Turlock Residents Frustrated Over Fiber Optic Installation Damage

City officials vow to increase oversight after dozens of complaints about property damage and poor restoration.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 4:23am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A highly detailed, tangible 3D macro illustration of glowing fiber optic cables and network infrastructure components, illuminated by vibrant neon cyan and magenta lights, conceptually representing the physical technology behind the internet upgrade project causing disruption in the city of Turlock.Glowing fiber optic cables and network hardware symbolize the technological progress driving infrastructure upgrades, even as they disrupt local communities.Today in Sacramento

Turlock city officials are responding to a rise in complaints from residents about property damage and other issues caused by ongoing fiber optic installation work by Race Communications. Neighbors have reported damage, graffiti, and poor restoration of their properties, leading the city to ramp up oversight of the project. Officials say the work could be suspended if compliance doesn't improve, but they hope to resolve the problems.

Why it matters

The fiber optic installation project aims to improve internet access for Turlock homes and businesses, but the disruption and damage to private property has sparked significant frustration in the community. This highlights the challenges cities face in balancing infrastructure upgrades with minimizing impacts on residents.

The details

At a recent city council meeting, residents voiced concerns about property damage, graffiti, and lack of notice from the fiber optic installation work. The city's director of municipal services, Christopher Fisher, explained that workers are required to mark all existing utilities before digging, and the graffiti markings are meant to protect those utilities, though they will be cleaned up at the end of the process. Fisher acknowledged the unacceptable state of some properties after the work and said the city will address issues with the contractor. Race Communications, the company doing the installation, said it understands the disruption and is working to complete restoration work as quickly as possible in the areas where it has fallen behind.

  • On March 24, residents raised concerns about the fiber optic installation work at a city council meeting.
  • The city says there have been dozens of complaints about the project in recent months.

The players

Turlock

The city in California where the fiber optic installation work is taking place and where residents have lodged complaints.

Race Communications

The company responsible for the fiber optic installation work in Turlock, which has acknowledged restoration has not been completed as quickly as expected in some areas.

Christopher Fisher

The director of municipal services for the city of Turlock, who explained the city's approach to addressing the concerns about the fiber optic installation work.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I've seen the work what they've done already, it's a joke.”

— Turlock Resident

“And two people have already been on my property, graffiti all over my sidewalk and my yard. It's graffiti, so I'd like to make a citizens arrest on those two.”

— Turlock Resident

“As far as the graffiti, I mean, that is part of the work, and that's really meant to protect the existing utilities and minimize any other potential impacts conflicting with those utilities and they'll be cleaned up at the end of the process.”

— Christopher Fisher, Director of Municipal Services, City of Turlock

“It's unacceptable to leave trash or leave a property in a state worse than it was before they arrived. We will address those with like any contractor that works within the city.”

— Christopher Fisher, Director of Municipal Services, City of Turlock

“We understand that construction work can be disruptive, and we appreciate the community's patience as Race Communications expands access to 100% fiber internet for residents and businesses in partnership with the City of Turlock.”

— Race Communications

What’s next

The city says the fiber optic installation work could be suspended if compliance with restoration and property damage issues does not improve, but officials are hoping to resolve the problems without having to take that step.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the challenges cities face in balancing infrastructure upgrades with minimizing disruption and damage to private property. While the fiber optic project aims to improve internet access, the execution has sparked significant frustration among Turlock residents, prompting the city to increase oversight to ensure better compliance from the contractor.