Copper Wire Stolen From W.A.P.A. Streetlights On St. Croix

ST. CROIX — Once again copper thieves have vandalized street lights on the western end of St. Croix leaving motorists and pedestrians at risk and causing the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority to make costly repairs to restore service, W.A.P.A. said in a press release issued this afternoon. Last December, copper thieves broke into the conduit along a 200ft run on the Melvin Evans Highway between Williams Delight and Carlton, and made off with over 600 feet of wire from the highway’s street lighting system.

According to the release, a few days ago, W.A.P.A. was notified that a string of street lights along the western lane of St. Croix’s Melvin Evans Highway, between William’s Delight and Estate Carlton, had been vandalized. The thieves broke into the conduit along a 150-foot run and made off with over 300 feet of wire from the highway’s street lighting system.

“This is extremely costly to the Authority, and presents a hazard to motorists who travel on the highway at night,” said Julio Rhymer, Sr., WAPA’s interim chief executive officer, adding that the cost of these repairs must ultimately be passed on to W.A.P.A. customers.

The damage to the riser pole conduit, cables and locks by those persons seeking money for metal not only makes navigating the area hazardous for motorists and potential pedestrians, but it forces the Authority to now search for internal funds to replace the damaged installations. “This is an ongoing costly problem we face,” Mr. Rhymer said, “Our crews and contractors are making emergency repairs, which are to date about 75% completed, and until the work is finalized, the area will remain without adequate lighting.”  

The Virgin Islands Police Department is investigating this recent theft from the highway’s street light system. Any person arrested in connection with vandalizing any part of the authority’s infrastructure will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, according to W.A.P.A. Cutting and stealing power lines is a criminal act that carries very stiff consequences, which can include loss of limbs or life from electrocution. It is extremely dangerous.

W.A.P.A. is asking anyone with information about the theft of copper wire from WAPA facilities should report what they know to the VIPD, or to WAPA’s Internal Audit Revenue Assurance Division at 340-715-6563 or by email to: [email protected].  All information submitted about this latest assault of WAPA’s electrical infrastructure will be held in strictest confidence.

Feature Image: Destruction and vandalism of WAPA infrastructure on St. Croix’s west end.

Image Credit: W.A.P.A.