PECO Combats People Using Everyday Items To Steal Power

Joe Holden reports.

[@kennethfrese9348]

And a few minutes after the crews and cameras dispersed, the nails and beer cans were replaced, and the power was back on.

[@leeasch2342]

Yep

[@dalebills9470]

Beer cans 😂😂

[@XoxJasonReynoldsxoX]

Costing "YOU" millions of dollars? No, it is costing the utility company (who is in bed with the government) pocket change compared to what they make each month in fees/penalties from people using too little electricity. They charge whatever the hell they want because they are the only show in most towns and they constantly raise the already high rates. Stealing anything is wrong; but let's just say I won't be shedding any tears for the poor, insanely wealthy utility giants and their cronies who use situations like these as an excuse to charge people even more.

[@dolice7745]

are you that stupid? it is costing people money because people steal electricity so the company has to increase everyone's prices

[@7628739]

It's the same story the phone companies did 30 yrs ago. You gad to rent your phones

[@ggyugcxzzf]

This guy fucking gets it. America is Don Fanucci Where is Don Vito?

[@Nohname]

​@@ggyugcxzzf💯💯

[@wewillrise3663]

That guy browses reddit for sure

[@brianvalentas1121]

Maybe if they didn’t charge so much for a basic need, people wouldn’t go through these lengths to steal.

[@NateJames-xj9kj]

Mm electric is not a "basic need". .

[@SiontheRapadant]

Thank you for teaching us how to get rid of our power bills

[@MrTheJokersChannel]

"There work is dangerous " shows a calm dog...

[@anahidmatevosian7516]

Please help me I’m a victim of elders use and power theft

[@anahidmatevosian7516]

Please help me🥵

[@RIP19851]

The easiest thing to steal in the 90’s was your neighbor cable all u need was a cable cord and a splitter

[@anahidmatevosian7516]

@corey Babcock How horrible I am a victim of power theft since 2017! Have no one to help me😰🤗😡

[@mayarichie8320]

I tried to put the power in my name when I moved into my new house I rent and since the previous tenant who died left a huge balance and the power was cut off Peco said when I called that they WILL NOT turn it on until they do an "investigation" to make sure I'm not associated with previous tenant and it takes a MINIMUM of 3 business days... They aren't open on weekends to call customer service so I haven't had power since Thursday and can't even talk to anyone until tomorrow (Monday) because some dude I don't know that lived at my address before he died and they re-leased the apartment left a huge bill... So yeah I see why people steal power from PECO. Thank God my mother in law is keeping my kids at her house til this is taken care of cuz PECO doesn't give a shit that one of my kids has a breathing machine all they care about is the previous tenant paying his past due bill from beyond the grave smh

[@justinscott5164]

How did you get this resolved im going through the same thing

[@lilaccilla]

wth ?

[@dylanlafreniere3479]

I love the shot at the end, they told those two guys to stand there and look like there are doing something. I don't understand why they try so hard to set up fake back drops. It's to funny.

[@CEOkiller]

Power to the people!

[@wellfuckyoumr]

"Shedding light on a shocking crime?" That fucking hurt.

[@godman5043]

How is it not thievery when they lobby for laws that say you must be hooked to thier network even if you can provide 100% of your own power?

[@ROTAXD]

God Man there is no law that says you have to be on the grid.

[@fivelakesyj]

ROTAXD... Yes, there are laws that require you to be connected to the grid. Case in point from just a couple months ago in Florida: www.wftv.com/news/local/want-solar-panels-you-still-have-to-pay-florida-utilities/276475576 Be connected in Florida or lose your home...

[@vylbird8014]

Rotaxd, you are both right and wrong: It depends where you live. Local ordinances often mandate that properties be hooked up to essential services in order to get a certificate of occupancy. Electricity, water, sewer. These ordinances do not always make accommodation for off-grid homes, as they are a rarity outside of rural areas.

[@andrewt.5567]

Being connected and using their power are two different things. You can always disconnect from your main breaker box. You would only get a meter charge every month.

[@stevemoorman6010]

God Man Government =Theft Thru taxation

[@PaulPetrea]

You guys have NO clue about "dangerous wiring" to a home. You really need to visit Southeast Asia to get a REAL feel of shotty power connections to home. :)

[@thedude5040]

You have a small point, before I began as a career power engineer, I thought the electric heater attachments for shower heads in south america was completely unsafe. Now I know, well there is a risk of electrocution but having a hot shower is worth the small risk. In the US since we are the nation of litigation hell, power companies have no choice except to be anal about consumer safety.

[@TheLegendaryLinx]

I know a few Peco workers who are stealing electricity at their own home. They know all the tricks of the trade.

[@backdraft6290]

TheLegendaryLinx fucking NARC

[@GamerXface]

TheLegendaryLinx hell yeah. gotta take advantage of what you know

[@MasterChief-sl9ro]

Their not Electricians. They are Linemen you idiot. You need an Journeyman's Electricians LIc to install epair Commercial. Residential and Industrial. AS I wouldn't let a lineman install a GFCI in my house.

[@johnjesus971]

They're* who are you calling an idiot?

[@All2Skitzd]

+Master Chief 00117 To the average person if they work in the field they are electricians, Either way I assume they are more qualified to steal it then the people who hooked up the shit in the news video are. Maybe not by a lot but still (more qualified) +John Jesus youtube spelling and grammar police, if you're gonna correct it then correct it all.either way the sentence reads the same, like this one.... Day took car jobs, sofa king ignore rent day took car jobs

[@dredrotten]

Doesn't this just go to show that electricity prices are way too high?

[@Get_yotted]

Red Rooster people steal some of the most inexpensive shit, I know people that steal shit worth fifty cents. If your electric bill is too high you’re probably using too much energy by leaving lights on and shit. These fucks aren’t broke, they just want to cut corners and by doing so can put other and themselves in danger since most people aren’t making secure connection and have live wires that a kid can touch.

[@azinyefantasy4445]

Red Rooster not really. My state now charges a sewer tax of 42 dollars. Then water went from 30 a month to 46 for rented properties regardless of use. If states keep finding ways to get more and more then people will continue to do this.

