STOP Copper Theft!

How Video Analytics are Helping

Electrical Utilities Proactively

Stop Copper Theft

Video security plays a key role in the fight against copper theft for most Electrical Utility companies. Inexpensive battery‐operated cameras with built‐in motion detection triggers offer easy‐to‐install solutions to allow Utility companies to see what is going on at substations from remote locations. Unfortunately the motion‐detection is designed that “something has moved” and is prone to false alarms.

The key issue with video motion detection is that it is designed to begin recording when any change in the video occurs. Video motion detection cannot differentiate whether wind blowing trees or debris, rain or snow falling, insects flying in the camera or a small animal is causing the event.

From this aspect, motion detection is less effective at detecting the security event because it is designed to detect when “something has moved” and therefore does not discriminate what caused the movement.

Video‐analytics based systems differ from video motion detection by alerting security when “something you care about is happening.”

The software is based on machine vision applications that allow users to create detection zones that alert to violations based on the size of objects and the amount of time an object stays in a specific area in the field of view. Software filters are used to ignore noise caused by bugs, wind blowing tree branches or precipitation in the field of view. Where motion‐detection offers little discrimination, video analytics are highly elective in determining what actually triggers a security event. By applying Video Analytics‐based security products at utility substations and works facilities, electrical utilities can receive real‐time alert notification when copper thieves get within ten feet of the fence line of a substation and continue to receive alerts after the perpetrator has entered the facility.

This proactive solution allows utility companies to potentially stop theft, and the other damages associated with theft, before it occurs.

Read more …

Copper Theft is growing epidemic and Video Analytics are playing a pro-active role at reducing the damaging effects of the problem. Learn more about Copper Theft issues with the links below:

