Vandals slash fiber cables, knocking out internet for West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Koreatown
Fiber-optic lines were cut in Baldwin Hills, causing internet outages for Spectrum users in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Koreatown, with Verizon also hit by similar damage.
A criminal act on Friday in Baldwin Hills resulted in fiber-optic cables being ripped from the ground, cutting internet access for Spectrum customers in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Koreatown. Spectrum reported the incident to the Los Angeles Police Department, started splicing more than 1,400 damaged fibers and announced a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to arrests. The company warned that such attacks on communications infrastructure pose a danger to public safety.
Verizon experienced similar deliberate damage, interrupting wireless and internet service for users in Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas, and hampering connectivity for first responders. A Verizon spokesperson confirmed the cuts were intentional and said service should be restored by early evening. Both providers emphasized that these are not ordinary property crimes but threats to essential lifelines.
Why it matters
Disrupting fiber networks can cripple internet and emergency communications for thousands of residents.
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