The surge in copper prices has led to an increase in the theft of copper wire from a variety of locations, and one of those highly desirable targets? Electrical systems of all kinds, including electrical boxes found in multifamily residential communities.
Copper is an essential component in electrical distribution lines and substations and is used for grounding equipment and protecting it from electrical surges and lightning. Thieves often target power poles, substations, and other electrical facilities, which can cause extensive damage and lead to costly repairs. For example, a theft at an Oklahoma electric co-op resulted in a $1 million repair bill after a fire destroyed essential equipment, leading to a temporary power outage for over 3,500 members.
These kinds of thefts are not only costly but extremely dangerous. Thieves risk electrocution and serious injury, and there have been reports of fatalities across various states, including New Mexico and Texas, where individuals have died while attempting to steal copper wire from live transformers or power lines.
But stealing the valuable metals inside electrical boxes isn’t the only reason residents and trespassers may tamper with electrical boxes or other power infrastructure at your property. There’s also the risk of criminal theft of power- which involves unauthorized individuals tapping into electrical systems to use electricity without paying for it. Common methods include meter tampering and illegal connections to power lines. This type of theft can lead to increased costs for honest consumers, compromise the integrity of electrical infrastructure, and result in power outages and voltage fluctuations. It also poses serious hazards like fires and electrocution, endangering both the thieves and nearby residents.
At approximately 3:45 am, Stealth security professionals were alerted to suspicious activity near one of the electrical boxes onsite at an Arizona multifamily residential community. A closer look at surveillance feeds revealed a trio of individuals who appeared to be tampering with the box. Observing monitoring operators immediately contacted local police dispatchers due to the nature of the activity being observed, and responding officers arrived onsite quickly. Two of the three individuals appeared to leave the area upon the arrival of the police, while the third was taken into police custody without further incident.
Help Enhance Security Measures for Electrical Box Safety at Your Property with Proactive Solutions
Electrical infrastructure security presents serious community safety challenges. Both theft and vandalism of electrical boxes not only pose risks of fire, electrocution, or fatality, but also wider liability, crime, and economic issues. Knowing this, innovative and proactive security solutions to protect electrical infrastructure, as well as other areas of your property, are necessary to help reduce risks of theft and injury.
A solution that checks the boxes for innovation and proactive security? Stealth’s live video monitoring and surveillance. Our cost-effective, cutting-edge system aims not just to deter crime but help prevent it through early intervention. With advanced analytics and human expertise working in tandem, threats can potentially be identified and often mitigated before escalating.
At the core of this approach is matching advanced surveillance technology with extensive security operator training. Together, human intelligence guides analysis of activities, rather than just motion, enabling a focused and effective monitoring process.
The goal is to enable a rapid and appropriate response. With real-time insights and collaborative relationships with local law enforcement, security operators can help ensure situations warranting immediate assistance are prioritized for community well-being.
Customizable solutions are available that can enhance community safety while providing significant savings over traditional measures. If you’re interested in learning more about how modern video surveillance can protect shared infrastructure with compassion, contact us today, and speak with one of our local multifamily residential security experts for a no-obligation quote.
Texas Private Security License Number: B14187
California Alarm Operator License Number: ACO7876
Florida Alarm System Contractor I License Number: EF20001598
Tennessee Alarm Contracting Company License Number: 2294
Virginia Private Security Services Business License Number: 11-19499
Alabama Electronic Security License # 002116
Canada TSBC License: LEL0200704
