Viking RCMP asking for increased vigilance around critical infrastructures

Viking RCMP is asking for extra vigilance regarding vandalism and theft.

The RCMP state that acts of theft and vandalism contribute to many service outages that affect telecommunications networks. Copper wire, piping, and other materials are often stolen to be sold to scrap dealers for cash.

“These acts are not victimless crimes and can have a serious impact on public health and safety,” says Sgt. Ray Stack, commander. “They disrupt emergency 9-1-1 services, and adversely affect hospitals, schools and businesses.

“Viking RCMP asks for your help in reporting suspicious activity that would be underway or have happened in the vicinity of telecommunication infrastructure or another infrastructure such as an oil site.

This includes encountering active thefts, spotting nmarked vehicles operating near telecommunications infrastructure or another infrastructure such as an oil site, the presence of ATV or off road vehicles, usually with a trailer.

Said Stack: “This would be areas where you would not expect to see these types of vehicle. For example, on the side of the highway Individuals working without company clothing or safety gear.

After an incident there may be a telephone pole cut down, wires between poles hanging; an Internet or home phone outage or pieces of cable scattered on the ground in the surrounding area.

Another thing to watch for are fires that produce dark black smoke- usually a sign of people burning the casing that holds copper wires.

Scrap yards are in possession of telephone copper are often burned by suspects.

If you see any thing suspicious where that’s at telecommunication site or another infrastructure such as an oil site, report to the Viking RCMP or call 911.