The difference is that your average crackhead/tweaker copper thief knows a sketchy scrap yard that will pay them a discounted rate for the copper cable and not ask any questions. It’s unlikely they know where to unload stole fiber optic cable.

The sign is less to discourage theft than to prevent damage by copper thieves who are unaware of the difference and attempt to steal the cable.

It’s incredible. The judgmental douchebag inside of me that wants to scoff at you for this, despite the fact that I did the exact same thing. Don’t really know why I’m sharing, just felt like I needed to tell on myself and hope I’m not the only occasionally insecure snob around here.