Copper Thievery: A National Epidemic
In April 2010, Transmission and Distribution World published an article on copper theft with some affordable yet reliable systems that can be put in place to assist catching thieves.
Stealing copper runs parallel with rising copper prices.
Thieves target substations, which “. . . are threatening U.S. critical infrastructure . . . [and] disrupts the flow of electricity . . . and presents a risk to both public safety and national security,” A recent FBI Criminal Intelligence Assessment reports. (Transmission and Distribution World, April 2010).
Thieves also target construction sites, vacant buildings, communication towers, and foreclosed properties.
Stand-alone video systems are now being used to prevent and apprehend thieves in construction sites, vacant homes and commercial property, substations, cell towers, and foreclosed properties. These affordable, wireless, portable systems can provide instant video alerts of intrusions and sends signals directly to the central monitoring station for possible dispatch.
