DALLAS--(Business Wire)--
Copper theft is a community problem that is continuing to grow.
Thieves have stolen air conditioners out of churches, equipment of out
schools and wiring out of streetlights. Oncor, with its miles of
distribution and transmission lines, is also a target for these
thieves.
In the middle of the night on Feb. 7, two thieves stole more than
240 feet of copper wire worth more than $35,000 from a local Dallas
business. These thieves risked their lives, inconvenienced the
business owner and created additional costs for every ratepayer.
"Oncor is committed to the safety of our system and to the safety
of the communities that we serve," said Debbie Dennis, Oncor Vice
President of Dallas Customer Operations. "Oncor is working with
community leaders, business owners and the Dallas Police Department to
find a way to put an end to these crimes."
Oncor is also working with the North Texas Crime Stoppers to find
the thieves. Oncor is offering $1,000 reward per suspect, while Crime
Stoppers is offering an additional reward up to $1,000 per suspect.
Both rewards will be given for the arrest and conviction of the
thieves.
The safety of everyone involved is a huge issue. While Oncor
monitors the safety of its substations and switchyards, when
protective ground wires are stolen from them, anyone that comes in
contact with them may be shocked or injured. Oncor urges consumers to
leave the area and call 9-1-1 if an immediate danger is seen, such as
a downed power line or exposed wire. If a crime in progress is seen,
do not attempt to confront the thieves. Call 9-1-1 and let the police
handle it.
Oncor is taking various steps to reduce the number of copper wire
thefts. For example, Oncor is currently installing nanotechnology on
its equipment to protect its system. The technology, which is
invisible to the eye, marks Oncor equipment and particularly copper
wire so that it can be identified after it has been stolen. Oncor also
worked during the last legislative session to support changes to the
law that would make it harder to sell the copper. These changes when
implemented should help to act as a deterrent to copper theft.
Oncor is continually looking for new deterrents to further prevent
these crimes and ways to help convict those who commit them. If you
have any information dealing with these crimes please call, the North
Texas Crime Stoppers at 1-877-373-8477.
Oncor is a regulated electric distribution and transmission
business that uses superior asset management skills to provide
reliable electricity delivery to consumers. Oncor operates the largest
distribution and transmission system in Texas, providing power to
three million electric delivery points over more than 101,000 miles of
distribution and 14,000 miles of transmission lines. While Oncor is a
subsidiary of EFH, Oncor reports to a separate and independent board.
Oncor
Jeamy Molina, 972-791-6200
Copyright Business Wire 2008
