# Verizon Offers $25,000 Reward for California Cable Vandals Fiber optic outages disrupt emergency services and thousands of customers. - **Source:** [TalkAndroid](https://brifing.si/source/ab08cf35-9595-489a-9848-b3b3b67ca5ca) - **Published:** 2026-08-14 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/fa4389ca-e0f9-4693-80b1-d8c0addcf890 ## Wave of Cable Cutting Verizon reported multiple fiber optic cables cut due to vandalism in Los Angeles and Southern California recently. These outages left thousands of customers without service and disrupted critical communication networks. In 2025 alone, California recorded 6,297 cases of cable vandalism. Los Angeles experienced 1,131 outages, with estimated economic losses reaching $252.6 million. ## $25,000 Reward Verizon launched a reward system to curb vandalism, offering $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of culprits. The company emphasized that such damage affects emergency services, healthcare, businesses, and ordinary customers. It also noted that cable cutters put themselves at risk. The reward is only valid for information resulting in convictions. ## Misdirected Target The vandalism is likely carried out by thieves seeking copper or scrap metal. However, fiber optic cables are made of plastic and glass and contain no valuable metal. Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated that thieves mistakenly believed the cables contained something valuable. This misdirected targeting leads to significant economic losses. ## Spectrum Incident In June 2025, telecom company Spectrum suffered a similar attack in Los Angeles. In Van Nuys, 13 cables and over 2,600 fiber optic lines were severed. The company labeled the incident as 'domestic terrorism,' but the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) denied this claim. The case is being investigated as vandalism, highlighting security vulnerabilities in the industry. ## Legal Consequences At the federal level, damaging communication infrastructure can result in up to 10 years in prison. If the damage affects national security or emergency services, penalties can escalate. In California, such acts typically fall under 'felony vandalism,' punishable by up to 3 years in state prison and restitution payments for repair costs, depending on the extent of the damage. ## Political Reactions Assemblyman Mark González drafted a bill requiring a state license to resell copper wire and other recyclable materials. González stated that the city has gone 'dark' due to rising copper theft. He added that Californians are tired of paying the price for theft that also steals their safety and community. ## Safety Measures Verizon advised customers to first move to a safe location if they see someone damaging cables, then call 911. They also recommended reporting the incident to Verizon's Security Department. The company warned that vandals might act aggressively if they realize they are being watched. Reporting suspicious activity alone is not enough for the reward; information must lead to convictions. ## Industry's Future Cable vandalism poses a major threat to the telecom industry. Such attacks not only cause economic losses but also undermine public safety. Verizon's reward system and legal penalties may help reduce vandalism. However, more comprehensive measures are needed to protect infrastructure. This situation forces telecom companies to rethink their security strategies. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.talkandroid.com/529839-verizon-cable-vandal-bounty/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._