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Up to 600 Electrical Meters
Stolen Each Month
stealing electrical meters has
intensified in an alarming way
and the Compańía Nacional de
Fuerza y Luz (CNFL) in concerned
at the report of between 15 and
20 reports a day, which comes to
between 450 and 600 stolen
meters per month.
Roy Guzmán Ramírez, a director
of the CNFL, confirmed the
number of thefts that used to be
average between 15 and 20 a
month.
The majority of robberies occur
in the areas of Hatillos and
Barrio Los Angeles, in the
evening and early morning hours.
Each meter costs ˘140.000
colones (us$272) to replace and
has fast become a real headache
and cost of the electrical
utility company.
Guzmán said it is unclear the
theive's fascination with the
meters other that the
possibility that the units are
resold to international markets,
like Nicaragua and other
countries in Central America and
possibly for the metal value
contained in each meter.
Aluminum and copper are used in
electrical meters, two metals
that are in great demand.
"The situation is critical",
said Guzmán.
According to the director, the
CNFL has noticed the increase in
thefts and is working with the
Organismo de Investigación
Judicial (OIJ) to determine
where the meters are being
received and to understand the
why for the high interest.
The CNFL is calling on its
customers to keep an eye on the
meters and to report thefts to
police immediately. The CNFL is
also recommending the relocation
of the meter well within inside
the property, two metres is a
good distance from the outside
of the property fence, but
visible to CNFL workers to read
the usage. Another
recommendation is to enclose the
meter to deter theft.
In addition to meters, thieves
have made off with electrical
cable. Guzmán added that the
theft of cable is a common
occurrence due to the high
copper and aluminum content that
has risen in prices on
international markets. The
cables are easily purchased by
scrap yards who, according to
Guzmán, pay well for the
material.
The CNFL director added that the
problem is not only the theft of
the cables and meters but the
inconvenience that it involves,
leaving customers without
electrical power until work
crews can be dispatched to
replace the stolen equipment.
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