Oct. 12, 2005
 
UPLAND NEWS BRIEFS: Frontier Communications Sustaining Large Losses in Switch Box Break-ins; Bluefield, WV Anti Loitering Law Tabled
 
Compiled By William Paine
Bluefield News Network Writer
 
Bluefield, WV (BNN) -- Since June 27, 2005, thieves have broken into 12 different switch boxes belonging to Frontier Communications and stolen nearly half a million dollars worth of electronics equipment in Bluefield and Princeton.
 
The thieves break into these switch boxes and steal electronic cards that provide dial tones and high speed internet service to customers, effectively disrupting service in the area of the theft. The most recent incidents occurred on Sept. 29 and Oct. 4, 2005.
 
Frontier is asking the public to watch for suspicious individuals, not in company uniforms, standing around utility poles and switch boxes. Frontier is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information directly leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for these crimes.
 
Law School Grad Says Bluefield’s Anti Loitering Law Conflicts with First Amendment
 
Bluefield, WV (BNN) -- Just as Bluefield West Virginia’s city board was about to pass a tough new anti loitering ordinance, recent law school graduate Michelle Waller addressed the board saying new measure was so broad in scope as to be in conflict with the First Amendment of the Constitution. As worded, the Loitering Prohibition would make it unlawful to act in a suspicious or annoying manner in a public setting. Waller told the board that this could be easily challenged in court.
 
Three citizens in the audience expressed support for the loitering prohibition but board member Jim Bailey expressed some reservations. “If We’re going to pass an ordinance that won’t pass scrutiny in the next level of the judicial system then I think we’re shooting ourselves in the foot and we’ll look like fools,” he said.
 
The Loitering Prohibition was tabled but will be revised and voted on at the first board meeting in November.