Residents of Hacienda Heights are grappling with a string of copper wire thefts that have left them without landline phone service for approximately seven months, a situation that has stymied communication and heightened concerns for safety in emergencies. During a community meeting organized by the Hacienda Heights Improvement Association, locals voiced their frustration and desperation, with one homeowner, Mike Wiener, detailing the dire consequences of being cut, "If there's a fire, a flood, a hurricane, an earthquake, we have no communication," Wiener told CBS News Los Angeles.
The neighborhood's geography contributes to the urgency of the matter, according to Diana Arnold, a longtime Hacienda Heights resident, who explained that the unreliable cell service makes landlines "our lifeline; it's not just a landline," Arnold's concerns were echoed to ABC7 especially given the area's susceptibility to wildfires. Furthermore, difficulties with reaching Frontier Communications were a common grievance, as service interruptions persist despite ongoing charges to customers, which only compounds the community's exasperation.
According to responses during the community meeting, Frontier Communications, the provider for the area, is battling a relentless cycle of theft and repair of the copper wires needed for the phone lines; the company's spokesperson, Douglas McAllister, described tackling the issue as akin to playing a game of "Whac-A-Mole," in a statement given to ABC7. While McAllister mentioned the prospect of transitioning from copper to fiber optic service, which would theoretically deter thefts—since fiber, being glass, lacks resale value—safety regulations prevent forcing customers to switch, leaving the infrastructure vulnerable to further thefts.
Collaborative efforts are also in motion as Frontier is working closely with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the copper thieves, "If you see something, please say something," McAllister emboldened residents during the community meeting, these details were reported by ABC7. In the interim, for residents and businesses alike, assurances of action provide scant comfort amid the tangible fears of isolation, as HHIA board member Ali Wiener points out the continuous rebound of theft following repair efforts, this situation was chronicled in an interview by KTLA.
