Public Safety
—Communication network under attack from local wire thieves seeking quick cash.—
—Current laws haven’t done enough to curb growing problem.—
By Damon Townsend (February 18, 2025)
Reliable communication is essential to the health, safety, and prosperity of our communities. While many believe we live in a fully wireless world, the reality is that those old telephone lines running along our streets are still critical. These lines connect cell towers, enable small businesses to thrive, and ensure first responders can do their jobs. They power air traffic control systems, allow sensors to monitor natural disasters, and keep vital data flowing in an age dominated by cloud-based services.
Yet this critical infrastructure is increasingly under attack—not from cybercriminals, but from local wire thieves seeking quick cash. A single desperate individual can cut down poles, rip out cables, and leave entire neighborhoods without service for hours or even days. Often, these vandals are after copper to sell to scrap yards, but many of the lines they destroy are fiber-optic cables with no resale value. While the thief might earn a few dollars, the cost of repairs can reach tens of thousands, leaving companies scrambling to restore service and residents cut off from the world.
For homeowners and small businesses, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The Cascade Party stands for expanding access to affordable homeownership by reducing regulatory barriers, but the homes we build must be well-connected to reliable communication infrastructure. When vandals destroy these critical connections, they disrupt lives and livelihoods, hampering remote work and small business operations.
This is not just a matter of inconvenience—it’s a public safety issue. Communication systems connect first responders with people in crisis and provide essential monitoring for natural disasters. The Cascade Party is committed to safe communities through balanced approaches to law enforcement and crisis intervention, and protecting our infrastructure must be part of that effort.
The state must do more than increase penalties for wire theft. Tougher laws only work if they are enforced. That’s why we advocate for accountable governance, focusing on transparency and practical solutions that address root problems. Current laws requiring recyclers to record the names and addresses of scrap sellers are a step in the right direction, but they haven’t done enough to curb this growing problem.
It’s time for Washington to take wire theft seriously and protect our communities. The Cascade Party believes in practical solutions, not empty promises, and offers a comprehensive approach:
Establish a Task Force: Partner with communication companies to identify high-risk areas and proactively address incidents of theft.
Expand Law Enforcement Patrols: Treat known wire theft hotspots like any other high-crime areas, deploying resources to deter vandalism and ensure accountability.
Increase Compliance Checks on Recyclers: Conduct sting operations at scrap yards, similar to those for alcohol and cannabis sales, to stop illegal purchases of stolen wire.
These steps align with our broader platform, which emphasizes public safety, economic growth, and sustainable infrastructure. Just as we support investments in energy independence, family farms, and quality education, we must also protect the networks that keep our communities connected and growing.
Without reliable communication, businesses suffer, workers are cut off, and emergency services are compromised. Protecting our communication infrastructure is about more than security—it’s about fostering growth, ensuring safety, and securing a better future for everyone in Washington.
Damon Townsend is a Cascade Party board Member, representing district 3/6. He has experience in government administration.(Image: Rosemary Roberts / Alamy Stock Photo)
CASCADE PARTY of WASHINGTON
PO Box 28004
Seattle, WA 98118