SIXTY-EIGHT OUT OF 78 LIGHT POLES AT THE ISLETA AMPHITHEATER PARKING LOT ARE DAMAGED BY COPPER THIEVES. THE THEFTS HAPPENED LAST WEEK. BERNALILLO COUNTY PARKS AND REC DIRECTOR ED CHISMAR SAYS IT APPEARS THEY USED A TRUCK TO PULL THE WIRE FROM THE POLES.
THEY ALSO DAMAGED SEVERAL TRANSFORMER BOXES, SOMETHING THAT REQUIRES KNOWLEDGE OF HOW THEY WORK. FOR THAT REASON, HE THINKS THE THIEF COULD BE AN ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR WHO COULD USE THE WIRE IN HIS CONSTRUCTION.
CHISMAR TELLS US THEY'RE CONSIDERING GOING SOLAR, ELIMINATING THE NEED FOR THE COPPER. DAMAGE COULD TOP OUT IN THE RANGE OF 50-TO-80-THOUSAND DOLLARS.
