Community Corner

The United Illuminating Company Issues Safety Alert Regarding Copper Theft

Tampering with system puts workers, public in danger

On March 13, we published the story of an arrest on the UI property, see http://is.gd/IS4n0G  Today, the UI sent out the following press release ragarding copper thefts:

The United Illuminating Company, a subsidiary of UIL Holdings Corporation (NYSE: UIL), is asking the public to be on the alert after recent reports of
injury and thefts of copper and other components from overhead electrical systems.

“The overhead lines, whether it’s UI’s or not, carry high voltages of electricity, and any attempt to tamper with it can have fatal consequences,” said Joseph Thomas, UI’s vice president for electric system operations. “The theft of these electricity lines is a serious matter and puts employees, other utility workers and the general public at risk.”

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“Safety is always our first concern at UI. Attempting to steal copper from overhead lines or electrical equipment is very dangerous,” added Anthony J. Vallillo, the utility’s president and chief operating officer. “There is no way to tell if a line is energized without special equipment. The thefts are just not worth the risk.”

Incidents involving copper theft have been reported in a number of communities across the country and in UI territory. In response to the problem, UI has notified employees to be on the lookout for suspicious behavior and to report any signs of theft or tampering.

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The company has also alerted other utilities and contractors who work on poles carrying UI equipment, and is working with police departments and scrap yards within its service territory.

Anyone who sees signs of tampering with the electric system, or notices anything else suspicious or unusual, should first report it to the police department at 203-891-2130 and then call UI’s Customer Care Center at 1-800-7-CALL-UI (1-800-722-5584) — when prompted, press “1” to report a service emergency.

 


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