KINGSTON, Jamaica – Electricity power-supply company Jamaica Public Service (JPS) says that it remains committed to its fight against the rampant theft of electricity.

The company drew flak this week and was told by governing body the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) to discontinue its strategy of disconnecting supply to communities where over 70 per cent of residents were stealing electricity.

However, the JPS says that its anti-theft campaign will continue

On Wednesday the company carried out anti-theft operations in Windsor Heights and Windsor Meadows, as well as Big Lane and Little Lane in Central Village, St Catherine.  

The operation yielded 1,085 throw-ups, while 13 illegal meter connections were found, the JPS reported.  No arrests were made.

Also, on Tuesday (May 13), a pharmacy operator from the very popular Barnett Street area in Montego Bay, St James, was arrested and charged for the illegal abstraction of electricity.

According to the JPS an audit of the meter indicated that the operator was still using electricity, after the service had been disconnected for non-payment. The pharmacy operator has already made payment arrangements with JPS and failed to honour any of them, the power supply company said in a release.   

In the meantime the JPS said that people wishing to report theft, including streetlight breaches, may send a text message to 292-7483 (CYA RITE), or send an email to: stoptheft@jpsco.com.