[@ROGER2095]

Yes, prices ARE too high. But that doesn't translate to higher profits for the electric company. The percentage profit they make is set by law. The prices are high because their costs are high. Lower their costs (reduce environmental regulations, OSHA regulations, insurance regulations, Union requirements, legal liability requirements, etc) and they'll lower their prices. Is it worth it? You decide.

[@chadnelson9926]

@@ROGER2095 not when they speed up the meters also check this out www.freedomtaker.com and KZbin dangers of smart meters

[@ROGER2095]

Chad Nelson - I'm not sure I follow you. If you mean that people can be intentionally overcharged, that's certainly possible. No argument here. But my point is that the percentage profit a utility makes is - for better or worse - regulated by law. Prices go up but profit margins don't. At your local library, at the reference desk (you have to ask for it) is a big book called "The Value Line." It's mainly used by investors, and it contains precise, current and historic financial information on nearly all large, North American corporations. It's worth your time looking at, even if you don't understand much about accounting. You can see your local electric company's revenue for the past 20 years, how much taxes they paid, how much money they've borrowed, how much profit they've made and to the point, the percentage of revenue that is profit. And a lot more if you understand accounting. It's interesting and worthwhile reading. You can see the facts yourself.

[@pureblood369]

Stop charging people 3 to $400 a month

[@frankmagana1408]

geoffrey oliver is that how much theyre charging? In the LA area, my dad pays no more than $90 a month for a family of 6

[@123456bmx]

geoffrey oliver you could just go with the other company,oh wait

[@nerys71]

Frank Magana gas?

[@frankmagana1408]

Nerys nah electricty. The gas bill is like 20 a month inwould say

[@nerys71]

Frank Magana exactly what i thought. Gas. So you have no idea. Piped gas is crazy cheap. If you dont have piped gas its insanely expensive. My electric bill was $1200 to $1300 a month on electric heat. Now i use propane and its still $600 a month in propane (delivered not piped) plus $500 a month in electric in the winter. (We run one electric heater and keep the gas at 60f to keep the cost down) people with piped gas have no idea. Sure if my heat, hot water, dryer, stove, and oven ran on piped gas i would have a $100 month electric bill too.

[@namefake4131]

With the price of power so high, who is really stealing from who?

[@TheAkashicTraveller]

I like the way they keep on making out $3.6 million to be a lot of money to a company that makes $3.77 billion.

[@jp-um2fr]

Back in the days when electric power lines were being installed a friend of mine was inspecting a new installation. They noticed someone who appeared to be trying to throw a line over a power line crossing a field. The man was a farmer and had just tied some wire around the base of a bulb hanging in an old barn. He was then attempting to connect this bulb to the grid. They suggested he desist and told him why.

[@unhappyattendantughh2469]

So theft is ok because it's just a little bit? I bet you're engaged by people shoplifting from billion dollar coprations though

[@emmanuelm2291]

@@unhappyattendantughh2469 nowhere did he say it was ok.

[@malazan6004]

So let me get this straight they get their power cut off completely and they use home items to get back on the grid for free? We have different boxes in Australia

[@whackyjinak4978]

a "shocking" crime

[@r1nc3w1nd7]

WhackyJ in AK yeah but don't zap yer bollocks, there's a chap. 🙂

[@lit2021]

Osama Shello petrol is even more expensive in Europe, because the Americans and Russians control most of the oil wells.

[@bubumic2971]

Yea we heard it too stop repeating what has already been said !

[@waynegafford1010]

People need to stop fucken idiots

[@hieptruong5222]

OMG these guys costed me millions? no wonder i'm always broke

[@harleyxxfabco]

Believing the power company would lower your rates if people stopped stealing electricity..LOL.

[@abramruelas5176]

Hiep Truong lmao

[@maniac9354]

They go to the poor side of town why don't they go to the rich side of town???

[@All2Skitzd]

because they are looking for people stealing electricity, which is generally done due to lack of financial means (besides one time, it was because I was moving in a fourplex that was going to be on it's own power meter for the first time and they was taking too long to come install a meter and we would of been without power if not having canceled the appointment and opted to install a "borrowed" meter). Most people with money aren't going to take a chance playing with the electric, Aside from the risk of getting shocked or starting a fire, they also generally aren't going to take the risk of getting that $1000 tampering charge.

[@cardboardboxification]

Maniac935 the rich can afford their $5000 electric bill

[@mikehuntsore823]

As an electrician, its the power company that's been robbing residents for years. I like how the reporter tries to make the viewer think that the power thiefs costs "us" millions. In reality, here's the deal. The power companies many years ago went around buying peoples land so they can hydroelectric dam which they boasted would supply the masses with cheap affordable power to everyone. The turbines at the powerhouses are retrofitted every 75 years or so to make them more efficient, but other than that they are manned by a skeleton crew. In fact if all the people disappeared today, the power would flow for another 35 years or so. The storms are what really costs the city having to do repairs during outages. But believe me the money they are paying out for the equipment and crews is miniscule compared to how much they rake in from the ever rising cost of a kw hour when they buttfuck customers. Please don't let these fucks get you twisted. I have a 2 year old and a pregnant wife. And they won't give a flying shit about putting us all in the dark tomorrow if we don't pay them. You all included. The flow of electricity us free and they don't bother metering ANY of it till it hits our homes. They are never going to be interested in making ur bill lower by exploring a cheaper solution. They WILL bash solar panels, wind turbines, ect to turn people off of the idea of pumping power back into the grid because they enjoy fucking us hand over fists. They want to be some whiny bitches and get the news team to do a bogus story to get us to side with them, but don't tell me if you could successfully tamper with ur meter and cut ur bill in half, and get away with it, we'd all sign up for that shit. A company that runs a monopoly and has complete control over electricity that lies to you, then bends you over and rams it in with no lube deserves to be fucked over a little bit by just a few people. If people figure out how to bypass a meter and not electrocute themselves personally I admire. They show us that tenacity and determination is the American way no matter what the chumps at the utility building think. Good for them.

[@faithismine128]

Agreed! I am a Commercial Plumber but I have seen enough to know who the real criminals are. They own planes and drive BMWs.

