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Hydro One partners with Crime Stoppers to reduce metal theft

May 18, 2007 — To combat a huge increase in metal theft, Hydro One and Crime Stoppers have joined forces to curb the crime wave. Copper conductor is used by the company on its power lines and at its transformer/distribution stations across the province.

Hydro One is contributing $10,000 to Crime Stoppers to help raise awareness of the impact of this type of crime, and ways the public can help identify those who engage in this unsafe and illegal activity.

Hydro One estimates copper theft has increased for the utility by approximately 1,150 per cent from 2005 to 2006 and cost the company about $1 million. According to numerous Ontario policing agencies, copper theft has become one of the fastest growing forms of crime in the Province of Ontario.

In power lines copper wire is used as a conductor for electricity. Contact with an energized power line can result in serious injury or death from electrocution.

"This is becoming a very serious problem," said Chris Price, Hydro One's Director of Security. "These thefts threaten the safety of the general public and Hydro One staff and could negatively impact electricity reliability. We expect our partnership with Crime Stoppers, and working closely with local law enforcement will help reduce this criminal activity."

Price explained that the benefits of partnering with Crime Stoppers include the option of anonymity when reporting incidents, and rewards for providing information leading to arrests. "We believe that the partnership will increase identification of metal thieves, and those paying for stolen metal." He added that Hydro One continues to undertake investigations of copper/metal thefts, and has invested in improved security systems.

Pat Gillie, President of the Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers emphasized that for citizens who fear reprisal or are reluctant to get involved, Crime Stoppers is an option for reporting information about this dangerous theft. "Calling 1-800-222-TIPS is all it takes," she explained.

Crime Stoppers is a partnership of the public, police and media which provides the community with a proactive program to anonymously assist in solving crime and contributing to an improved quality of life. In Ontario, there are 39 Crime Stoppers programs, linked together by a national toll-free telephone number (1 800 222-TIPS, or 8477). Crime Stoppers takes information 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Callers never have to identify themselves or testify in court.

Hydro One delivers electricity safely, reliably and responsibly to homes and businesses across the province of Ontario and owns and operates Ontario's 29,000 kilometre high-voltage transmission network that delivers electricity to large industrial customers and municipal utilities, and a 122,000 kilometre low-voltage distribution system that serves about 1.3 million end-use customers and smaller municipal utilities in the province. Hydro One is wholly owned by the Province of Ontario.

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For more information and to make arrangements for photography, contact Hydro One Media Relations 24 hours a day at 1-877-506-7584 (toll-free in Ontario only) or 416-345-6868. Our website is www.HydroOne.com.