Residents of the Steelhead neighborhood north of Mission, B.C., have been experiencing frequent disruptions to their internet, phone, and cable services due to ongoing copper thefts. Despite Telus upgrading most of the area to fibre-optic cable in 2021, the problem persists, posing a threat to public safety.

The latest incident on Tuesday left many residents without service for a significant portion of the day. Candace Koch reported that the lines have been cut four times in the past seven months, including an incident where thieves severed the line feeding the local cell tower, rendering cell phone services unusable.

With approximately 800 residents in Steelhead, Jana Tennant described it as a community with “one road in, one road out,” making it a prime target for thieves. The repeated thefts target specific areas where some subscribers still use copper lines, which are replaced each time they are stolen.

Telus is considering installing signs to alert thieves that the lines are now fibre-optic and is willing to transition remaining copper users to this more secure option. However, no action has been taken yet.

Telus responded promptly by dispatching crews to restore service by Tuesday night. The company highlighted its collaboration with local law enforcement and investments in security measures like cameras, specialized locks, and fencing to combat copper theft. Telus also encouraged residents to report any suspicious activity to police or Crime Stoppers.

Community frustration is growing as concerns about public safety mount. Residents like Koch are calling on Telus to find a permanent solution by eliminating copper lines altogether from the area.

Copper theft is not exclusive to Telus; Bell has also faced similar challenges with periodic thefts. In response, Bell has implemented booby traps and legal actions against thieves.

As telecommunications companies continue their efforts to combat copper theft and improve service reliability for customers, residents remain hopeful for lasting solutions that prioritize public safety and uninterrupted connectivity.