Tombigbee Electric Co-op asks for help in deterring copper theft

HAMILTON – Tombigbee Electric Cooperative is asking for the public’s help in deterring the theft of copper wires from power lines and warning of the potentially deadly consequences the act can pose to thieves.

Thieves stripped copper wires from Tombigbee Electric power lines at least twice in recent weeks, causing thousands of dollars in damages and compromising service reliability for families and businesses, the co-op said.

The member-owned utility serves about 10,000 homes and businesses in Marion and Lamar counties.

“We were hit in both counties and lost several miles of copper wire,” Tombigbee President/CEO Britton Lightsey said. “This costs the cooperative not only in lost wire but also in the many man-hours needed to replace the wires and repair the damage.

“All totaled, these thefts have cost Tombigbee close to $200,000 – costs that ultimately are borne by our members.”

Tombigbee Electric is working with the sheriff’s offices in Marion and Lamar counties to identify the thieves, Lightsey said. He urged anyone with information about the thefts to contact their sheriff’s office.

The co-op also posted an announcement on its Tombigbee Cooperative Facebook page asking its members for help.

“If you see any suspicious activity (especially if you have cameras that catch the activity), please contact us by either sending us a private message or calling our office at 205-921-6712. All information received will be confidential,” the Facebook post said.

In recent months, thieves also targeted other electric providers in North Alabama and east Mississippi. Thieves typically sell the copper as scrap metal, Lightsey said.

To address a growing problem of copper thefts, the Alabama Legislature passed a law in 2012 to crack down on the sale of stolen metals. The law requires that sellers of scrap metals be photographed, provide personal identification and give information to identify their vehicles. The law also increased penalties for metal thefts.  

“This is a massive concern for multiple reasons, not just costs,” Lightsey said. “These thefts put at risk the reliability of the electric service we provide our co-op members, and the high-voltage power lines can be deadly to those who tamper with them.”