Would not pay either. I think our Bell company (Qwest, formerly Northwestern Bell) is fully responsible for the wiring on the outside of the home.
That's kinda correct. They are responsible for the wiring up to and including the box that is attached to your home. This is called the "point of demarcation" or "demarc" for short. This is the box the article advises you to lock up. Unless you can prove (via video or similar) that someone attached to your cable beyond the demarc, they will assume that the calls originated within your house wiring and therefore is your responsibility.
They MIGHT come to some agreement, especially in this case where it is happening to several businesses/churches/residences around town. But they are will first assume you are trying to be a weasel.
The easy thing is to block everything you don't intend to use.
Bingo, you just tell them that the theft of services occurring on their lines is their problem. Especially since there are police reports as to the method and nature of the crime.