AT&T customers left without service in Baldwin Hills due to copper thieves [Video]

BALDWIN HILLS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Copper thieves are targeting AT&T customers and affecting landline service in Baldwin Hills and the company is now trying to solve the issue with the help of law enforcement.

“Nothing… nothing,” said Pearl McKnight in reference to her hardline phone, which has been out of service for the last couple weeks.

The 88-year-old says AT&T representatives told her she lost her phone service because thieves stole the copper cables connected to the hardline phone wiring in the area.

She said over 700 families are without service, possibly until the end of November.

McKnight said the phone company told her work crews can’t make repairs to restore service until new cables are ordered.

The Heavy Metal Task Force was formed earlier this year to battle a rise in copper-wire theft that has left Los Angeles neighborhoods in the dark.

Copper theftin Los Angeles is a serious problem that prompted the city to …