Kathy Whyte/ WNBF News
Sheriff Craig DuMond says people taking target practice or trying to take out nuisance wildlife are causing damage to fiber optic cables and other critical telecommunications infrastructure. The damage can lead to widespread and prolonged disruption of critical telecommunication infrastructure in an area where many residents already complain of spotty service.
Authorities say they realize the damages are often unintended and people may not see any immediate evidence of damage but internal hits on the facilities could shut down emergency 911, radio communications used by fire, medical and law enforcement agencies, emergency television alert systems as well as residents’ own cell phones, business internet and television.
Sheriff and Phone Company Warn of Shooting Birds on Phone Wires
In a press release today, Delaware County Sheriff Craig DuMond warned of shooting birds around phone lines.
As a result of recent damages to fiber optics cables in the county, Delaware County Sheriff Craig S. DuMond and the management of the Delhi and Margaretville Telephone Companies remind everyone that shooting at birds or animals on utility lines, as well as target shooting in the area of those utility lines, will very likely result in damages to the fiber optic cables and other critical telecommunications infrastructure. Damages to this infrastructure often leads to widespread and prolonged disruption of critical telecommunication infrastructure.