For More Information Contact:
Katie Sproles, 341-1850
Eugene Water & Electric Board

May 13, 2008

Utilities to launch metal theft deterrence program

Several utilities in the Willamette Valley are collaborating with law enforcement to launch a new public awareness and crime reporting program to deter metal thefts. The crimes pose a serious safety, electric reliability and financial threat to the community.

The Wire Watch program will educate citizens about how to recognize the theft or vandalism of utility property, both on the ground and on overhead power lines.

The program urges the public to help fight metal thefts by calling a new Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-800-3-DETECT (1-800-333-8328) with information about crimes that have occurred. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 cash for information leading to the arrest and filing of charges. Anyone witnessing a crime in progress should call 911.

Criminals and drug users have capitalized on the rising prices of copper and other metals in recent years. Utilities, which commonly use copper in wire products, are frequent targets.

A recent spike in wire and other metals thefts makes it more critical that utilities seek help from the public in curbing these crimes.

“Utilities across the southern Willamette Valley have been hard hit by thieves who’ve stripped substations, poles and other facilities of ground wires,” said EWEB Electric Division Director Jim Wiley. “Working together with our neighboring utilities and law enforcement can help combat the problem, but we also need the community to be our eyes as we fight this serious epidemic.”

Metals thefts can affect the health and safety of the general public and utility workers.

“Ground wires are critical to protecting the safety of our customers and employees,” explains Wiley. “When a ground wire is removed, the pole, fence or even the ground can become electrified and extremely dangerous.”

Copper theft can also disrupt power at critical facilities including police, fire and other emergency services. Outages resulting from the theft of copper conductors can also interrupt traffic signals, increasing the potential for accidents and disrupting the local economy.

Utility customers are burdened with the costs of replacing damaged or stolen property. The theft of grounding wire from a single substation can cost $5,000 to $10,000, including materials and labor. Local utilities report spending nearly $750,000 to-date for repairs and replacement materials associated with metal thefts.

Wire Watch was created for use by all public utilities in Lane, Benton, Linn, Lincoln and Douglas counties. These utilities are part of a Metals Theft Task Force that also includes the federal Bonneville Power Administration, Eugene Police Department, cities of Eugene and Springfield, and other local government entities. The task force recently introduced a ground wire color-coding system to deter copper thefts from power substations.