Grays Harbor PUD issues warning concerning safety amid growing wire thefts

GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY, Wash. — Grays Harbor PUD has issued a warning saying “someone is going to be hurt or killed,” as the utility is experiencing a surge in wire and material thefts.

“The voltage these thieves are risking coming into contact with is more than enough to do serious harm,” says PUD Safety and Environmental Director Ben Bouch. “If this continues, someone is going to get themselves killed or seriously injured.”

While copper wire thefts are not new, officials with the utility said the number of thefts over the past two months are far higher than what would be considered normal.

According to a release from Grays Harbor PUD, more than two dozen power poles in Aberdeen and Hoquiam have had the protective covers cut off and the grounding wires cut out.

A thief also was captured after breaking into and stealing copper wire from the Cherry Street warehouse yard, utility officials said.

Someone also broke into a building and damaged a power meter, hoping to get to wiring below the meter’s base plate.

The utility said someone damaged a substation and threw a chain over one of the station wires, which caused a 7,500 amp surge.

“All of these cases impact the service the PUD provides to our customers, and costs the utility time and money to make repairs and replace stolen equipment,” said PUD Operations Director Jake Carter. “But more importantly, the energy that these individuals are getting close to will kill or injure them. It’s not a question of if, but when, that happens.”

Anyone who witnesses a theft or the vandalism of a utility facility or materials is asked to report the incident by calling 911.

©2022 Cox Media Group