PEOPLE caught stealing electricity will soon be facing stiffer penalties, including getting a criminal record, when convicted.

State minister in the Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Julian Robinson, made the announcement during the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) for a pilot community renewal programme, STEP-UP (Skills, Training, Education and Progress through Utility Partnership) held at the University of the West Indies Regional Headquarters in Mona.

Robinson said that Government has put harsher penalties and fines in the new Electricity Act. He was, however, not able to provide the specific details of the new sanctions when questioned. He told the Jamaica Observer that individuals who are convicted for electricity theft will indeed be getting a criminal record.

“We will do everything to put an end to electricity theft,” said Robinson, while noting that the Government was serious about playing its part in addressing the issue, which is one of the most pressing problems for the utility company.

At the same time, Robinson said it must be noted that not everyone who steals electricity in inner-city communities was doing so because they want to steal.

According to Robinson, he has held many meetings with residents in his constituency to speak to them about electricity theft and to urge them to stop, and the general consensus was that most were doing so because they did not have a choice and not because they wanted to.

“The reality is that many of them can’t connect to grid,” he said, noting that many cannot find the $50,000 that is needed to wire and pass their houses.

Others, he said, do not have proof of ownership of their homes or is renting while there are those who simply cannot afford to pay the bill.

However, the state minister said Government has devised a programme to assist all of them and are thinking of other measures to assist, such as putting in a component in PATH (Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education).

The minister said some residents in his constituency have already begun to get help with wiring of their homes, and that others will be getting assistance in other areas.

Under the pilot programme seven communities in Kingston and St Andrew — McGregor Gardens, Payne Land, Denham Town, Whitfield Town, Bayfarm Villa, Arnette Gardens and Majesty Gardens — will get help in accessing and regularising electricity.