$10,000 Reward FOR INFORMATION
HomeWorks Offering $10,000 Reward For Information About Gunshot Damage To Electric Infrastructure
HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative is seeking the public’s help in finding the person(s) responsible for 14 separate incidents of gunshot damage to the co-op’s transformers, regulators, and other electric system equipment over the past year. The incidents, which have taken place in Clinton, Eaton, and Ionia counties, have caused over $250,000 in damage and resulted in electric outages for HomeWorks members. The co-op is offering a $10,000 reward to anyone providing information that leads to the apprehension and conviction of the responsible party.
“Intentionally damaging electric infrastructure is a serious felony offense,” says HomeWorks CEO Chris O’Neill. “Providing safe and reliable electricity to our members is our top priority, and we take anything that disrupts our ability to do that very seriously. We are working with the Michigan State Police and local law enforcement agencies to put a stop to these repeated crimes as soon and as safely as possible.”
Anyone with information about these crimes should report it to Crime Stoppers of Mid-Michigan at 517-483-STOP (7867). Crime Stoppers does accept anonymous tips. The majority of the incidents have occurred in the overnight hours, so members of the public who hear gunshots overnight are asked to immediately report it via their county’s central dispatch non-emergency line.
For more information on these gunshot incidents, please view the system map showing where the incidents have taken place.
Please refer any press or public inquiries to HomeWorks Communications Manager Charly Markwart at 517-647-1210 or cmarkwart@homeworks.org.
“Intentionally damaging electric infrastructure is a serious felony offense. Providing safe and reliable electricity to our members is our top priority, and we take anything that disrupts our ability to do that very seriously.”
Map of Damages
Our History
Born Out of Necessity and Ingenuity
HomeWorks was founded in 1937 by farmers in Eaton, Ingham and Jackson counties to fulfill a need for electricity in rural areas left behind by the big-city utilities. Today, we’re proud to still be serving you and your neighbors in that same Cooperative Spirit. We’ve grown a lot over the past eight decades, but we’re still driven by the same guiding principle, to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of you, our members. It is our pleasure to serve you.
Continuing The Tradition
In 1999, our members voiced a need for quality propane service, and our subsidiary, Tri-County Propane, was born. Today, we’re following that same path again with the development of HomeWorks Connect. Through this project, we’re working to bring broadband access to all of our members across rural mid-Michigan at a time when it’s needed most.
Our Service Area
Through the years, we’ve expanded our service area into parts of 13 counties across rural mid-Michigan. For fair member representation, the service area is divided into seven districts. For a detailed breakdown of our service area by county, district and township, click here.
Our Mission
The mission of HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative is to provide our members and customers with energy, comfort, and communication solutions that will enhance their quality of life.
Our Vision
To provide resources to encourage growth of safe and enjoyable places to live, work, and play throughout the rural mid-Michigan communities we serve.
Member Controlled
Service Oriented
Community Focused
“The forward march of electric cooperatives has an even more profound significance in our fight to preserve democracy.”
– Franklin D. Roosevelt
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