AT&T Goes After Copper Wire Thieves

coondoggie writes "Copper thieves targeting Atlanta are now being targeted themselves by AT&T, which is offering $3,000 for information leading to their arrest. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that in one recent three-day stretch, nearly 7,000 customers and two schools lost land line phone service. The FBI has said in the past that the rising theft of the metal is threatening critical infrastructure by targeting electrical substations, cellular towers, telephone land lines, railroads, water wells, construction sites, and vacant homes for lucrative profits."

Re:Copper theft

[Abstrackt]

Copper conducts electricity a hell of a lot better than fiber optic though. Not that that's stopped some people:
Couple electrocuted while stealing copper wire [latimes.com]
Graphic photos too [snopes.com]