Communications company Flow says recurring incidents of theft and vandalism of its copper cable infrastructure in Santa Cruz and surrounding areas are responsible for persistent internet outages affecting customers in those communities.

“Over the last few months, the general community of Santa Cruz in St Elizabeth, has been impacted by several incidents of theft and vandalism,” Flow told OBSERVER ONLINE.

The company was responding to an OBSERVER ONLINE article on how the internet woes have left students and staff at the Park Mountain Primary School, just west of Santa Cruz, at a disadvantage as teachers and school administrators are struggling to meet online needs.

READ: Internet woes hampering St Elizabeth primary school

According to Flow, within the last three months, there have been at least five incidents of theft/vandalism of cable infrastructure in Park Mountain.

“Vandalized copper cables were replaced at the Park Mountain Primary School on August 28, 2022. The newly replaced cables were burnt on October 18 after they came in contact with commercial electricity cables. These cables were replaced but were again vandalized on October 23,” the company said.

Flow said its technicians are now exploring alternative options for providing internet service to the school and other customers within the community during the month of November.

It added that Santa Cruz and other communities in the parish are earmarked for fibre-fast technology within the next three years.

“Even as Flow continues to work with all stakeholders to act strongly and swiftly to take the necessary actions to deter criminal elements, we are also appealing to members of the public to call the police at 119 or our hotline at 876-922-HELP (4357) if they see someone engaged in vandalism, theft, arson or any other such activities that can potentially cause disruptions in service to residents and businesses,” the company appealed.