Verizon Offers $25,000 Reward to Combat Network Vandalism, Protecting Texas and National Infrastructure

In response to a recent surge in fiber cable vandalism that has disrupted services for thousands of customers, Verizon has announced a $25,000 reward program aimed at safeguarding critical communications infrastructure. The initiative, unveiled on August 12, 2026, offers a financial incentive for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of individuals responsible for intentionally damaging network equipment. This move underscores the growing threat that network vandalism poses to public safety, emergency services, and the economy, particularly in states like Texas and California.

Over the past several days, vandals have cut multiple fiber cables in Los Angeles and parts of Southern California, causing significant service interruptions. These acts, which Verizon describes as criminal and dangerous, not only disrupt connectivity for consumers but also jeopardize the reliability of emergency services and healthcare systems that depend on seamless communication. Vandana Venkatesh, Verizon’s chief legal officer, emphasized the severity of these actions, stating, "These are criminal acts, affecting people’s safety and are putting lives at risk. We are actively investigating several recent incidents and are pursuing all avenues to assist law enforcement in finding and convicting the perpetrators."

According to industry data, California and Texas account for more than half of all reported network vandalism incidents in the nation. California has been hit hardest, with 6,297 attacks in 2025, including 1,131 in Los Angeles alone. The economic impact of these outages is staggering, with California suffering the largest losses at $252.6 million. This trend highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and the urgent need for proactive measures to deter such criminal activity.

Verizon's reward program is part of a broader effort to protect America's infrastructure. Joe Russo, EVP & President of Global Networks and Technology, stressed the importance of reliable connectivity, saying, "Across the country, people rely on us for critical connectivity 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our network and security teams are working with law enforcement at all levels in tracking down the perpetrators and bringing these egregious acts to an end. This must stop because our communities should not be put at risk by thieves who vandalize or steal cables."

The company is offering rewards of $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals who intentionally damage Verizon equipment. Witnesses of such vandalism are urged to call 911 and then contact Verizon's Security department at 1-800-997-3287. This proactive approach aims to engage the public in protecting vital network infrastructure, which is essential for economic growth and public safety in Texas and across the nation.

The announcement comes as Verizon continues to invest heavily in network resilience and security. With a revenue of $138.2 billion in 2025 and a commitment to serving customers worldwide, the company is taking a firm stance against vandalism that threatens connectivity. For more information about Verizon's efforts, visit [verizon.com](https://verizon.com) or [verizon.com/news](https://verizon.com/news).