Following a break-in attempt at the Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) pole yard in Richford on Tuesday night, VEC officials observed suspicious activity at the Jay Tap substation in the early morning hours on Thursday. Caught on camera, a video reveals two individuals scoping the perimeter of the substation, although they did not enter the facility which houses high voltage electric equipment. Both incidents were reported promptly to local law enforcement officials.
This is believed to be part of a growing nationwide trend in which people steal copper from electric utility facilities in order to resell it. ‘This type of copper theft is extremely dangerous,’ emphasized VEC’s safety manager, Les Burns. ‘Not only do perpetrators put themselves at risk of being electrocuted, this type of activity also puts utility workers and the general public at risk for injury and power outages.’
VEC facilities are outfitted with a variety of security features including surveillance cameras. VEC operations staff will be closely monitoring all substations. The public is asked to immediately report any signs of suspicious activity on VEC property to local law enforcement officials first, and then to VEC at1-800-832-2667.
VEC 2.16.2012
Suspicious activity at Vermont Electric Co-op substation
Submitted by tim
on