Date:  Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Contact:  Kelly Stowe, WSDOT Communications, (360) 480-3648

TACOMA – Street lights are dark and an electronic messaging sign is running on gas power following the latest in a disturbing string of copper wire thefts along the State Route 16 corridor.

Over the weekend, thieves removed 900 feet of wire – the equivalent length of three football fields – from a location that was targeted just two weeks ago. That time, about 130 feet of wire was taken. In each instance, the overhead sign at Center Street used during Amber Alerts and to advise drivers during traffic incidents lost power.

Crews are out replacing wire today.

“This is a significant problem for our agency, for drivers and for taxpayers,” said Olympic Region Administrator Kevin Dayton. “Our financial resources and maintenance staff are being stretched to the limit by the frequency of these crimes.”

Pierce County has been hit especially hard in recent months and statewide losses from wire theft since December 2006 are approaching a half-million dollars. This amount includes labor and materials and replacement costs come from the state’s already diminished maintenance budget.

The wire, according to Washington State Patrol, is often sold to recyclers for a quick profit to support drug use.

WSDOT and the Washington State Patrol need the public’s assistance raising awareness of this type of crime. Thieves go to great lengths to steal wire, even staging work zones to provide the opportunity, time and cover they need to rip out the wires. Motorists can help by reporting suspicious work zones to law enforcement.

Motorists who have information regarding the theft last weekend or any wire-theft along a state highway are encouraged to call 1-866-976-WIRE (9473). If drivers encounter a theft in progress, they should dial 9-1-1. For more information on wire-theft, please visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/maintenance/material/.

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