[@richardsandwell2285]

Power companies are a rip-off, the way to go is for people to dump them and generate their own power, people on boats manage mainly with 12-volt power systems, LED lights are now cheap and so is Solar panels. They hated Nikola Tesla the guy who invented our AC power networks, because he wanted to make electricity distributed wirelessly and virtually free to all the people. They made one of the true scientists of the day out to be a freak and a madman because let's face it a lot of the other scientists around at the time were frauds, they were simply businessmen who would merely get rich by copying other clever peoples ideas, Edison never did invent the light bulb, he just took the idea off someone else and was good with his marketing.

[@vylbird8014]

Half true. Edison did not invent the light bulb, but he did refine it and turn a laboratory curiosity into a practical light source. Tesla did experiment with wireless power, but there are fundamental physics issues that prevent it from being practical - and his design for a three-phase AC distribution network works very well. When it comes to people generating their own power though, things get a bit more complicated. Yes, you can do it - if you have a house with good situation you just need solar panels, and a charge controller, and an inverter, and batteries. But it isn't cheap. It's getting cheaper, so maybe one day it'll be commonplace.

[@jackass123455]

I live in australia and have solar for the last 6 or so years my.power company has been paying me to be connected to the grid

[@jameslacey858]

In British Columbia Canada people steal power for their clandestine marijuana grow operations sometimes they exceed the transformer capacity is how they get caught or just put a jumper on one side of the meter to cut their hydro Bill in half at least they are still paying something so it's not so obvious to the local electricity company😈

[@thomassmith2058]

PECO workers in the video have nice safety gear. Not a speck of dirt or not a scratch on their obviously first time used eye protection, hard hats and vests. Staged for TV? Haha!!!

[@Ytuser-po2xn]

Thomas Smith lol you're right I watched it a second time. They gear is a brand new. Also come to think about it why is a news crew there? Why is a company spokesperson on site? Why was the pitbull on a chain over dramatized? Wow

[@themonkeyhand]

Of course it was staged. They called the media to bring them out for the show. Free platform the complain about poor people stealing power.

[@niccatipay]

Have you considered that they could be just very good at maintaining their equipment than most of us can?

[@ViolentGamerOfficial]

Thomas Smith 0:27 his gloves are dirty

[@daw162]

I'd bet those guys generally work in dirty stuff, but the PR person for the power company probably said "make sure they're clean for TV".

[@IvanRossS]

Thank u so much, u just gave my idea how to wire meter that power light by the sign at my community

[@chrismartinez4273]

Thanks I’ve been looking for a how to video on this and first minute helped me out 💀

[@junito1008]

Give them solar panels so they don’t steal more electricity !! Lol

[@MikinessAnalog]

Or let them save up for it and get it themselves. What a novel idea.

[@devilboy251]

Give? Why can’t they buy their own things?

[@junito1008]

@@devilboy251 Didn’t you see the “lol” at the end of my comment? That means I was being sarcastic.

[@krashd]

Bad people will always steal, but if you make things difficult to afford then you drive even good people to steal.

[@danfuerthgillis4483]

Nikola Tesla ultimate goal was to remove all meters but the man who lit the world with AC is never remembered or even has a National Holiday after him.

[@leeasch2342]

I piss the power company off by draping copper screen over their stupid 'smart' meter. Then they have to come & do an actual reading. Let them freakin' work for their money.

[@qll8840]

My ex who was a complete fool but had the good fortune to be born into a family with wealth. Anyway he paid my mortgage and bills and one day after years of paying my bills asked me how I kept my electric bill so low? He said his daughter’s electric bill was around 1500 a month. I said there is absolutely no way he called her up and she repeated the # . She lived in a 2 bedroom condo and I told him that made no sense they needed to call the city. Fast forward a few months we go and visit this kid and I tell you someone hot wired the grid ☹️ he paid the bill for years and never questioned it, he ended up suing the HOA and they settled.

[@lilaccilla]

I think someone is using my electricity also ! My bills are twice as much as others in my building . And my apt heats up by itself when i come home its 85 plus degrees . The thermostat was played with while I was away also . Its now ass backwards ! to the right is no heat now and to the left it heat on ! Crazy shit!

[@makaveli087]

"STeAL PoWEr" That's a gosh dang *LIFE HACK* , Cleetus!

[@chrisloesch1870]

You are using the wrong descriptions. You should be saying amigo instead of Cletus. Ever been to Mexico? Everybody steals power down there and it’s fing dangerous what people do to tap the lines illegally

[@fastdraw30]

Power companies are to blame..every year rates increase..and they also spike rates during certain times of the day and year to make the most money..so who's the thief now??🙄

[@Mladjasmilic]

In Serbia, power meters are mounted on outside wall of house. If person is caught steeling, meters is moved to pole on which house is connected. Btw, in Serbia we use 230/400V 3 phase system. Higher voltage but lower current. For same given power current in US 2 times greater, so wire heats up 4 times as much for same thiknes. Pointing out 240V as more dangerous is pointless.

[@ericwsmith7722]

Higher voltage, can use smaller wire size, the draw back the higher the voltage the higher the risk.

[@Mladjasmilic]

eric wsmith Most of private house in countryside have instalations made by unlicenced electricians with high school. Power meters and cables until power meter are installed by utility company. I can not recall any fire or electric shock that I have ever heard. Every plug is 230V and each home that I know has 1 400V plug for cooker.

[@Mrizing]

Do you hate/dislike some or maybe all Bosnian Muslims?

[@junito1008]

I learned something new...let skip my electricity bill for few months !!

[@brianseverance6490]

Now what about the electric company stealing from the public when they place poles and anchors on private property with out a right of way or an easement?????

[@calvinthedestroyer]

Yeah, that's an old trick back when meters where made from metal. Doesn't work anymore (as far as I know, but it's still illegal to place magnets on them)

[@welcometothejungle8298]

that whole city is a bad acid trip

[@Aff3ct000]

Thanks for the idea on how to best steal power.

[@willofdodge1]

Don't steal power. If you have an old meter put a magnet on it to run slower

[@Thel2552]

If electricity is an living essential, like water.. and required to have it.. Why should people pay for it

[@spin-cthrowshands5553]

You pay for water too though lmao.

[@Thel2552]

@@spin-cthrowshands5553 ummm. No I dont!

[@spin-cthrowshands5553]

@@Thel2552 If you live in America and own a property with water hooked up, you must pay for the water.

