Thousands of Los Angeles residents lost internet service over the weekend due to vandalism that severed more than 1,400 fiber-optic lines. The incidents, which affected Spectrum and Verizon customers, occurred on Friday and Sunday in areas including West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Koreatown.
Spectrum reported that its fiber-optic cables were slashed in Baldwin Hills on Friday, leading to widespread outages. The company filed a police report with the Los Angeles Police Department and worked to restore service over the weekend. A Spectrum spokesperson described the events as "criminal attacks on communications infrastructure," noting that such acts "threaten public safety."
MOBILE AND INTERNET SERVICE DISRUPTIONS
Approximately 1,400 fibers were cut, and Spectrum is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest of those responsible. The company stated that fiber-optic lines do not contain valuable metals, suggesting the motive may be disruption rather than theft. Spectrum employs 24-hour surveillance and intends to prosecute individuals who damage its infrastructure.
A similar attack on Verizon's network on Sunday caused further service disruptions across Southern California, impacting both wireless and internet connectivity. A Verizon spokesperson confirmed that multiple fiber cables were deliberately damaged, affecting mobility and internet customers. Repairs were underway, with service expected to be restored by Sunday evening.
Verizon emphasized that these incidents are more than property crimes, highlighting that they "cut off vital lifelines for our first responders and public safety officials who rely on constant connectivity."
The attacks occurred in densely populated and affluent areas of Los Angeles, raising concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure. The exact number of impacted Verizon subscribers was not specified, but the company serves nearly eight million customers in California. Investigations into the identities and motives of the vandals are ongoing.