COLCHESTER, Vt. -
Green Mountain Power says it is concerned about a dangerous trend of thieves targeting power substations.
The company says the criminals could be putting themselves and others at risk for electrocution. GMP says the thieves are breaking into the substations to steal copper wiring.
In the past two-months, GMP says substations in East Barnard, Sharon, Pawlet, and Newfane were targeted.
"What they may not realize is there is no spare copper wire in the substations," says Robert Dostis, GMP spokesman. "When they cut copper wire they are putting themselves at danger for being electrocuted as well as the general public."
Dostis says that includes GMP workers and kids who might wander into a broken into and open substation.
GMP asks people to call police if they see something suspicious. At the same time, they're also looking to beef up security at substations.
GMP is not sure what's behind the increase in thefts or if they are connected. Despite all the danger, GMP says the thieves are walking away with less than a couple hundred bucks in stolen goods.
"The value of the copper comes no where close to the value of the lives that could be affected," says Dostis.
Fixing the thefts can also cause problems. GMP says power might have to be shut down in the area around the substation, though it's something they try to avoid.