[@spin-cthrowshands5553]

@@Thel2552 Your mom and dad pays the water then.

[@Thel2552]

@@spin-cthrowshands5553 if you live in America, there are areas in the country where you can have a well system and NOT be hooked to city or county water.. I don't have a 40 to 90 dollar water bill.. I have a submersible pump hooked through filters. Electric runs the pump WHEN my tanks get low and that's not often.. my cost of water is pennies on the dollar compared to others. Enjoy those water bills.. If you are able to get on a well system, I 100% recommend it

[@raybabinraybabin7777]

People cant afford the high ass prices for power they just keep going up

[@Smegma_pirate]

Thanks for the tips !!!!

[@jimcyr7380]

I ran into this in Louisiana. Entergy is a monopoly. They would shut you off for 25 cents then charge $ 75 to reconnect you. When i left half the state was going to be shut off. I myself went without power for 5 months . Couldent afford an electric bill that costed way more than my rent. If you tell me 2 people in a 1 br house can use over $ 300 in a month. Whole thing was a scam . They got sued and lost miserably

[@xaviermacaluso]

Every heard of people stealing electricity out here

[@tedlahm5740]

Air conditioning 24/7.

[@Dddaaavvviiiddd3]

how much u wanna bet that the peco guys are stealing power too haha

[@paulws81paulws81]

ofc they are

[@lxn_ni1814]

Dddaaavvviiiddd3 from them selves? what?

[@RobynTapps]

Bic Mann peco workers know how to do it right.. Less likely to get caught.

[@gamesofcontent]

Dddaaavvviiiddd3 probably not. They all probably make $100k a year. Not worth jail or court for that and losing your job

[@lxn_ni1814]

i Bee Amazin yea and probs union medical and dental sheit just an apprentice can make 75k a year for there firdt year being one

[@arkatoreus9422]

2:18 I've been an electrician for over 17 years and one of the first things that you learn is you do not use a ladder that can conduct electrical.

[@lonewolf2156]

Arkatoreus haha I don't have to be an electrician to know that.

[@sqike001ton]

So 2 random questions 1 if the power is off on a property and the panel is not viable from the road how are they allowed to enter the property without permission. And 2 people need to Lear to hid it better

[@Steve211Ucdhihifvshi]

yeah so moral of the story is go to a hardwareor electrical parts resaler and buy the proper fuse and cover and your good to go hahahà

[@Tony-og5up]

I'm a retired electrician. Residential, but mainly Commercial Properties is what I did. I promise you. In Tenn. It is a miracle to get any criminal charges filed by L.E> agencies, who say it is a Civil matter with the Power Co. The Power Co. Doesnt give a rats ass, so these people walk and do it right over again. I've seen bolt, screw drivers, metal rods, pieces of aluminum and steel. Copper pipe smashed on each end, etc., etc. Just the seal on the box is a crime to cut it. Even for me. The only time I could cut it, would be an absolute, life and death situation and a call in to the Power Board. We used to pull meters for years, and then set them back in to do service. Not any more. I worked for a couple companies here and there years and years ago who had multi dwelling structures. 2 or 4 apartments, then some fuck wad does this and kills 4 families. About the only thing that can be done is have the Company evict them. If they have very young children, it can take up to or over 90 days. Ive seen power stolen from the next door neighbors in a different structure on light weight extension cords hidden and buried under ground. In over 45 years, I never saw a resident charged with anything. Civil or Criminal and I was licensed in Ohio, Ky., Tenn., Ga. Fla. AL. Not once. There are avenues for these bums to tale in keeping power on. First the Government, Welfare, etc. Then the Power Co will HELP you, work something out. Take the "can't pay bill" from Lost job, sick, etc. and spread it out divided by 5 over the next 5 bills. IF they would just TALK to them instead of just ignoring mail and calls. They also, depending on the area, avenues of Community Action Agencies, etc. They are just too fucking lazy doing and MAKING Meth in their homes. And MOST of these degenerates have infant children. They are eligible for assistance, the Dumb Fuckers. I owned my business and stopped all the residential, except for new construction. In their contracts with my employees they were forbidden to do residential work. At least in writing. If they did, without my knowledge, it was their ass, not mine.

[@vincentfreeman2593]

Idk who you worked for but Duke Energy in KY and Indiana is notorious for turning off electric and offer no " payment plans"

[@stephen1193]

I know a guy who got 10 plus years prison for stealing electricity

[@MasterChief-sl9ro]

You want to screw with them. Just super glue the meter housing down. You need a pry bar to get the meter cover off.

[@bobweiss8682]

The utility companies have various kinds of locks and tamper-evident seals available for use on meters when power theft is suspected.

[@nh3heathen348]

But when they install unsafe smart meters that catch fire, all repair cost is on the home owner. Don't say this has anything to do with safety it's all about money. Also you can lock the enclosure that houses the meter, that is the home owners box. The only thing they own is the meter and the lineside of service cable. The meter socket, box and everything else is yours.

[@MeadKenny]

Lol “dangerous” points camera at cutest pitbull ever

[@Crazywaffle5150]

Mead_Kenny That dog looked really cute lol. Floppy ears.

[@ethan9605]

Pitbulls are the best

[@Jemalacane0]

Pitbulls cause the majority of humans, livestock, and pet deaths during dog attacks.

[@Barsabus]

Mead_Kenny it looks like it wants to bite someone's fingers off

[@insomniacs5138]

tone racism against pitbulls smh

[@brianpayne2478]

I was an apprentice lineman, who worked for jcpl (in New Jersey), pseg (also jersey), nstar (Boston), peco (philly), ppl (quakertown), and I NEVER encountered this on ANY of my jobs (I'm not saying it couldn't happen, it's just not as prevalent as you think)

[@willofdodge1]

The Fuck? are you serious. It's like a weekly occurrence in Colorado

[@jonhnybravo2805]

I had some guy steal my internet and cable line rerouting it. Couldn’t see why I didn’t have hem called the company they had someone come out. My neighbor hooked all it up to his home I pressed charges. So it wouldn’t happen again

[@mandyice8743]

what's sad is electrical companies are doing the same thing just with a printer and a piece of paper!!!

