Newfoundland Power says it will pay $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for an act of vandalism at its substation located in the Placentia area.
On Sunday it was discovered that vandals had broken into this high-voltage substation by cutting a hole in the security fence surrounding the facility to remove ground wire, which is critical to the reliability and safety of the electricity system.
"Vandals put our employees, the public and themselves at great risk by breaking into a substation and tampering with electrical equipment," said Gary Smith, vice-president, Engineering and Operations, Newfoundland Power Inc.
"This type of senseless activity can lead to serious injury, or death, in addition to impacting public safety, system reliability and customer service."
Newfoundland Power said the stolen wire has little value in the recycled market but the cost of the repair to Newfoundland Power will be significant.
"These incidents are extremely disturbing and we cannot understand why individuals would put their lives, and the lives of our employees and the general public, in danger," Smith said. "Acts of vandalism, such as this one, not only leave our electricity system vulnerable, but create accessibility to our high- voltage substation yards. This should be of particular concern for individuals with young children living in the area. It is unacceptable and we want to put a stop to it before someone is badly injured, or possibly killed. Individuals should never enter a substation or tamper with electrical equipment."
Individuals with information regarding this incident, or any act of theft or vandalism to electrical equipment, are encouraged to contact their local Royal Canadian Mounted Police or Royal Newfoundland Constabulary detachments.
Reward offered for information leading to arrest in case of theft, damage at Newfoundland Power substation
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Published on
November 16, 2009
- Published on June 30, 2010
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Staff ~ The Telegram
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