Tweakers taking power from light pole

[Vinko]

I've got some tweakers parked next to my shop for the past three weeks.

They rigged a receptacle and some wires into the pole.

Last time this happened, 5 lights went out up and down the street.

Can't get the police out, calls to the DWP and Bureau of Street Lighting haven't done anything, and I've been calling for 3 weeks.

My main question is would messing around with a street light somehow affect the consistency of the power into my shop?

On a possibly separate note: is it possible to get the power co. (DWP) to monitor the power going to my shop to see how consistent it is? I wonder if it has peaks and valleys of current -- I've got some errors occurring on machine equipment and I'm not sure if this could be the cause?

I've got an engineer friend who's going to put some "regulators" or some such thing in circuits that go directly to machines to see if that stops the errors, but I'm just wondering in general if anyone's had any luck with the electric/power company coming out for diagnosis? The electrician said that the electric company can come out and monitor for 30 days, but good luck getting them out to the shop....

 

[nehog]

I've got some tweakers parked next to my shop for the past three weeks.

What's a 'tweaker'?

They rigged a receptacle and some wires into the pole.

WTF?

Last time this happened, 5 lights went out up and down the street.

Can't get the police out, calls to the DWP and Bureau of Street Lighting haven't done anything, and I've been calling for 3 weeks.

Why not? Theft, if that is what is happening, is unlawful. Or do the police in your area have a different set of rules?

My main question is would messing around with a street light somehow affect the consistency of the power into my shop?

Absolutely can affect your power

On a possibly separate note: is it possible to get the power co. (DWP) to monitor the power going to my shop to see how consistent it is?

Yes, they (power companies) will do this. Also some electricians are able to do this too (for example, I have a power quality monitor that will record 24 hours of power, voltage, glitches, surges and spikes).

I wonder if it has peaks and valleys of current -- I've got some errors occurring on machine equipment and I'm not sure if this could be the cause?

I've got an engineer friend who's going to put some "regulators" or some such thing in circuits that go directly to machines to see if that stops the errors,

Monitor the incoming power first and see where the problem is. Then find the correct solution. Don't spend a lot of money for a 'regulator' when there is some other problem which can (should) be corrected.

but I'm just wondering in general if anyone's had any luck with the electric/power company coming out for diagnosis?

Depends on the power company, but usually they will cooperate.

The electrician said that the electric company can come out and monitor for 30 days, but good luck getting them out to the shop....

If this is a big project, consider investing in power monitoring equipment... Some PC/Notebook based systems are not terribly expensive.

 

[5lima30]

Tweaker, baser, crackhead, stem, junkie, etc, etc.

 

[haugy]

Well since I hate tweakers, my method would most likely involve a rifle, some gasoline, and a match.

But in your case, call the cops, tell them someone in a (vehicle description) just tried to sell you (or kids if you have them) drugs, and when they said no, the tweakers threatened to kill them. That ought to get the cops moving.

Otherwise get mean cause that's what it takes to deal with these pieces of scum.

But yes, it will affect power, and if somehow they aren't doing it right and backfeed a line or something else really stupid could do damage to your system as well. Get them off that line.

 

[Jarcese]

How many amps does a rolling meth lab use?

Messing around with a street light isn't going to bother your service unless you have a bad connection that they keep bumping into where they're messing around or if they're using a something thats drawing a lot of power at random times.

The power company will come disconnect them if they're stealing, of course it won't stop them but maybe they will move along after being cut off a few times. Most companies will install a recorder at the meter if the troubleshooter can't find a problem and you still think its outside the house. That will probably take a few times of checking/changing connections before they go to the recorder, but it shouldn't cost you anything.

 

[marklandon]

Call the DWP and ask for power diverson give them the address or call and report wires exposed from light pole they should come out. or send me a pm with the address and I can see what I can do.

 

[mrb]

call your district's council office (11 right?) every. single. day. until its fixed http://cd11.lacity.org/cd11_cu.htm

 

[BBQ&Love]

gas. match. what tweakers?

 

[scott3257]

Check out section 498(b) PC (Penal Code) = FELONY

498 PC defined- Utility Service Theft (Electricity, Water, Gas, Etc) With intent, obtain such w/out paying full lawful charge, or enable another to do so, or deprive a utility of any part of charge for services, provided, commit, authorize, solicit, aid abet in any of the following:
(1) Utility Services: Divert
(2) Meter: Prevent (I.E. Grow houses)
(3) Utility Services:Tamper
(4) Unauthorized Connection:Make
(5) Unauthorized Connection:Use

Most are a wobbler meaning can either be prosecuted as felony or misdemeanor depending on the District Attorney. I wonder who you local LE is? This reaction to your call for service, would never fly where I work.

