In addition to the traditional backhoe threat, as the price of copper increased so has the threat of people stealing telephone trunk cables containing copper wire. http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_4021500 Since Jan. 1, there have been 148 reports of copper wire theft in San Bernardino County, said sheriff's spokeswoman Jodi Miller. [...] Per pound, the metal has risen in price from about 70 cents in July 2001 to $3.60 this month, according to Kitco Inc., an international retailer of precious metals. [...] Anyone with information on the Verizon theft may call the Verizon Security Control Center, 1-800-997-3287. For the AT&T thefts, people may call security at (213) 633-2558 or (213) 633-2405. People with information on copper thefts may also contact their local law enforcement agencies.