Optimum identifies third recent incident of vandalism in St. Joseph area

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Optimum said it's network was targeted again Monday night, after previously suffering from two recent vandalisms.

The line, located at the corner of Ajax and Mason Roads was damaged around 10 p.m.

Optimum said its crews worked overnight to restore service by 4 a.m., and that a police report has been filed.

"These crimes disrupt vital services such as 911 emergency calling, putting public safety at risk and highlighting a growing challenge for service providers and residents alike," the company said in a news release.

Optimum also issued an apology to residents, and hopes the community can assist in avoiding any disruptions.

"We sincerely apologize to our customers who experienced an internet service disruption last night. Our teams responded immediately and restored service overnight after our network was deliberately damaged by criminal activity. We appreciate our customers' patience and urge the community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to local authorities."

Optimum encouraged residents and businesses to be alert for unmarked vehicles or individuals working near infrastructure without proper identification.

If the public notices someone who can't provide official credentials or seems out of place, report it to local authorities. The instance can also be reported directly to Optimum's Customer Support, who will inform its Security Operations Team.

Reports can be made by visiting Optimum.com and connecting with the 24/7 chat support, or through the My Optimum app.

The company said it's network does not contain copper and the process to restore fiber is intricate. Every strand must be spliced inside and enclosure that protects it from the weather.

Fiber optic cables are also worthless once they are cut, according to the release. When cut, the cables are often left a the scene leaving exposed wires and unstable equipment, which could increase the risk of injury to residents, workers and first responders.