Truman McGeorge, owner of Corbin Communications, Inc., began fielding phone calls from worried customers Tuesday morning, but the complaints have been far more severe than someone disputing a late fee charge.
Corbin Communications operates an 80-foot tower, located on top of Ball Knob Mountain in the Rockholds area. The sole purpose of the tower, McGeorge said, is to serve local emergency service agencies with their two-way communications.
McGeorge said that on either Sunday evening or Monday morning, thieves cut several copper cables from the tower. These cables attach the antenna at the top of the tower to the component that allows for the transmittal of two-way radio signals. Without those cables, McGeorge said, two-way contacts made by nearby emergency service agencies will not work and emergency service personnel will not be able to communicate with one another.
“It’s definitely more serious than just stealing copper,” he said.
While McGeorge said the building outside the tower has seen its share of vandalism, such as windows being shot out and locks cut, he said this incident has presented a new conundrum.
“We’ve always had some vandalism, but we’ve never had our cables stolen,” he said.
Police have already advised McGeorge that hopes of finding any leads in the case are slim.
McGeorge said a repair crew was out on Thursday to fix damage to the tower but the new copper cables, which early estimates indicate will cost around $15,000 to replace, may not arrive until Monday. McGeorge is worried that once the new cables are installed, there is always the possibility that thieves could strike again.
“We’re up there right now,” McGeorge said. “I’ve got my fingers crossed. As soon as we get it back up, they could do it again.”
McGeorge has plans to deter future thefts. For starters, he plans to place a sign on the building near the tower.
“Hopefully they can read that and realize what they’re doing,” McGeorge said.
McGeorge is also going to seek the help of those living in the Rockholds area. He said he plans on going around the community to see if he can track down any leads on who may have taken the cables and ask citizens to keep an eye peeled for suspicious activity around the tower.
“That’s why I’m going to go out in the community, knock on doors, and see if I can get some help that way,” he said.
McGeorge is also urging anyone with information on the thefts to contact authorities, because, he said, the ability for emergency personnel to communicate properly is absolutely vital.
“If they get out there without ... That’s real bad,” he said.
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