Utilities Expressing Mutual Concern With Risky Acts of Vandalism

They may be conflicted over rate increases, but not when it comes to safety.

The province’s two major utilities are expressing concern with the recent rash of criminal activity at its high-voltage facilities across the province.

In a joint public warning this week, both Newfoundland Power and NL Hydro said recent break-ins and thefts are tragedies waiting to happen.

And not just for the thieves, but the workers and contractors who show up after the fact.

Such brazen and risky robberies are not a new thing, but they are becoming, in the words of the utilities, “an alarming trend.”

Their warning comes in the wake of a recent break-in at the western Avalon terminal station in Chapel Arm.

It involved the theft of copper grounding wire needed to reduce the risk of shock from the high-voltage equipment it’s connected to.

(Damage at the Bell Aliant substation in Clarke’s Beach.)

The RCMP is investigating that crime, as well as damage at Bell Aliant substation in Clarke’s Beach.

They say one or more people broke into the site Tuesday night, copper wire was stolen and the caused about $10,000 in damage.

Police, and the utilities, are hoping someone will either fess up or give up the guilty parties.

(Damage at the Bell Aliant substation in Clarke’s Beach.)