LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- With lights out on interstates because of thieves stealing copper wiring, the Louisville Metro Police Department is hoping to address safety issues using new technology.
It's been a persistent issue citywide for the past few years, leaving interstates dark overnight.
But during its bi-weekly press conference Thursday afternoon, LMPD said officers arrested someone trying to steal the wiring within seven minutes using a new system that detects when the light poles on highways are tampered with.
LMPD Chief Paul Humphrey said implementing this technology is the first step in preventing the thefts from continuing.
"We understand that violent crime is our priority, but when you're talking about thefts of this type, that interrupt and disrupt critical infrastructure, we have to take that seriously," Humphrey said. "We have to put resources into it, so we definitely are and we're using technology like these tamper systems to alert us to these thefts, so we can catch them in the act. And so these criminals need to be put on notice that you're next."
The technology, which Humphrey called a tamper system, helps the officers respond to the thefts of copper wiring, as well as wiring that helps with telecommunications along the interstates, as they are happening. It was used Tuesday when police arrested Joseph Halbert, 42, after he was caught in the act.
According to an arrest citation, police were called to I-64 West at the 22nd Street exit just before 3:30 a.m. after the system detected two different poles had been tampered with at 3:20 a.m. and 3:24 a.m.
Officers were on scene by 3:27 a.m., where they came into contact with Halbert "coming directly from a hole in the fence separating the highway from city streets." He was taken into custody after police confirmed he had been caught on surveillance cameras tampering with the interstate light poles, "which are defined as key infrastructure assets," police said.
Several pairs of pliers and an Allen wrench, items police said are commonly used as tools in burglaries, were seen on the ground at the time of Halbert's arrest. Police said he told them he "was aware of people stealing copper from the poles and was curious as to what they had been stealing, leading to him tampering with the poles." Officers at the scene noted the bases of the poles, where the copper wire is held to keep the interstate light on, had been tampered with. That can cause the entire pole and light to become inoperable, police said.
Halbert was charged with two counts of criminal mischief, possession of burglary tools, and trespassing. According to court records, he pleaded not guilty to those charges in arraignment court Wednesday and his bond was set at $5,000 cash. He remains at Metro Corrections in downtown Louisville, awaiting his next court appearance on June 5 for a preliminary hearing.
Last September, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet used a $200,000 federal grant to install solar-powered lighting along Interstates 64 and 264 in place of copper wiring.
To replace all of the copper wiring that has been stolen across Jefferson County, KYTC said it would need at least $1 million to do the work.
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