It doesn't matter who you are, you rely on copper wire whether you realize it or not. Copper wiring delivers electricity to your home and business as well as some of your internet services. Without it, you have no power or internet.

Fort Worth is experiencing huge issues of entire neighborhoods going without power or internet service because some low-life scum ended up tying a rope or chain onto a stretch of cable and ripping it down from the utility pole and driving away dragging it behind them.

A security camera captured this scenario on December 15th. A rental truck was dragging a stretch of cable down a Fort Worth neighborhood street, which was attached to the back of the truck by a chain.

Why is copper in demand?

Copper is a base metal that conducts electrical signals well. When stripped of its plastic covering, copper can fetch a high price at the scrap yard. It currently sells for nearly $5 a pound (Google). Some AT&T wire stolen in the Fort Worth area can fetch as much as $20 per foot of cable.

Thieves stealing the wire will disrupt essential services, medical devices, business operations, internet service, and other things that people rely on every day.

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Which Texas city is seeing a spike in copper theft?

While copper theft is happening around the Lone Star State, the city of Fort Worth has recently experienced a more than 500% increase in the number of reported copper thefts in the past two years. (WFAA) The thefts are severely hurting AT&T and its services in a portion of the city.

Thefts are costing companies and their customers millions of dollars each year because it all has to be replaced.

The City Of Fort Worth has established a special task force to try to combat this theft and has added more detectives to their special Metal Theft Unit.

Legislation is being introduced in the state capital that looks to address this issue. According to reports from NBCDFW, the proposed state legislation

includes the introduction of new laws to strengthen legal frameworks, the implementation of stricter regulations to govern the metal recycling industry, and the establishment of more severe penalties for individuals who are repeat offenders.'

If you notice any suspicious activity around utility poles in your neighborhood, you're encouraged to call 9-1-1 to report the suspicious activity. Those up on utility poles are often accompanied by marked utility trucks.

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