Copper theft is a growing threat in Eastern Kentucky, and we are responding with stronger action. As these crimes continue to threaten critical infrastructure, efforts are increasing to help protect communities and keep people connected.
Recognizing the significant impact to local communities that can result from copper theft and vandalism, elected officials at the state and local levels have adopted policies that give law enforcement increased tools to fight this growing risk.
In addition, communications providers are expanding our collaboration with local governments and law enforcement to combat copper theft. AT&T is now offering a $10,000 reward for tips that lead to the arrest and conviction of copper theft suspects in Kentucky. This new reward sends a clear message: copper theft is a serious crime and stopping it will take all of us to work together.
The benefits of this community collaboration are clear in places like Louisville, where focused efforts to address copper theft are delivering real results. Appropriate local laws and a coordinated task force response has led to arrests and a sharp decline in theft. After experiencing as many as three incidents of copper wire theft per day in late 2023 and early 2024, AT&T Kentucky has seen significant improvement in Louisville.
From January 2025 to January 2026, theft incidents impacting AT&T Kentucky’s network in Louisville dropped 90%. In February and March of this year, there were zero incidents.
These results show that when communities, elected officials, service providers, and law enforcement work together, progress is possible. They also underscore the need to stay focused, as much of the issue has shifted to Eastern Kentucky, including areas like Pike County and surrounding counties.
These thefts do far more than damage property. They disrupt communications, drive up repair costs, and create serious safety risks for workers and communities. When infrastructure is targeted, customers can lose service and neighborhoods can feel the impact quickly
In some cases, the consequences have been especially severe. In Martin County last year, the theft and cutting of fiber optic and phone lines caused a widespread outage that left residents unable to reach 911 services. In another case in January 2026, the theft of roughly 1,500 feet of telecommunications cable disrupted internet service across multiple counties and left 911 lines down for about five hours in Estill County. These incidents show how a single act of theft can have far-reaching consequences for public safety.
Eastern Kentucky has continued to experience this pattern in 2026. In Pike County, law enforcement arrested a suspect in connection with stolen AT&T telecommunications cable, with evidence that included surveillance video. Cases like this show both the persistence of the problem and the importance of strong coordination between service providers and law enforcement.
More broadly, repeated cable theft incidents across parts of Eastern and Central Kentucky have affected counties including Laurel, Clay, Knox, and Estill, disrupting the ability of residents to contact first responders, emergency services, and local law enforcement. These are not isolated property crimes. They are attacks on infrastructure people rely on every day.
So far this year, there have been 99 reported thefts, costing roughly $500,000 in repairs. In 2025, there were 205 thefts, resulting in $1.6 million in repair costs and affecting more than 8,000 residential and business customers.
These numbers show the scale of the problem. Every theft can damage essential network infrastructure, create avoidable outages, and pull resources away from ongoing work to maintain service and install new fiber technology for customers.
AT&T appreciates the hard work of Kentucky lawmakers in advancing broader action on this issue. Senate Bill 291, passed during the 2026 legislative session, establishes a statewide licensing and oversight system for secondary metals recyclers, building on the model already in place in Louisville. The law also strengthens reporting requirements for metals transactions by requiring recyclers to submit additional information to a state database, including a copy of the seller’s ID and photos of both the seller’s vehicle and the property being sold.
If residents see suspicious activity around utility lines, network equipment, or other infrastructure, reporting it can help law enforcement act quickly. The new reward is meant to encourage more people to come forward with information that could help stop these crimes. Tipsters with information can remain anonymous and should call local law enforcement and AT&T Global Security at 1-800-807-4205.
We all have a role to play in protecting the infrastructure that keeps communities connected. By staying alert and reporting suspicious behavior, Kentucky residents can help reduce theft, protect public safety, and support more reliable service.
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