Spectrum fiber lines were intentionally cut in Southern Pines on Sunday morning, leaving thousands without internet. Spectrum was notified of the damage about 4 a.m. when alarms sounded notifying them of an outage on Old Morganton Road.
Sandhills Sentinel
According to Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields, the Southern Pines Police were contacted around 11 a.m. after crews noticed what appeared to be malicious damage. Southern Pines Police notified the Sheriff’s Department when they determined the actual areas of the damaged lines were in the county jurisdiction.Â
The lines were cut in two separate areas that were close to 100 feet from each other. The lines are approximately 35 feet above the ground. Spectrum crews advised that they should have internet service restored by 6 p.m.
Moore County Public Safety said on its Facebook page around 1 p.m., “Moore County Public Safety is aware of a Charter Spectrum service outage that may affect your ability to call or text 9-1-1. Charter Spectrum has been notified and is working to resolve the issue. If you are unable to reach 9-1-1, please go to your nearest fire department for assistance.”
Fields advised that the investigation was ongoing and that they would release more information as it becomes available.Â
Spectrum’s website says the company “offers up to $25,000 for tips leading to arrests in cases of vandalism.”
This incident reminds many Moore County residents of Dec. 3, 2022, when two Duke Energy electrical substations in Carthage and West End were damaged by gunfire, knocking out power for five days for 45,000 residents and businesses.
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