Law enforcement pushed back damage to some of the San Fernando Valley’s fiber optic lines on Tuesday with an Internet service company’s characterization as an act of “domestic terrorism.”
Several air cables in Charter Communication were cut off at Vanny last month, causing disruption to services across Southern California, and the company initially characterized the incident as vandalism.
The charter issued a press release Tuesday, saying the damage should be considered a terrorist act, and then the company came up with an explanation internally, acknowledging that it was not a resolve by the agency.
“We (the Charter) viewed this as a domestic terrorist act,” Charter spokesman Justin Begnench emailed NBC News in response to questions about the announcement.
Venech said several other states have passed laws to make intentional attacks on communications infrastructure a more serious crime, and more laws are needed to “stopping off crime.”
Last month, Charter said the damage to the fiber optic line was the result of a burglar’s failed attempt to steal the copper wire, providing a $25,000 reward for the information.
“The incident involving the disconnection of a fiber optic cable in Vanneis on June 15th, 2025 is being investigated as a case of felony vandalism,” said Jennifer Faulk, LAPD’s Director of Public Affairs.
“Based on the evidence collected and the circumstances observed at the scene, this incident is not treated as a domestic terrorist act,” she said.
The FBI said it was aware of Van Nice’s case and “working with law enforcement partners to investigate the nature of the attack to include motives.”
Federal law on domestic terrorism defines it as a dangerous act to human lives that appears to be intended to blackmail civilians, influence government policies, or influence government functional capabilities through mass destruction, assassination, or trickery.
A Charter spokesman said the label “terrorism” was based on the composition of affected customers, including textile reduction, scope of damage, composition of affected customers, emergency services, US military bases, emergency dispatch, 911 communications services, local governments, financial institutions, court buildings, medical facilities, hospitals, watchdogs, and more.
The cut lines were strung between several utility poles along Bessemer Street in Vanneis. This was running parallel to the Metro Busway just south of LAPD’s Van Nuys Division.
New fiber optic cables and equipment were seen along the busway on Tuesday.
LAPD said the emergency communications centre was not affected by the June 15 suspension.
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