The City of Red Deer is reminding residents about the serious safety risks and community costs associated with copper theft and is encouraging the public to report any suspicious activity near utility infrastructure.
Copper theft is not just a property crime that can cause power outages, it can also create dangerous situations for the public and City workers. When thieves remove copper wiring from power systems, it can leave live electrical components exposed, which increases the risk of electrical shock or fire.
“Copper theft can turn a simple outage into a life-threatening situation,” said Dalen Everson, EL&P General Foreman. “What might look like a minor wire or cable could still be energized. We’re asking everyone to stay clear of damaged equipment and call it in right away.”
To reduce theft, The City has made several changes to its infrastructure, including replacing grounding cables with copper-clad steel (which has little resale value), adding security lighting, and increasing inspection of high-risk areas.
Despite these efforts, copper theft continues to rise, costing The City thousands of dollars a year. “Unfortunately, the cost to repair or replace the damage caused by thieves far outweighs the value of the copper stolen. While we are doing all we can to make it harder to steal, we’re asking Red Deerians to help be our eyes and ears of the hundreds of electrical assets,” said Everson.
Community awareness and reporting remain the most effective prevention tools. Residents can help by following these steps:
- Familiarize yourself with public utility infrastructure in your area. Learn more at reddeer.ca/coppertheft
- If you see something suspicious underway – report it right away by calling police.
- If something looks damaged, tampered with or has exposed wires, call the Electric Utility department immediately at 403-342-8274. This number is monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Stay far away from any exposed wires, downed cables, or opened utility boxes.
To learn more about recognizing suspicious activity and how to report concerns, visit reddeer.ca/coppertheft .