[@zakthompson6312]

It’s sort of funny that they acted as if the dog on the chain is what makes their job dangerous. Utility workers and electricians have dangerous jobs because of electricity.

[@303nitzubishi4]

Not true, after 9 years of doing residential metering and 4 years of commercial and industrial metering I can tell you that ignorant customers are far more dangerous than any high voltage line or aggressive dog. Read some of the other comments here the public are idiots most have no clue where their electricity comes from or how the utility companies operate

[@zakthompson6312]

Adam Abreu, Do you mean that customers are dangerous because of the dangerous things they have done with their equipment before we show up, or is it that they can be aggressive dangerous people? I am an apprentice in Florida. I do residential and commercial service/remodels.

[@Paul-gz5dp]

The only thing that I would think that most people do not know about how a utility operates is all of the rules that are man made. All of the stuff that Tesla, Edison, and many others created is very simple compared to the rules, regulations, and policies that people come up with everyday. Electricity is easy, from Maxwell's equations, to the construction of alternators, generators, inverters, wiring, and so forth the hands on part is quite easy. The billing is another game that is played so that the customer always comes out on the loosing side, and there really is no need for power to cost as much that it does in this country and the part that I understand that it does is because of all the rules in place to make it more difficult to find alternate means of power. Such as where I live, it is a code violation to even have a 400w turbine on my property, and this along with the many other rules make me often what is the point of going on living when I have so many out to put their thumb on me and everything that I do. If the materials and technology were easier for me to access I would leave this F.N. place to all of you that enjoy your rules that do nothing but harm people to wipe out each other and live in some other part of the galaxy.

[@Paul-gz5dp]

Zac, probably because of some of the stupid things that I have fixed and seen in the past such as using duct tape, and masking tape to splice wires. Also when a plug breaks on something stripping the wires and putting them in the socket, and so forth. There are lots of people that are more concerned about their next beer, or getting laid than the many other things that life can provide for us to enjoy. However most often there are many artificial things that people create to prevent others from enjoying the natural world.

[@mrblond750]

So why doesn't pico disconnect at the pole. Problem solved.

[@obiwanceleri]

Remind me when you're in dire straights to just cut the power anyways and treat you like dirt. And maybe hire a TV crew to film to process and spin it so you're the bad guy and the utility a poor victim.

[@PRANKurFACE]

mrblond750 One pole may be power to several homes or units. that's why they have individual meters or points of isolation. In this case the meter was removed but the power still needed to be provided for homes near by.

[@billl605]

ty,

[@crissd8283]

Louis Horvath I feel bad for these people but they are stealing. If you don't want to pay for power have it disconnected or go off grid. I don't owe anyone anything but if I want to donate I should be able to donate to anything I want. They don't have the right to steal.

[@ryanstevenson3241]

You can't go off grid, you will be fined and your home can be taken from you. it's a scam and there is no way to win.

[@righand]

How does the thief get the jumper wire in without being electrocuted?

[@jdogj]

i like how they say we are paying for it!!! what POS crap is that!!

[@criartoros]

I love this, normal people fighting back against these greedy energy companies

[@TheFuckingShitLoL]

As much as I agree with your sentiment, don't think for a second the energy companies won't combat it with the billions they rake in

[@km5405]

why though? why are people this desparate?

[@SexyMuramasa]

How do we combat Peco from stealing from us. I moved out of the Philly area and ordered my electric shut off. I was gone for more then a year all the way in Florida and got a collection call cause Peco says I requested the power turned back on(I didn't) Peco is a bunch of crooks.

[@jmills1549]

Feel your pain, profits at 3x more in UK while we are worried about a cold winter (no heat).... Little wonder so many are forced to find other ways 🇬🇧👍

[@wooow35]

I see all those digital meters (I think they're digital?) And remember how common it is for those to light on fire... you really have to wonder if hotwiring the leads are REALLY that 'dangerous' when they're installing little digital alarm clocks to reroute the grid into people's houses...

[@TheIndustrialphreak]

We as a nation need to re-evaluate what we value and deam important, When we realize that power and energy is abundant all around us we will stop allowing these jackboots energy companies from endangering our environment, wallets, and lives of our families. Our founding fathers didnt muteny against the english monarchy just to have our own citizens to fill in the vacume of irrational energy/resource racketeering.

[@BassManBobBassCovers]

Great idea!

[@unknownperson2422]

There is no way to quantify the amount of electricity that is being made or used. The electric company makes it and its there. It doesnt exhaust like water or oil. So long as the turbines are making electricity. Its available to be used. Once the turbine stops spinning. The electricity stops.

[@goaliedude32]

The fuel that goes into making the turbine spin? Nice try though

[@obiwanceleri]

What I really hate is journalists that wilfully omit part of the story; no one can honestly say stealing power is morally right. But to represent power utilities as poor old victims is beyond repugnant. - How many people were forced to get a smart meter without their consent? (by break-ins or with an armed sheriff) - Why didn't the utilities ask the user's permission to gather *private* information (it's an intrusion into our houses)? - Do these power utilities engage in speculation? - Do they have money in tax heavens? - Do they sell info gathered by the smart meter to third parties? - Is that same info given to authorities without a subpoena and without informing the user? - Do certain utilities form a monopoly and do they use that power to abuse consumers (think Enron)? If you're a *real* journalist, you cover BOTH SIDES of the story. You don't crawl on your hands and knees like Joe Holden.

[@obiwanceleri]

I have to agree with you. I've been boycotting the mass medias since 2001 (guess why). I do get my news but I try not to ever give them money or clicks. And I sure as hell don't trust them blindly ;)

[@hc8714]

They do not need your consent. Before you get all your liberal shit feeling up, ready your contract. Meters are theirs and they do whatever they want.

[@testy462]

Oh my god, not this smart meter nonsense again. I have been an industrial electrician for almost 20 years. They cannot, in any conceivable way, collect more data on you than the information they are precisely saying they are collecting. The amount of power you are using at any one moment, and the power usage over time. It can NOT collect what devices are running. It can't even reliably tell you if someone is at home or not (what if I leave but start the dryer? Or have my TV on for my pet? Or set a delay to both the washer and the dishwasher? It simply put does not work the way the conspiracy theory nuts think. Its really so hard to accept that a company is using technology to eliminate unneeded workers (meter readers) in exchange for a nearly free (once setup) system? And who in god's name is the power company going to sell this supposed information to? Its of anyone's interest (other than the company for power leveling useage) when I use more or less power? And even if it possibly could monitor what devices you are using (it cannot) who would give a crap? Oh high there Mr evil corporation leader. I have data on a couple million households that says at 5PM their power usage goes up and they are home. Want to buy it for a million cablillion dollars? What the hell for?