Copper Theft News Stories

• Legislation to curb Copper Theft comes under criticism
• Unes’ Copper Theft bill passes out of committee
• Bill targets Copper Theft
• Man arrested in Copper Thefts from Pittsburg, Antioch city fixtures
• Arrest in Copper Theft at progress facility
• Poconos Copper Theft suspect wanted
• Trolley Museum vandalized in Copper Theft
• Copper Theft crime debated at council
• Copper wire thefts could cost Fremont almost $800,000
• Deputies investigate Copper Thefts
• Scott Copper Theft arrests
• Modestan suspected in Copper Theft appears in federal court
• Three charged in Copper Theft from Old Moon high school
• Man accused of stealing Copper from Delaware Power Station
• Copper Theft crackdowns eyed
• District Attorney wants to crack down on Copper Theft
• Co-op wins tougher Copper Theft laws
• Two men charged with Copper Theft
• Toronto police bust attempted copper theft at Hydro One
• Kansas man pleads guilty to attempted Copper Theft
• Copper Thief killed trying to escape
• Kentucky Lawmaker touts proposal to limit Copper Theft
• Latest Modesto Copper Theft par for the course
• Florida couple charged in Brown Co Copper Thefts
• Copper, AC Coils stolen from empty plant
• Three Seaford residents charged with stealing Copper Ground Wires from City Electric poles
• PG&E workers interrupt Copper Thieves at Yuba City storage yard
• Copper Theft Declines
• Database helps Arizona cops track Copper Theft
• Man attempts Copper Theft from Store
• Arizona officials seek Copper Theft crackdown
• Copper Theft sting leads to Martinsville Recycling employee arrest
• Two arrested for Copper Thefts from Utility Poles
• Copper Theft bill softened after scrap dealers lobby
• Copper Thefts disconnect remote Bradshaw community from emergency services
• Two arrested in connection with Copper Theft
• Women arrested for Copper Theft
• Man arrested in restaurant Copper Theft
• Cops nab suspects in Copper Thefts
• Man pleads guilty in Dakota Electric Copper Theft
• Duke Energy vehicle, thousands of feet of Copper reported stolen
• Copper costs cause increase in railway cable theft
• Bibb County man sentenced in Copper Theft case
• Covina Police arrest Glendora Copper Theft suspect
• MPD investigating Copper Theft
• Bill in works to crack down on Copper Theft
• Copper Thefts put a hurt on light rail
• Copper Thefts from Electric Utility poles plague region
• Copper Theft on Power Line
• Two men accused of attempted Copper Theft
• Attempted Copper Theft at Entergy Substation leads to blackout
• Couple charged in attempted copper theft at Clifton Mill
• Bills take aim at rash of Copper Thefts
• Copper Theft popular among middle aged men
• DEC reports Copper Theft
• Bluefield police catch Copper Theft suspects in the act
• Suspects eyed in $100,000 Copper Theft damage in Milpitas
• Legislators to target Copper Theft
• Richmond Police catch two in Copper Theft
• Two arrested after Copper Theft at Rader Center
• Copper Theft suspends operations at Llandough Hospital
• Copper Theft leaves phones dead
• Copper Theft temporarily shuts down Daytona radio station
• Police warn Summer Cottage Owners to beware of Copper Theft
• Arrest made in connection with weekend Copper Theft
• TVA enlisting neighbors to watch for Copper Theft
• Copper Thefts frustrate victims
• Officer stops suspected Copper Theft in progress
• Copper theft on the rise in Hernando
• Man charged in $10,000 Copper Theft spree in Pennsville Township that saw 9 buildings struck
• Suspects wanted in alleged Copper Theft
• KESC Copper Wire being pilfered by workers
• Crooks turned our lights to 6000
• ISS Expands into Carolinas
• Copper Theft increases in Triangle
• Copper Theft hearing set
• Frontier spots pattern of copper thefts in August
• Copper Theft means lights out for Hurcules Streets
• Copper Thefts increase
• 2 Men arrested in connection with Copper Thefts
• Suspects on the loose after Copper Theft
• Three arrested in attempted Loma Linda Copper Wire Theft
• Two arrested in Copper Theft
• Water Dept reports Copper Theft
• Suspect wanted in Concord Copper Theft
• Police struggle to nab Copper Thieves
• Police investigating complex, well planned Copper Theft
• Shelton man charged for Copper Theft in Ansonia
• Two arrested in Howard County for Copper Theft
• GPS Trackers led Port Richey police to Copper Thief
• Two women arrested on suspicion of copper theft
• Two arrested near Maxwell in Copper Wire Theft
• Big Surge in Metal Thefts
• Copper thefts leave ballparks in the dark
• Lexington Police investigation yet another Copper Theft
• Copper Theft delays reopening of Gays River Mine
• Copper Thieves cost Cape Town Millions
• More than $100,000 in copper wire stolen from west Georgia school system
