The City of Las Cruces Utilities Department has experienced a recent rash of vandalism to its natural gas regulator stations.
In the past week, three regulator stations within the City of Las Cruces’ Natural Gas distribution system have been vandalized. The perpetrator(s) cut locks and scaled fence barriers to gain access.
The items taken are the deep cycle back-up batteries that provide monitoring of the gas system. The inability to monitor the system severely compromises the system and may cause an overpressure situation, which would lead to a disruption in service to customers.
Additionally, entry into a natural gas regulator station by an unqualified individual or an individual entering for the sole purpose of vandalizing has a high probability of damaging the station leading to an unexpected release of natural gas and/or gas explosion. The intentional damage of a Natural Gas System is a federal offense, protected by Title 18 USC 1366.
The City of Las Cruces is committed to providing safe and reliable delivery of natural gas to homes and businesses in the Las Cruces area while ensuring the safety of our employees. Any individual who intentionally damages our system will be prosecuted to the maximum extent allowed by the law.
Anyone who witnesses someone tampering with a regulator station is asked to call 911 and/or the City of Las Cruces Utilities 24-hour Dispatch Center at 575/526-0500.