Gary Smith, Vice President of Customer Operations and Engineering for Newfoundland Power calls the incident particularly alarming. “This action was deliberate and taken without any regard for the consequences,” Smith says.
Vandalism not only compromises the electricity system, it creates a serious safety risk for Newfoundland Power employees, contractors and the vandals themselves.
“Our customers rely on us to deliver safe, reliable service, 24 hours every day,” says Smith. “Besides the power outage in the middle of a winter storm, the environmental impact and the cost, our primary concern is safety.”
Newfoundland Power will pay $5,000 to any individual for the information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person, or persons, responsible for this crime.
Anyone with information regarding this incident, or any act of theft or vandalism to electrical equipment, is encouraged to contact their local Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary detachment or Crime Stoppers.