[@themonkeyhand]

A real journalist doesn't mix a story about illegal power tapping with a story about smart meters. It's called sticking to the subject.

[@chevytruckman34]

You can NOT possibly watch this video and start asking these sort of questions. Like these people, who ARE stealing electricity, need to justify why they stuck a beer can in the power posts to continue a service that they refuse to pay for. They refuse to pay for it because they don't have a job. They get their money from the government. It's called welfare. Outside of that, I know people are always going to do what they need to do to survive. I certainly don't agree with power companies and the whole smart meter thing. These are obviously condemned homes. Bottom line, squatters will squat. And steal to survive. They need counseling; And a job. Reporters do what they do. Just like the weather guy. He will always have a job. Do you want to know why? Because you can never predict the weather. Hope you understand metaphors.

[@WezleyB]

3.6 million is nothing for the large power company.. let the poor people have lights..

[@testy462]

50 dollars a month is nothing to someone that has a job. GIve me 50 dollars a month. I accept paypal, its nothing to you. Let me have free soda.

[@werdlyfe9577]

@@testy462 This comment made me laugh so hard. Thank you.

[@HIDLad001]

I can only imagine what it would be like to find out that an ENTIRE HOUSE had been stealing power with a SINGLE PIECE OF 14 GAUGE WIRE.

[@tedlahm5740]

Smart meter removed from socket AUTOMATICALLY alerts the power company?

[@HIDLad001]

@@tedlahm5740 Yes.

[@jeremyday7569]

Fuck that!! Electricity should be free like it was meant to be.

[@truthfilterforyoutube8218]

The cost is to the big corporations that pocket billions

[@Someoldguy69]

Surely the home owner could refuse them access as they don't have a warrant?

[@tommyparo]

Tormented Darkness I think there's a law that since the power box belongs to the power company they are allowed access to their property regardless of the home owners feelings about it... But don't quote me because I can't remember where I heard about that

[@ronaldckrausejr7762]

Probable cause. Quite easy to trace any fragment of power and exactly where it is going to. Also, any utility line is the property of the utility - up to the point where it enters any structure

[@303nitzubishi4]

Warrant is necessary for investigating suspected criminal activity. Electric theft by way of a delinquent account is considered a civil matter and since the meter and line are owned by the utility it can be accessed due to an easement, no warrant necessary

[@markmoreiras7649]

I think if it is visible from outside the property it is ok. using heat vision is does require a warrant but in this case the wires were visible from the street.

[@nerys71]

ike fun it's illegal to have all their property removed nice catch 22 how about talking in a civilized manner

[@smellygrundlemediagroup3552]

Would suck if my power went out. I have to keep my real doll charged at all times.

[@garbo8962]

Old timer told me that he used to use a clothes pole to hook onto exposed PECO wire after it got dark during the depression.

[@craig4451]

While I could never condone this, the real thieves are the utility companies !! Those CEOs should all be jailed or bring back the electric chair for them.

[@StudioErza929]

I bet you get shut off all the time lol

[@maniac9354]

Craig They go to the poor side of town why don't they go to the rich side of town???

[@jlkulbacki]

Maniac935 no need.. they are paying for the power. Also prob at work

[@panchovilla5767]

Craig you're 100%right I pay $20dollars in electricity and $90 dollar's in taxes and transportation fees.

[@lxn_ni1814]

Craig wrong

[@LeanandG13]

technically its not stealing if you are stealing it from real thieves

[@jumpinjojo]

LeanandG13 You're*, not your.

[@PuppyLuvU2]

joseph migliore sause

[@jumpinjojo]

PuppyLuvU2 Sausage

[@Patchuchan]

If they charge something like $25 to $50 to turn a smart meter with remote disconnect back on then yes they are stealing as that is practically zero extra cost for them vs $20 to send a lineman out to replace a dumb meter.

[@daimonwilcox]

the hacking community is gonna find a way to hack the smart meters and turn it on and then make it look as if electricity isnt being used which is harder to detect. people have already tapped into the meters to view usage. if its got an os of some sort its going to be hacked.

[@tesstkohls7448]

When your electricity is free, you can afford tons of expensive food for your pit bull.

[@fabianstonepsn6866]

Bet they get blocked from using solar and being off grid

[@volatilesky]

That's deplorable. Just awful. I mean what kind of idiot does that. Everyone knows you dig down and tap into the line underground before it reaches the box.

[@MikeBaxterABC]

Why is the power company so LAZY ... cut the wire at the pole!

[@MrCoolibe]

im assuming its not that easy? 30% of them are stealing the power there, then they have to reattach them when they want to continue service with $$, besides, depending on the laws there, its not as easy as cutting the wires i assume, here in nebraska from "what ive heard" power companys cant deny the elderly power in the winter.

[@TheUserid82]

They do cut the wires at the pole/underground but the people just use what ever wire they can get to hook it back up. Generally they wait till the 2nd or 3rd time they catch them jumping at the meter to remove everything to the main line as they have to pay to put it back when it comes time to hook that house back up. The wire used from the pole is around $1/foot plus labor and other odds and ends needed so if they have to replace 45 houses for the 30% of the houses they talked about that is around $14,000. As for why the wire is so expensive it has a lot of copper or aluminum in it and the insulation has to last years of sun exposure yet still be able to flex in the wind.

[@niyablake]

It might only be a dollar a foot , but I know some Electronic companies charge a $1000 a foot.

[@MikeBaxterABC]

Good points guys .. thanks for the info!

[@303nitzubishi4]

The labor cost of cutting at the pole or in the pedestal is exponentially more than just pulling the meter and securing the socket. Most everyone in this comment section is bitching about costs, imagine how much more it would cost the customer who got shut off if they had to pay for a crew to climb up and reconnect at the pole rather than just having a guy come plug a new meter in a socket

[@johnmartindale5257]

Oh, No! That poor monopoly is getting a taste of their own medicine. God forbid! Lmao.

