Bell restores internet for most Fredericton-area customers following copper wire theft
Bell Aliant says crews worked through the night to restore connection for affected customers
Bell Aliant says it has restored service to most of its customers that lost internet following a copper wire theft in Fredericton.
The company posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that crews will continue to work on Sunday morning to finish the job.
On Saturday, a spokesperson for Bell Aliant said the cable theft was affecting internet, television and home phone services for customers in Fredericton North, Barkers Point, Pepper Creek, Lower St. Marys and Noonan.
According to Bell, the company has had 115 incidents of vandalism in New Brunswick since the start of 2022. They say each incident takes an average of 18 hours to repair.
The Fredericton Police Force confirmed on Sunday they are investigating the theft.
Bell
Aliant posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that crews worked
through the night to restore connection to affected customers. (Bell Aliant)
This is the second copper wire theft in Fredericton in the past week. On Wednesday, police responded to a call at Pine Grove Nursing Home, where thieves had taken the copper wire from the nursing home's Christmas display.
Copper wire theft leaves 900 Fredericton area customers without internet
Bell Aliant says crews working to restore service to affected customers
A spokesperson for Bell Aliant said the cable theft is affecting internet, television and home phone services for customers in Fredericton North, Barkers Point, Pepper Creek, Lower St. Marys and Noonan.
According to Bell, the company has had 115 incidents of vandalism in New Brunswick since the start of 2022. They say each incident takes an average of 18 hours to repair.
CBC has reached out to Fredericton police for comment, but has not received a response.
Bell Aliant crews string new wire across the Nashwaak River on Saturday following a copper wire theft. (Lars Schwarz)
This is the second copper wire theft in Fredericton in the past week. On Wednesday, police responded to a call at Pine Grove Nursing Home, where thieves had taken the copper wire from the nursing home's Christmas display.
Thieves steal copper wiring from Fredericton nursing home's Christmas display
Pine Grove targeted in robbery, damage repaired by crew
More than 100 trees line the driveway of Pine Grove Nursing Home, with lights connected to and powered by extensive wiring for the annual Festival of Lights, which gets underway next month.
Nursing home staff discovered the wiring was missing on Oct. 25, according to a statement from Fredericton police.
Police spokesperson Sonya Gilks said there are currently no suspects in the theft and police are asking anyone with information to contact them.
The nursing home directed questions about the incident to the Pine Grove Foundation, which is responsible for the display.
Several members of the foundation that were on site Wednesday afternoon, repairing the damage and replacing the wire, declined to be interviewed by CBC News.
Decorating has already begun on the more than 100 Christmas trees that line the road into Pine Grove. (Sam Farley/CBC News)
Preparation of the holiday trees usually begins in October, with the lights switched on for the month of December, delighting not only Pine Grove's residents and staff, but also people in the community who come out to enjoy the spectacle.
The trees are sponsored by both businesses and individuals, with contributions ranging from $250 to $1,000 per tree. The decorating is done by a large group of volunteers.
The proceeds go toward purchasing items for the nursing home that aren't covered through their regular funds, including new dining room tables, chairs and an outdoor garden for residents.
Copper is one of the most valuable scrap metals and currently sits at roughly $5.50 per pound in value.
Such thefts are on the rise in New Brunswick, with thieves are cutting and stripping the metal wherever they can find it: in private homes, businesses, electrical substations, construction sites and even directly from utility poles and street lights.
N.B. Power and Bell have reported many thefts of copper wire in recent years, which often knocks out internet for customers.
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