PLATTE COUNTY, MO (KCTV) -
Thieves wanted the telephone lines for copper, but they knocked out emergency operations for fire protection services in southern Platte County.
Chris Denney, director of technology for Southern Platte Fire District, said telephone polls and lines were knocked down, allowing the thieves to get away with 150 feet of copper.
The copper thieves are striking homeowners, businesses and now even the fire department.
"It's super frustrating, it's very frustrating," Denney said.
Firefighters had to turn to a backup communications system and residents had no way to contact the fire department for situations that didn't warrant calling 911.
"All seconds count," he said. "That makes emergency notification slower potentially and creates a dangerous situation for citizens."
Since Sept. 29, copper thieves have created headaches at the fire department on four separate occasions by targeting telephone lines. On Monday, fiber optic lines were so damaged that the backup radio system was employed.
Denney asked residents and drivers to keep a close eye to stop these crooks. He said because the thieves are targeting desolate areas it's proven especially hard to catch them.
If you see anything suspicious call 911.
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