[@johnnymcblaze]

I was born and raised in Chester. I live in texas now. BEST. DECISION. EVER.

[@longrange425]

they're like a gang "protecting their teritory"

[@rc9597]

Aye blood I'm in BGE territory fuck PECO 😂

[@nofuture6881]

But those squatters need thier power. To charge thier smartphone,s , laptops & power big screen tv's! Lol.

[@TeufortCTF]

how the fuck do you charge a tv

[@gregoryguza4623]

Read it again. He says “power big screen TVs”.

[@chevytruckman34]

Ya, what he said.

[@alberts7111]

So if you dont have money you shouldnt have phones and a tv as a gift. Get real.

[@Alcoholic_Nerd]

Albert S If it was a gift you should sell it and pay your fucking bills.... tfe

[@Treppo153]

I cant believe this is happening in America too!! Okay here is the advice use two cube inches magnet ,stick it to the meter (hide it too). This will cut meter speed by half.

[@horseblinderson4747]

This is PECO everyone's taking about they sponsor every sports and weather segment they can get their hands on.

[@Crazywaffle5150]

When you are to poor to afford power. I don't blame them.

[@meyaenyo2593]

Maybe the power company needs to lower it's cost to people, most people don't want to steal but will if it's causing their family undue hardships. In todays society you have to have electricity

[@Patchuchan]

Power definitely can be cheaper in many places. Some utilities have too many administrative costs they do not want to cut. At least here they're not taking every case to court but pushing the city for subsidies for the poor would curb theft and the cost of repairs to the infrastructure it incurs. Low income housing needs to be more energy efficient just adding new windows and insulation to those old buildings could cut the energy used in half. Then there's over dependence on natural gas turbines which are good for peaking but not cost effective for base generation if a large natural gas deposit is not nearby. The smart meters probably cost the utility more money then the old ones because they're more inclined to turn people"s power off which encourages more theft which cost them money plus they have a shorter service life. Some analog meters have been in service for 40 years good luck having a smart meter last 10 or 15 years esp if the designer decided it's a good idea to use aluminum capacitors in such a rough service environment. Last we need more nuclear power but in the form safer CANDU and molten salt reactors.

[@TheZombiesoul]

Was that a flux capacitor?

[@Vitalinformation101]

"Theft". I call it Robin hood

[@BUTTALUV]

If they didn't charge so much ppl wouldn't have to steal

[@Dagreenberg68]

its just a sad sad situation. I am not saying stealing is right, some how these people need to live.... not really for socialism but their has got to be a better way.

[@Patchuchan]

The Amish also have 19th century style homes with wood and coal fired stoves for heat.

[@Patchuchan]

Well you're a dumb ass since you do not even know the difference between your and you're. I never said I expected my neighbour to resort to living like the 19th century I was just answering KamakazeTaco that the Amish have homes that are designed to maintain a comfortable temperature without utilities and they have other solutions for sanitation so their situation is nowhere as bad as someone in the city living without utility service.. But instead of politely stating a point you had to immediately start with the crude language and name calling.

[@Dagreenberg68]

Patchuchan

[@Paul-gz5dp]

David, the problem is the moral sense there is more than one kind of stealing. However our laws in this country and many others are written by rich people that see no difference between taking an apple or something else that someone needs to eat and stealing someones tools out of their work truck. Personally myself and many other in the world see that as two different things morally. Stealing food, medicine, water, and other things that they do not have that they need to live is wrong and should not be punished by anything more than requiring a little work be done as compensation to the person that they took the stuff from. However taking things from people that deprive them of their ability to be able to function is completely different as that is something that needs to be treated more along the lines as horse stealing 150 years ago. That is because taking what people need to be able to function is not all that much different than killing the person outright. It is like stealing food from babies, and taking the medicines from people that they need to live, or the air and water that they need to live. I don't care of some homeless person takes some of my water that I pay for to fill up a water bottle long as they turn it off when they are done filling up their container, or even if they take some of my low hanging fruit when I am growing things. That is because I can easily get more and they need it to live. However there are some creatures that I have killed in the past that were taking some of the things that I was growing, they were roof rats. If they had just taken a few and ate the whole thing I would not have had a problem with them, but instead they took a bite out of every one and nearly destroyed everything, wasting what I had so nobody could eat what I was growing. There is such a thing as sharing of food, and other resources so that the less fortunate can partake in what we have created. When people get what they need, and even things in nature without wasting there is no problem. When there is a problem is when there is greed so that one hogs everything for themselves, or there are those that are wasting what others could use. Another problem is taking from others so that they are not able to survive, and if someone looses 1% of production to theft that is not much and can be easily overlooked because often there is more loss on the high voltage insulators than that when the utility does not clean the insulators on the poles. Also in manufacturing there is always more than 1% loss in raw materials when making things, and that is always written off and figured into the calculations. So a small amount of loss is only a problem to a penny pincher that is more concerned about something that they would normally throw away and considers someone using their garbage as theft. I would only consider getting something out of the garbage as theft when it is used as a means to take something from the person, such as for marketing, or as a reason to break into their home or take their income. Another is their intellectual property that they should have burned instead of throwing in the trash.

[@Paul-gz5dp]

ROTAXD, many can't get a job because there are no place that would hire them if there were jobs. We used to have a country where people could easily get work. The only reasons that we do not have the long lines as in the 1930's is because of the social programs in this country that often not only are handouts to people but jobs for government workers. That means that the tax dollars and money created out of thin air at the FED are used to provide people income that are not able to work because the jobs that we once had have been shipped to other parts of the world where people earn less in a day than it costs us for a meal at McDonalds. True it would be nice if we could get all of the people a job and other means of people supporting ourselves, but it will not work in this global economy with regulations that do not allow people to live in ways that they can afford. Tiny homes and other such things would be a possible solution, as there are many that even live in tents along the rivers here in California now because that is all they can afford. I know if they were allowed to build a small shack to live in they would prefer that, but it is not allowed in our country even though that is all they can afford. We are through regulations forcing people to be dependent on government programs because of laws and regulations. Many things need to change in this world before we can again be able to live by our own work, as it more often than not is against the law.