• Copper thieves leave thousands without phone service
• Copper theft damages machinery
• Two men charged with Pinson copper theft
• Thieves looking for Copper knock out phone service in Columbiana County
• Area police investigates thefts of Copper Wire
• Fresno Man arrested in Copper Wire Theft
• Two men charged with stealing copper from Riviera utilities substations in Baldwin County
• Copper Theft on the Rise
• Brothers accused of Copper Theft in Pasadena
• Copper Thief caught
• Copper Thefts continue to plague Brentwood
• Copper Theft down after new law
• New Copper Theft Foil
• Copper theft destroys electrical goods in almost 300 homes
• Copper thefts on the rise in South Cobb and throughout County
• Man arrested in Copper Theft
• Pensacola copper theft suspect arrested
• Sheriff’s office launches attach on Copper Theft
• Florence Police arrest three in Monday Copper Theft
• Baltimore Man charged with Aberdeen Copper Thefts
• Thefts of Copper on the rise
• Third suspect arrested in large-scale copper wire theft in Cape
• Police crack down on Copper Thefts with “Cold Steal” Initiative
• Thieves risk electrocution to steal copper from Sutton Electricity Substation
• Historic Copper Bell stolen from San Francisco church
• Thieves keep pace with price of scrap metal
• Pittsfield man allegedly stole hundreds of dollars of metal
• Copper wire stolen from Hagerstown Light Department truck
• Six arrested in Frontier Communications Copper Theft ring
• Fox Lake man charged with Copper Theft from Alliant Energy Substation
• Butte Police investigating theft of 1,600 ft of Copper Wire
• Copper thieves target Power Company in Central New York
• Copper thieves causing thousands of dollars of damage to steal a few hundred dollars of copper
• Copper Theft Attempt at Sam Benn Park
• City Park Targeted in Copper Wire Thefts
• Consumer’s Energy ups reward for information leading to a Copper Theft arrest
• Economy Down, Copper Thefts Up
• Copper thefts continue to plague eastern Prince William County
• PA Firefighter accused of Copper Theft
• Copper Thieves disrupt phone service
• Massive theft of Copper Wire reported in Southern Illinois
• Marianna Man accused of Copper Theft from eight cell phone towers
• Sheriff’s deputies arrest Copper Thieves in Pinson AL
• Air Conditioners become hot target for Copper Thieves
• Copper Theft prompts closure of sports fields in Henderson Park, Las Vegas
• Ordinance would combat Copper Metal Thefts
• Copper Grounding Rods stolen from Marinwood Cellular site
• Man Allegedly stole $37,000 worth of Copper in Monroe
• Copper thefts continue to be a major issue
• Politicians struggle with Copper Theft solutions
• Copper Theft on the rise across the region
• Marlboro County officials declare “War on Copper Theft”
• Copper thieves hamper shoppers
• 18 arrested in Sarasota County Copper Theft crackdown
• Thieves hit two BPA Substations in Washington and Oregon
• Copper Wiring stolen from Power Substation in North Augusta
• Copper thieves continue to assault APCO Power Lines
• Copper Thieves Arrested in North West
• Kingston Police Investigate and Solve Copper Theft
• Caught on Tape : Attempted Copper Theft
• Copper wire stolen from substation
• Electric Cooperatives Battling Copper Thefts
• Five Arrested for Copper Theft
• Attempted Theft of Copper Wire at Energy Substation
• Thieves target Power Lines and More
• Copper Vandals hit Kaw Valley Substation
• Thieves steal copper from BPA Substation
• Copper wiring stolen from Substation in N Augusta
• Fighting the Copper Theft Epidemic
• Two arrested in Jefferson County on Copper Theft charges
• Suspect arrested during attempted Copper Theft
• Copper Theft on the rise in New Mexico
• Thieves steal copper wire again from substation
• Thieves pose as utility workers to steal copper wire
• Police arrested a man accused of Stealing Copper
• Clamping Down on Copper Theft
• Man charged in Copper Theft
• $5k in damage for $39 worth of Copper
• Thieves take $1.8k of Copper
• Two men charged with stealing downed power lines in Matawan
• Couple arrested in AZ after stealing copper from light pole
• City spends $16,000+ to replace copper in lights after theft
• Man dies after being shocked while attempting to steal copper from a substation in Alton, IL
• Man arrested for stealing 320 ft of copper from Verizon phone wires
• Copper theft leaves 6,800 powerless
• Utility companies going high-tech to fight copper thefts
• Utilities fight copper thieves
• Two men arrested for attempted copper theft
• Man gets electrocuted by hydro pole trying to steal copper
• 1,000 lose power in Sierra Vista after attempted copper theft
• Man charged with trying to steal copper gutters from school
• Department of Homeland Security warns copper thieves

