Copper thieves cut 911 service in Cape Breton

RCMP in Baddeck, N.S., say that for the second time in two weeks thieves in Cape Breton have stolen copper telephone wire andknocked out service to dozens of homes.

Police said after Monday's theft that more than a kilometre of telephone wire has been stolen in the Goose Cove area.

The first theft happened Dec. 23,cutting phone and internet service to about 60 homes over Christmas.

Cpl. Ann Andrews said that eachtheft hasleft those people without access to 911 service.

"There's areas of the Goose Cove area out there that cellphone coverage isn't very good, and some people obviously don't have cellphones, so their only contact for a 911 call would be their phone line," said Andrews.

Each time there's a theft, it takes two to three days to restore phone and internet service to the area.

Otis Tomas is one of the area residents whose life has been disrupted by the thefts. He makes violins and guitars and sells them over the internet.

"I run a small business here at my house and I do depend on it for being in contact with customers and just continuing communication like that. So, you know to be out of touch for a few days at a time like that it's definitely an inconvenience," said Tomas.

Andrews said stealing the wire is also dangerous for the thieves, since they could accidentally cut a power line and electrocute themselves.

"Obviously there's electrical wires and there's telephone wires. If they cut the wrong wire they may have a real bad reaction with an electrocution," said Andrews.

She is urging anyone with information to contact the Baddeck RCMP detachment.

"If you see somebody that's up on a pole or is in an area where there is wires, whether they're on a pole or lying on the ground or whatever and they don't have an Aliant truck or they don't have a Nova Scotia Power truck, that pretty much makes them suspicious, and we'd appreciate phone calls."

Strong Chinese manufacturing data sent copper prices further into record territory Friday, with the March copper contract ahead six cents to $4.37 USa pound.