Fort Worth records 545% spike in cable thefts

Fort Worth is experiencing a significant rise in metal thefts, particularly involving AT&T cable wires, with a staggering 545% increase in reported cases over the past two years. Mayor Pro Tem Gyna Bivens has voiced concerns about the impact on residents, noting that outages can affect critical services such as internet access for medical devices. The Fort Worth Police Department's Metal Theft Unit highlighted the broader implications of these thefts, which not only disrupt local services but also cost providers millions in replacement and restoration efforts. AT&T has responded by deploying additional crews to repair damage quickly, while police have requested more investigators to tackle the issue. The city is also offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of those involved in the thefts. The situation reflects a national trend, indicating that copper theft is affecting communities across the United States.