What You Can Do To Help Prevent Copper Theft

Date: 11/10/2008
Number of Views: 161

COPPER THEFT

PREVENTION AND AWARENESS

An increase in theft of copper piping, wiring, and other components from construction sites, utilities, homes, schools and churches has created serious safety and economic challenges for builders, electric utilities, property owners and the general public.  Tampering with electricity is extremely dangerous when done without proper training and tools, and it places the perpetrator and others in harm’s way. Metal theft poses serious safety, reliability and financial threats to the community.

What perpetrators are looking for:

·       New wiring, piping at construction sites

·       Wiring (including high-voltage), piping in unsecured buildings, electrical facilities, streetlamps, traffic signals, etc.

·       Gutters, downspouts, lightning conductors and other roof components

·       Copper coils in air conditioners and HVAC units

·       Outdoor sculptures

What you can do:

·       Be alert for suspicious behavior and activity near:

o  Abandoned or unoccupied dwellings

o  Power poles

o  Telephone poles

o  Cell phone towers

o  Electrical, plumbing or air conditioning contracting facilities

o  Electrical distribution systems (substations)

·       Report any suspicious activities and persons to the Westerville Division of Police at 882-7444