 

[Steevo]

We had some try to steal copper wire from an underground vault a few weeks back. They went FFFFZZZZZZZZZZZTTTT!!!!

They had to scrape parts of one guy up with a shovel, and the bolt cutters were welded to the box and had to be cut off with a torch.

Worked out perfectly!
Excellent morning entertainment while I had my egg McMuffin and coffee.

 

[tkiranch]

Well since I hate tweakers, my method would most likely involve a rifle, some gasoline, and a match.

But in your case, call the cops, tell them someone in a (vehicle description) just tried to sell you (or kids if you have them) drugs, and when they said no, the tweakers threatened to kill them. That ought to get the cops moving.

Otherwise get mean cause that's what it takes to deal with these pieces of scum.

But yes, it will affect power, and if somehow they aren't doing it right and backfeed a line or something else really stupid could do damage to your system as well. Get them off that line.

that is a bad idea, Gasoline is way too dangerous, try some diesel or lighter fluid, you wouldnt need a rifle, if their car catches fire, probably due to some electrical problem igniting some lighter fluid that they left in a cup on the hood of their car which fell over. fire department and law enforcement are called to put out and investigate.

Just sayying

 

[boostedgt]

if LA is anything like detroit the police wont give a damn about a non violent crime

 

[Lotek]

if LA is anything like detroit the police wont give a damn about a non violent crime

The one thing I can say for certain, is that L.A. is nothing like Detroit.

 

[copterdoctor]

The one thing I can say for certain, is that L.A. is nothing like Detroit.

agreed.....

 

[Garage5.9]

some pics would be nice.

 

[boostedgt]

The one thing I can say for certain, is that L.A. is nothing like Detroit.

true. detroit has an NFL team


well.. kind of

 

[ddawg16]

Vinko....PM me....I think we can get the problem solved real quick....

 

[Vinko]

Thanks guys.

More info, I didn't include in original post: my shop is commercial not my house. It's flanked by two schools (one elementary and one for high school students). I've seen (and another family member has seen) what look like drug deals go down. Also littering and defecation on sidewalk. Maybe prostitution. Definitely creepy, creepy, creepy environment. Police have been polite and listened each time, but no one has come out, as far as I know.

LA Parking Enforcement: RV and two pick up trucks (1 expired out-of-state plate and 1 expired Calif. plate among them) had been parked in same spot for 21 days. Then they moved for 1 day and then returned this past Sunday). Could never once get them out, even after one call or web request per day.

I called DWP again. The street light may be part of Bureau of Street Lighting (LA City), but DWP will "consider" putting a recorder at my meter to test for fluctuations for 2 weeks. I've got to call them tomorrow. Last time this happened, it was a pole further down the street and caused power problems and five street lights out. But a friend who's an electrical engineer, thinks it's possible that some precision machinery has been acting up because of power problems, and we date to about the time of these problems. I've been doing process of elimination on everything, so this may be the cause.

The SnapOn guy came into the lot today and thought the "recycling" yard next door is also full of tweakers as well. This might be true. The guy over there has always been a decent neighbor, so no real complaint, though my father said they've been dumping chemicals in the street at night (esp. when it rains) and that there's this bizarre stink. I thought it was burning circuit boards or something, but maybe it's drug manufacturing.

As for "handling" the problem myself: I'm not prepared to escalate anything personally. I've got too much too lose in the larger picture, and I don't think direct contact is a good idea, since I'm responsible for family members and employees at the location, as well as property.

 

[nehog]

If ddawg16 can't help:

Call the DEA... Tell them you have a meth lab location... Call the local papers... Tell them you have a meth lab location next to a school, and that when you notified the police they "didn't care..."

 

[wormwood]

I'd be more worried about them breaking into my shop!

 

[240sxguy]

IF they really are running meth labs you are in serious danger being that close to them. I agree with calling the DEA. I have seen the damage that a meth lab can do, and its like a bomb going off. The last people you want making meth are the ones that use it!!!!

 

[Lotek]

true. detroit has an NFL team


well.. kind of

I was going to say... but that would be rubbing salt in the wound.

We have Charlie Sheen though.

I would be more worried about the chemical dumping than the electricity, my wife used to work for a company that cleaned up meth labs, sometimes they had to demolish the house and haul off the topsoil. nasty stuff.

 

[ddawg16]

As for "handling" the problem myself: I'm not prepared to escalate anything personally. I've got too much too lose in the larger picture, and I don't think direct contact is a good idea, since I'm responsible for family members and employees at the location, as well as property.

