We received several comments on our post over the weekend on copper ground wires missing from local utility poles.
This afternoon Nick told us: “Well, it seems KOMO has picked up on the story. There’s a news truck on 89th.”
And we heard this back from Seattle City Light:
Thieves do steal wire for the copper. Unfortunately, this is not a rare occurrence.
We have a grounding system that keeps locations safe even if copper is removed from a pole by grounding them from pole to pole also. Even so, we want to make repairs to instances like this as soon as possible. Anyone who sees something like this should call us at 684-3000.Scott Thomsen
In addition, our news partner at The Seattle Times have this story about serious injuries to a copper thief outside Enumclaw.
Read this today in the PI:
After a spate of bold copper-wire thefts, including the chainsawing of a utility pole that supported a 45,000-volt transformer, Seattle City Light is making its goods less attractive.
Instead of using pure copper wire, it has begun using copper-coated steel wire, which is harder to cut and has little scrap value.
“Our goal in changing materials is to maintain the reliability of your electricity service and protect public safety,” City Light Superintendent Jorge Carrasco said in a statement Friday.
http://lakecity.komonews.com/news/crime/657934-seattlepicom-seattle-tries-thwart-copper-thieves
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/126848438.html