News Archive Article

Hydro One partners with Crime Stoppers to reduce metal theft

TORONTO, ONTARIO - To combat a huge increase in metal theft, Hydro One and Crime Stoppers have joined forces to curb the crime wave. Copper conductor is used by the company on its power lines and at its transformer/distribution stations across the province.

Hydro One is contributing $10,000 to Crime Stoppers to help raise awareness of the impact of this type of crime, and ways the public can help identify those who engage in this unsafe and illegal activity.

Hydro One estimates copper theft has increased for the utility by approximately 1,150 per cent from 2005 to 2006 and cost the company about $1 million. According to numerous Ontario policing agencies, copper theft has become one of the fastest growing forms of crime in the Province of Ontario.

In power lines copper wire is used as a conductor for electricity.

Contact with an energized power line can result in serious injury or death from electrocution.

"This is becoming a very serious problem," said Chris Price, Hydro One's Director of Security. "These thefts threaten the safety of the general public and Hydro One staff and could negatively impact electricity reliability. We expect our partnership with Crime Stoppers, and working closely with local law enforcement will help reduce this criminal activity."

Price explained that the benefits of partnering with Crime Stoppers include the option of anonymity when reporting incidents, and rewards for providing information leading to arrests. "We believe that the partnership will increase identification of metal thieves, and those paying for stolen metal." He added that Hydro One continues to undertake investigations of copper/metal thefts, and has invested in improved security systems.

Pat Gillie, President of the Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers emphasized that for citizens who fear reprisal or are reluctant to get involved, Crime Stoppers is an option for reporting information about this dangerous theft. "Calling 1-800-222-TIPS is all it takes," she explained.

Related News

fast-charging stations planned in N.B.

10 new electric vehicle fast-charging stations planned on Trans-Canada in N.B.

FREDERICTION - Motorists in New Brunswick will see 10 new fast-charging stations installed this year along the Trans-Canada Highway as the result of a partnership between the federal government and NB Power.

Fisheries and Oceans Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced $335,000 to build the new station and said it was to help address "range anxiety."

"Some Canadians are hesitant to buy these cleaner vehicles because they fear that the infrastructure is not there to support their choice to drive an electric vehicle," he said. "It's a fair point in a province where there's a high percentage of rural residents."

In partnering with NB Power and utilities elsewhere…

READ MORE
The Nalcor Energy Lower Churchill Project Soldiers Pond site

Financial update from N.L energy corp. reflects pandemic's impact

READ MORE

power lines

Buyer's Remorse: Questions about grid modernization affordability

READ MORE

global electricity demand

Surging electricity demand is putting power systems under strain around the world

READ MORE

company-becomes-uk-second-largest-electricity-operator

Company Becomes UK's Second-Largest Electricity Operator

READ MORE