Copper Theft News & Video

• Combating Copper Theft in Fresno
• Copper Theft suspect caught
• Metal Theft Unit cracking down on Copper Thieves
• Authorities break up Copper Theft Ring
• Copper Thieves hit Glenway Crossing
• Police arrest suspect believed to be fast working Copper Thief
• Proposed bill to make selling scrap metal tougher
• Dramatic rise in Copper Thefts as price of metal skyrockets
• Local builder hit hard by Copper Thieves
• Two Copper Thefts in one week in Richmond Neighborhood
• Copper Wire Theft is now a felony
• Copper Thieves target Century Link
• Officials cracking down on Copper Thieves
• Copper Theft remains a problem for the community
• Copper wire stolen from a Chowchilla park again
• Changing legislation against Copper Thieves
• Copper Thief faces judge
• PD: City workers steal from University
• Thousands lost in Midtown Copper Theft
• Copper Theft Suspect
• Copper Theft from Septa yard estimated at $58,000
• BPA replaces Copper Wire to deter theft
• Undercover operation on Copper Wire Sales
• SAWS Pump Station offline after Copper Theft
• Stealing Copper can be a deadly crime
• Copper thieves strike Hot Spring County again
• Cops and Utility team up to stop Copper Wire Theft
• Joint task force to battle copper theft
• Copper theft on the rise in Northern Kentucky
• Metal Gates lure thieves to Washington’s forests
• Heavy interest in new SC scrap metal permit law
• Three arrested in Boone County for Copper Theft
• Copper theft leads to power outage; $10K rewarded offer
• Grounding Copper wire stolen
• Copper Capers Strike Again
• Thieves target copper grounding wire
• Thieves steal copper wire from FPL substation
• Thieves target grounding wire
• Radio Stations back to full power after Copper Theft
• Noise Complaint leads to Copper Thieves in Action
• Copper Theft blamed for man’s death due to lights out under airport viaduct
• $10K Copper Theft puzzles authorities
• Cooper City Copper Theft caught on video
• Street lights out due to Copper Theft
• Copper Thieves Increasingly Target Tulsa Power Substations
• Utility substation copper theft
• PG&E hit by copper theft
• Copper thieves target schools
• Copper thefts spike in New Orleans metro area

Copper Theft Videos

• Copper Thefts leaves Sacramento in the dark
• The Metcalfe Minute : Copper Theft Legislation
• Sen. Herb Snyder discussing Copper Theft Legislation
• Residents express frustration over Copper Theft
• Copper Theft down in District 3
• $500,000 Copper Theft
• Police say Copper thieves tried to blend in
• Norcross GA Copper Theft on the rise
• Copper Thieves caught on tape
• Copper Thieves target OP Best Buy store
• Copper Thieves strike homes along Lake Travis
• Two arrested in Copper Thefts in Warwick
• Bishop State Copper Theft
• GOP lawmakers take on Copper Thefts through supply, price
• Two nabbed in Carmichael Church Copper Theft
• Copper Thieves hit Anchor Inn
• Pair indicted, Accused of stealing Copper Wiring
• Scrap Metal Theft
• Police chief arrests suspected Copper Thieves
• Murder charge dropped in Oklahoma Copper Theft
• Copper Theft at El Cajon Store caught on tape
• Electrical Public Safety at American Electric Power – Copper Theft
• 2 nabbed in Carmichael Church Copper Theft
• TVA facilities see an increase in Copper Thefts
• Small device could reduce Copper Theft
• SEPTA Copper Theft
• From the Field : Copper Theft
• Duke Copper Theft
• Beaufort Co Copper Theft
• Copper Theft
• Real Estate agents catch Copper Thief in Action
• Copper theft affecting rural and urban communities
• Copper theft law in Kentucky
• Beard Brook Park closed due to Copper Theft in Modesto, CA
• House destroyed in Copper Theft
• Unes files bill to curtail Copper Theft
• Copper Wire Theft
• Copper thieves caught in action
• Inside Copper Theft
• Jacksonville PD make copper theft arrests
• Copper thieves arrested after assaulting police officer
• Copper stolen from Legacy Home
• Copper Theft blamed for Darkened Road
• Copper Theft Rates
• Copper Theft may be linked to Wildfire
• Copper Theft on the rise
• Copper Theft Ring Busted
• Copper Capers leave drivers in the dark
• Thieves steal Copper from West Carrollton Company
• Danger of stealing Copper wire
• Copper Thieves Strike Communication Tower
• Pasco County lose power due to Copper Theft
• Copper theft caught on video
• Arteco’s Intelligent Video Surveillance fights copper theft
• Consequences of copper theft
• Copper wire theft arrest
• Copper wire theft arrest
• Thieves target utility lines
• Man killed in STL/IL Copper theft

Copper Theft PDF

• Copper Theft can Kill
• Duke Energy fights Copper Theft
• Copper Theft : Gain a Buck, Lose a Life
• Impact of copper thefts on the department of energy