Power theft is known as the silent crime, but it is not a victimless crime. Theft of electricity and water increases everyone’s rates so honest customers end up paying for the stolen utilities. Reducing power theft is an excellent example of how you can cut the cost of your WAPA bill while helping your fellow citizens do the same.
Anyone trying to cause a meter to stop, to under register or to be bypassed is stealing power. Tampering with a meter is a crime in the Virgin Islands. Punishment includes fines up to $5,000 and/or a jail sentence of up to one year.
WAPA does prosecute, as evidenced by successful criminal trials that ended with convicted power thieves paying heavy fines and repaying hundreds of thousands of dollars, which represented the cost of the stolen power.
Cutting and stealing power lines is also a criminal act that carries stiff consequences, which can include loss of limbs or life from electrocution. It is very dangerous!
Be part of the solution. Crime Stoppers urges V.I. residents to report suspected power and water thefts. Crime Stoppers also encourages you to report those who might be making power theft possible. All that is needed is the address where you believe the theft is occurring and a brief description of what leads you to this conclusion.
To report a suspected theft call WAPA’s Internal Audit Revenue Assurance Division at 340-715-6563 or send an email to [email protected] .
In the event you feel a need to remain anonymous, tell us what you know at www.CrimeStoppersUSVI.org or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by texting “USVI” plus your message to CRIMES (274637). If your tip turns out to be correct, you will receive a reward to be paid according to your instructions.
The minimum reward is $357 plus 10 percent of WAPA’s estimate of the value of the stolen power or water. Crime Stoppers’ maximum reward is $2,500. Only anonymous callers to Crime Stoppers are eligible.
You can also help by contributing to the Crime Stoppers reward fund. For details please go to www.CrimeStoppersUSVI.org and click on “Support Us.”
The greatest power theft in the Virgin Islands is not coming from those who are stealing water and electricity. It lies within WAPA and the PSC. The LEAC rate is the greatest power theft in the history of the Virgin Islands Government. Only WAPA and the PSC are setting the tone to steal from its ratepayers frequently. Now, the criminals says if WAPA and the PSC can do it, then so can I. CrimeStoppersUSVI.org need to investigate both WAPA and the PSC for a change because they are committing the greatest robbery to its citizens. The USVI has the highest electrical rate in the world. Go to: http://www.electricchoice.com/electricity-prices-by-state.php.
You can find out what the other states are charging its ratepayers and compare it to WAPA and the PSC ridiculous increases. Don’t you think by now that “YOU” should have the power to choose wisely whether or not it is feasible to connect yourselves to WAPA/PSC ridiculous rates. As strange as it may seem, the Senators had an opportunity for Southern Energy to privatized WAPA. The Senators voted against that. Now, the ratepayers are paying for that mistake as well. I am surprised that no one has protested peacefully outside the plant carrying signs. I think you are forgetting your power and failure to act responsibly.