NEW YORK, April 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon today
reported a more than 100 percent increase in the number of
suspected incidents of sabotage that have cut off thousands of
Verizon customers from critical wireline services.
Last week, Verizon reported that it was investigating 24
suspected criminal incidents in five states since April 13. As of yesterday, that number has
increased to 57 incidents in seven states.
The company continues to offer rewards of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and
prosecution of individuals who intentionally damage Verizon
equipment. Anyone witnessing sabotage should call 911 and then
contact Verizon's Security department at 1-800-997-3287.
"These are criminal activities, affecting people's safety and
putting lives at risk. We are investigating all reports and
pursuing all avenues to assist law enforcement in finding and
convicting the perpetrators of these acts," said Michael Mason, Verizon's chief security
officer.
The incidents – which are rare under normal circumstances – have
continued at an accelerated rate since April
13. Most involve the severing of fiber-optic cables – which
can serve hundreds or thousands of customers – or severe damage or
vandalization to terminal boxes that serve as distribution hubs for
wireline communications services to entire buildings or
neighborhoods.
For example, on April 15 in
Salisbury, Mass., vandals sliced a
group of wires inside a terminal that provided 911 emergency
services to local residents. Services have since been restored by
Verizon managers.
Other incidents, which are currently under investigation and
which have since been repaired, include:
- In Delaware, three separate
incidents occurred yesterday in Hockessin at fiber hub locations; fiber cables
were severed in multiple locations.
- In New Jersey, there have been
17 incidents of suspected sabotage since April 13, primarily in the northern part of the
state.
- In New York, the second most
impacted state, 15 incidents are under investigation.
- In Pennsylvania, 10 incidents
are under investigation, including suspected arson involving a
fire-damaged terminal in Drexel
Hill.
- In Virginia, cables have been
severed, or equipment stolen, in eight separate incidents.
- In Maryland, fiber cables were
ripped from a hub in Brandywine on April
22.
"Initial investigation and evidence show that all these
incidents involve the deliberate and willful destruction of
critical communications facilities," said Mason. "We suspect
violations of federal law, and Verizon is working with authorities
to pursue criminal charges."
These malicious actions take place as Verizon is experiencing a
strike, now in its 15th day, involving about 36,000 employees,
primarily in its wireline business in nine Northeast and
Mid-Atlantic states plus Washington,
D.C. Normally, the company experiences about a half dozen
dangerous and reckless acts of destructive vandalism each year.
Verizon Wireless operations have had very minimal impact from
the strike.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in
New York City, generated nearly
$132 billion in 2015 revenues.
Verizon operates America's most reliable wireless network, with
112.6 million retail connections nationwide. The company also
provides communications and entertainment services over America's
most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business
solutions to customers worldwide.
VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: News releases, feature stories,
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Media contact:
Rich Young
202.515.2514
richard.j.young@verizon.com
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SOURCE Verizon