Date:  Monday, February 12, 2007

Contact: Alice Fiman, WSDOT Communications (360) 705-7080

OLYMPIA – Copper Wire and other valuable metals are being stolen in plain view along the highway and from construction sites prompting WSDOT and the Washington State Patrol to launch a new web site encouraging drivers to help catch these brazen thieves. As scrap metal prices increase, thieves are taking more risks, stealing wires and other metals from state facilities. 

Metal and copper wire theft is not just an issue for WSDOT’s bottom line, it’s a safety issue. Traffic signals and overhead street lights are going dark due to thieves stealing directly from the circuit boxes out on the highway. Thieves are risking the lives of drivers and construction workers, as the damage may not be noticed until the traffic light goes dark or someone unknowingly contacts a live circuit. 

WSDOT needs your help. We are asking the public to keep their eyes and ears open for any suspicious or odd looking work zones. WSDOT crews and contractors’ trucks and equipment are clearly identifiable with logos. Work zones are clearly signed. Drivers should see a sign telling them a work zone is set up ahead.  

To report a crime in progress, please call 9-1-1. WSDOT, in partnership with WSP, has also established a web site:  www.wsdot.wa.gov/maintenance/material where citizens can report suspicious activity. 

State maintenance crews report an increase in metal theft over the past six months, with a recent thief attempting to steal copper wire from a circuit box along SR 167 near Kent. Luckily, WSDOT contract crews reported the theft as it was occurring and the thief was apprehended and charged. Our most recent theft occurred last Friday on US 2 near Monroe. 

To date, copper wire valued at more than $100,000 has been stolen from state-owned street lights, signals and storage yards. Thieves also are stealing aluminum and steel.  

WSDOT and WSP are taking a pro-active approach, moving more materials to secured covered storage, adjusting security cameras at some of the storage yards and paying close attention to “construction” work alongside the roadway that might be suspicious. 

The crime does cost taxpayers as WSDOT is self-insured.  There is no insurance company to file a claim with, so all losses are replaced using tax dollars.

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