In a bizarre turn of events, radio station WJLX in the American state of Alabama was forced into silence after robbers took away its 200-foot-tall radio tower and other vital broadcasting equipment. The incident, which baffled police officers and local authorities alike, occurred behind the Ma Jack chicken processing plant in Jasper, Alabama.
The discovery was made when landscaping crews tasked with spring cleaning the area arrived on the scene Friday morning and noticed the towering structure was gone. WJLX general manager Brett Elmore told NBC News he was in disbelief when he received the news. “What do you mean the tower is gone? Are you really in the right place?” he cried.
However, the theft was not limited to the radio tower itself. The thieves also reportedly destroyed a nearby building, leaving wires strewn on the ground and causing significant damage. All essential equipment for broadcasting, including transmitters, was removed from the premises, leaving the station in chaos.
Jasper Mayor David O'Malley expressed concern over the incident, highlighting the lack of information preventing a thorough investigation. Despite law enforcement efforts, including meetings with the station owner and investigators, key details about the theft remain unresolved.
“I've been in radio all my life, and I've been in radio professionally for 26 years, and I can tell you that I've never heard anything like this,” he told Fox affiliate WBRC. he said.
The impact of theft extends beyond the station itself. WJLX was forced to issue a silence notice to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and seek interim authority to continue broadcasting on FM radio. Unfortunately, their request was denied, further complicating efforts to stay on the air.
Mr. Elmore also informed the media that, unfortunately, the site is not covered by insurance. Despite being a small market station, he emphasized its recovery efforts.
Elmore detailed that the tower is located in a heavily wooded area, AL.com reported. “You should know it's there. It's hard to get to, there's only one way in and one way out. It's a dead end road.”
According to ABC affiliate WBMA-DT, Townsquare Media Market President David DuBose emphasized that the company has strict security measures in place at its facilities. He said all areas are fenced, gated and have no-trespassing signs in place. Additionally, motion-detecting cameras are installed to alert personnel if there is movement.
Alabama Broadcasting Association President Sharon Tinsley expressed concern about the tower's disappearance, WBMA-DT reported. Tinsley highlighted the potential public safety implications and questioned what would happen if a crisis occurred that required critical information from local radio stations. She stressed the urgency of the situation and reached out to individuals in hopes of gathering support to assist WJLX in replacing the stolen equipment.
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact Jasper Police at 205-221-2121.