THAT gentlemen is the correct attitude.....part of your tax dollars go for fixing things like this for you. It's a shame sometimes that one does not get the initial response that a situation deserves.....but there are ways to handle it.

There is no reason you should have to put yourself or your family in danger....

Vinko.....lets see if we can get this cleared up....I have your PM....I'll be in contact with you after you wake up.

 

[Norcal]

true. detroit has an NFL team


well.. kind of

You know why LA does not have a professional football team? Because then San Francisco would want one too.

 

[BBQ&Love]

THAT gentlemen is the correct attitude.....

Of course! But imagining DIYing it (even if an improbable fantasy) never hurt anyone.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Wow, suddenly all that snow here does not look so bad....too bad they did not fry themselves in the process of stealing. Used to see that when I lived near Philly, crackheads stealing wiring in old buildings.....

 

[SuperSocket]

Wait, your cops wont come out for tweakers who are not only druggies making drugs but are also stealing power which is also a felony?!


Time to move dude.

 

[tdkkart]

I'd be on the phone to the PD every hour on the hour until the situation was fixed. There's no reason that a tax paying business person should have to put up with these issues.
If that didn't work, I'd get a big truck, hook onto the RV in the middle of the night and relocate them a few blocks down the street.

 

[ddawg16]

Everyone relax.....it's being handled.

 

[ajaynejr]

Probably will not affect the power in your shop. Any more than a large appliance such as an air conditioner coming on in the building across thes street.

If they put out five street lights, chance are they tapped into a circuit dedicated to street lighting and blew a breaker or fuse.

 

[Bull]

Everyone relax.....it's being handled.

This is great of you to do, John.

 

[Sick Puppy]

Everyone relax.....it's being handled.

I for one would like to know how, but I imagine it's better it's not stated over the internet. Nice one on sorting it.

 

[54FordPanel]

Everyone relax.....it's being handled.

No fair! I want my own go-to guy in the Sheriff's dept...

 

[robin1731]

No fair! I want my own go-to guy in the Sheriff's dept...

I have two go to guys that are Deputy's in my county. One I work on his motorcycle. The other I know because he works part time at Oreillys and delivers parts to me once in awhile. I just have to call either one's cell phone when they are on duty and they get here within 5 minutes or so if I need them that quick. Of course it is usually just a VIN check or something. So I make sure it's at their convenience. Nice to know people in high places though.

 

[rodm1]

Call the schools and tell the principal about your concern for the kids walking home. They might have a go to guy at the police department.

 

[redvalkyrie]

Informing your local news channels is always a good idea. Most have some sort of "We Help Our Viewers" feature in their shows.

 

[1Garageman]

Everyone relax.....it's being handled.

AWESOME!
Keep us updated when something happens!

 

[ddawg16]

Update......

We were going for a more permenant solution.....I was working with NARCO to see if we could get a buy or two made....then put these knuckleheads behind bars for a year or two....otherwise, anything else and all we are really doing is just moving the problem somewhere else....

Well.....tweakers moved away a couple of days ago before we could get set up.

I drove over and had a chat with Vinko yesterday....looked at the location and where they were tapping into the power....they were pulling the base plate on the power pole and tapping in there.....I'm going to assume that it's a 220 feed and they were using a step down transformer....

I have a few good contacts with Edison....but not DWP....but according to my Edison contact....DWP's 'give a **** factor' is about 2 steps below -1.

Anyway....based on what Vinko told me....there is a good chance they will be back....we'll attack the problem when that happens.....unless I can find where they moved to.

On a side note:
In this tough economy the number of people on the skids is higher....a lot more people are living in motor homes....I have a couple near me....in my case, the guys have been jammed enough times that we know they are not tweakers...just guys with nothing more than a welfare check and bodies to old to do any real work. They are about 1 step from living on the street.....but they park their motor homes at the park at night....but we have deal with them....they keep it clean and call us if anything is going on...that parking lot is actually a nice safe place now.....but that is the exception.....

Quality of life is a relative scale depending on your standards....but there is no reason you should allow someone to lower your standards.....no need to take direct personal action....call the guys that are paid to take care of it.....and yes, if you have a "go to sheriff", that helps.....

 

[fergus]

Good to hear somebody's really looking into this. Meth labs do tend to go boom (if that's what it is)!

Manufacturing meth is a super nasty and dangerous process. Wierd (strong) chemical smells are part of the deal. So is lye - you know like drain cleaner - super corrosive. No wonder that stuff makes people go nuts...

Just wanted to pass the word along...sounds like there are a few people here who were unfamiliar. Oh, and with tweakers around, your belongings start to disappear quickly...