KXO Radio AM1230 and FM 107.5

FEDEROWICZ WAS ADDRESSING THE BOARD TUESDAY ON THE RECENT THEFTS OF COPPER GROUNDING WIRE FROM SEVERAL SUBSTATIONS IN THE COACHELLA AND IMPERIAL VALLIES. HE SAID THEIR HAVE BEEN TEN SUCH THEFTS IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS, TWO OF WHICH HAVE RESULTED IN POWER OUTAGES, AND ONE HAS RESULTED IN SEVERE DAMAGE AT THE DAHLIA SUBSTATION. FEDEROWICZ SAID MANY DO NOT REALIZE THAT POWER COMPANIES ARE CONSIDERED CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND ARE PROTECTED UNDER THE HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT. HE SAID THAT MEANS THE THEFT OF THE WIRE IS A FEDERAL OFFENSE. THE DEPARTMENT MANAGER SAID HE DID NOT WANT TO REVEAL TOO MUCH, BUT SAID HIS DEPARTMENT IS WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH FEDERAL AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS IN AN EFFORT TO APPREHEND THE THIEVES. HE SAID THE WIRE IS BEING MARKED TO TRACK IT DOWN TO NOT ONLY THE THIEVES, BUT TO THOSE WHO ARE BUYING IT FROM THE THIEVES, ALSO KNOWN AS THE FENCES. FEDEROWICZ SAID THE INVESTIGATIONS ARE PROGRESSING, AND HE FEELS THEY ARE GETTING CLOSE TO CATCHING AT LEAST SOME OF THE CULPRITS. HE SAID THE DAMAGE HAS COST THE DISTRICT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, AND THEY WILL BE DOING WHATEVER POSSIBLE TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE SYSTEM.

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