News Releases

Copper Thieves Gambling with Their Lives

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 25, 2006

Contact Greg Brooks, 770/266-2307

MONROE, Ga. – With the price of salvage copper soaring, electrical wire has become what some thieves perceive as easy pickings. But if they pick the wrong wire, it could cost them their life.

“We’ve had several recent instances of wire theft from new subdivisions,” says Hosie Stephen, Walton EMC line crew supervisor. “The thieves come in after dark to new developments where there are no homes and steal our underground cable.”

If a copper thief chooses an energized wire, the results could be deadly. “Anyone who cuts into an energized power line will probably be electrocuted,” says Loss Control Director Larry Thompson.

“The only people working on our transformers or other equipment in new subdivisions should be our crews or those of our contractor, Pike Electric,” continues Stephen. “If you see anyone else around our facilities or suspiciously eyeing them, please call local law enforcement.”

Walton EMC vehicles are white and display the company logo in green. Pike vehicles are yellow and display their logo on a white circular background.

Utility cable theft is not a victimless crime. Ratepayers end up footing the bill for replacing and repairing the damage left by a wire thief, which usually totals in the hundreds of dollars. Extreme cases could run into thousands.

Many times the surprise is on the thief when the wire they steal isn’t copper. “They’ve put out a lot of effort and risked their life for a piece of aluminum,” says Stephen.

Walton EMC is a customer-owned power company that serves 115,000 accounts over its ten-county service area between Atlanta and Athens.

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