[@tulaconalas]

a company went to check my house cause the counter showed up a great deceased on consumption, i showed them my solar and low consumption installation and they were surprised....they just left.

[@Engineer9736]

In the USA they dont use seals on such meters? Here in NL you have to cut a seal to get to the meter connections, which they will find out, and then you have a massive fine and what not for kind of trouble. I just looked it up, it costs 660 euros if they find your meter with a broken seal on it. Thats 811 USD.

[@gchsbus]

Maybe.... if Electricity was more affordable, maybe these low income people could actually afford it. These admin fees and all these other fees that are just part of this bill drive the cost up. Then there is the charges for usage that are also high. I have a small home and I use between 400 to 600 Kwh per month and my bill is still well over $100. Absolutely unacceptable. I get charged over $30 before I even get charged for usage. These admin fees should be on a sliding scale with a maximum. This is ridiculous. Just charge me for my usage and make it reasonable. It doesn't have to be complicated !!!

[@AndyFromm]

looks like most of these could afford satellite tv...when people steal power, it drives up the cost for paying customers

[@gchsbus]

That's not the point. The point is its expensive

[@AndyFromm]

stealing drives up the price of anything for the paying customers.

[@meyaenyo2593]

Bet you when they stop the theft the cost will remain high because they know they can get away with it, high costs came before stealing, theft is a result of the high costs.

[@Patchuchan]

They're probably stealing the satellite TV as well.

[@josejose-gw1pd]

Electricity prices are way to high and we know they ain't need to bee

[@GREENLALI]

Why does the city send code inspector to check the properties?

[@Monster12255]

The utility company came to my house with a cop to my house one and they though that I was stealing power for 2 months. It was that the meter was broken. They replaced it for free and I had power for free for 2 months.

[@fablethefox]

Remember when electricity was first discovered? Nikola tesla wanted is to have free electricity but at least pay for some thing to harness and use that energy. While his rival Jefferson believed that ppl should pay for electricity just as we do now. Tesla was a man with our interest in mind while Jefferson didn’t. Jefferson even went as far as trying to sabotage Tesla. And the final result was not in nikolas favor either. He died poor and depressed while Jefferson lived it up by forging the way of paying for shit like electricity

[@KB4QAA]

Tesla also lied to and defrauded his investors during his 'free electricity" scheme. Nothing is free and even electricity must be paid for.

[@johnny50424]

1984 you are lying.

[@hurricanesteve65]

DragonSkooldx,it was Edison not Jefferson

[@fablethefox]

hurricanesteve65 I always switched up the names on those two for some reason

[@JaakkoF]

Free electricity? Then where the fuck it comes from and why are you not doing it? Oh yeah, because the answer is "magic".

[@CourtofRecord]

i worked for utility companies and EVERY single Person in these Videos JUST COMMITTED A TRESPASS, the LAW is ONCE it is on a HOME YOU can NOT TOUCH it all MUST be DISCOed From the POLE ....( It Crosses the PROPERTY LINE they can NOT go in WITHOUT CONSENT) , funny how Poor People Do NOT know the Law

[@jmowreader9555]

Karl, if you had actually worked for a utility company you would know all real property is encumbered by a right-of-way easement for utility companies. But since I don't believe you've ever worked a day in your life, all that is immaterial.

[@303nitzubishi4]

It's called an easement and you agree to it when you use the companies services. If you don't like it then build your own power plant out of solar panels or a generator or something and don't use the electric companies services.

[@CourtofRecord]

an easement is so they can Put up a POLE or a Underground Pedestal AND AND AND ELECTRIC Companies are PRIVATE and NOT owned by the PUBLIC, they are NOT Part of the Gov't ONLY Regulated by the State Gov't...geeeeez Who are You People and where do You get Your BELIEFS from?

[@CourtofRecord]

EASEMENT means they can access certain areas, a Utilities Company is no different than PEPSI, or IBM, they are PRIVATE FOR PROFIT entity, ONCE a meter is on YOUR Property/House/Body they need your consent to TOUCH it, or it is a Trespass, just because PEPSI puts a Soda Machine in a Store doesn't mean at 3 in the morning they could just come into a CLOSED LOCKED store and work on THEIR Machine, without the property owner or manager' s CONSENT, it's a TRESPASS, ..... I guess you don't understand the word consent, I guess when your "Daddy-for-,the-Day" snuggled up to you every night, he didn't teach you the word consent , Did he, ???? or DID HE and You Did Consent? Oh you're a dirty little w**** just like your mama huh? kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIKbqXyfZZmMb7M Woman PULLS GUN on Elect. Co. /Meter Man and WINS! PUBLIC Easement means it's O.K. to disconnect ( DISCO) from the POLE, ONLY, ( but the Workers are Too And lazy to climb the pole anymore, in a workman compensation payouts are enormous when they fall off or get injured on the Poles, ) Call Utility Co. "LEGAL" Dept and Say YOUR HOME WAS TRESPASSED Upon! Learn the LAW! i did DISCOs for a "SHORT" period of time , it's WAY toooooo Dangerous of a Job, probably most dangerous day-to-day job there is xxx..

[@CourtofRecord]

I CANT WAIT for a non-Paying Customer to get Electrocuted, by HOT-Wiring the Meter Box, i will show them how to SUE the POWER Company for NEGLIGENCE for LEAVING LIVE-Power running, so close to the GROUND...ooh and IF your METER Fails THEY DISCONNECT it FROM the POLE or PEDESTAL, lets Put it this way IF THIS Video was in a CITY WITH UNDERGROUND CABLE they would LIFT the Damn Cover on the ROADSIDE and DISCO the NON-Paying Customers, OBVIOUSLY This City has AERIAL POLES where they are TOOOOOO FAT AND LAZY to Climb !! and HONESTLY they have CONTRACTORS (such as i was ) to CLIMB POLES so IF i Died or Fell OFF the UTILITIES did NOT have to PAY for My DISABILITY INSURANCE, THEY DO NOT LET their IN-House GUYS Climb Poles , for INSURANCE REASONS.

[@buckbuck9225]

How much does one fighter jet cost?

[@shane_gentle]

Do they even have the right to go on those properties without permission from the owners?