not that that's stopped some people:
    Couple electrocuted while stealing copper wire
    Graphic photos too

    --
    They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it's not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance. - Terry Pratchett
  3. Currently inducing a headache... by Duositex · · Score: 5, Funny

    Looks like these guys are stopping people from...

    *puts on sunglasses*
     
    ...conducting business.
     

  4. Re:Scrap dealers; police who don't have time? by Abstrackt · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Phone cables can be replaced, and a lot of people make good money doing it so it actually helps some who are not criminals. I'm just sayin'...

    This reminds me of the parable of the broken window.

    --
    They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it's not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance. - Terry Pratchett