Thousands Of Optimum Customers Without Internet & TV Service, Police Say Stop Calling 911 To Report It

OSSINING, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) – Thousands of Optimum customers were left without cable, internet, and phone service Friday throughout the Tri-state area.

The company reported a widespread outage that included parts of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Optimum's outage map captured the extent of the problem Friday night – leaving customers in New York City, Long Island, Westchester County, and throughout Connecticut without online access.

Many police departments are sending text alerts to residents, keeping them up to speed on the outages.

Although life without a phone and internet may be unimaginable to some, authorities say affected customers have been calling without a "real" crisis.

Ossining police posted on Facebook "please don't tie up our lines to ask when your TV will come back on. We need those free for actual emergencies."

Police added some suggestions on how to pass the time including reading, baking, or possibly a fun game of Uno.

Many residents in the Tri-state area were still finding other things to do this weekend as service was still out in many areas Saturday night. Optimum blamed the widespread weekend outage on a power failure.

As of 8 p.m. on Saturday, people in the five boroughs, New Jersey, and Connecticut were still reporting no internet or cable service.