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Crime & Safety

SmartMeter Returns Met with Capitola Police Response

An attempt to return SmartMeters to the utility attracted nearly as many cops as protesters.

Ten customers and almost as many from local media were removed from Pacific Gas and Electric's Wednesday by six Capitola police officers after the customers attempted to give unwanted SmartMeters back.

After several of the protesters spoke to the press about why they had replaced their wireless meters with analog meters they entered the office around 1 p.m. They waited while a few customers in line finished paying their bills. But before they had a chance to state their purpose for the visit, several police officers arrived and told everyone they needed to come outside.

The office was then closed, and customers arriving to take care of other business were turned away by police.

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"These are just people who came down to take care of business and for some reason, PG&E felt it necessary to close the office, kick people out, and call about half the Capitola Police Department to come out," said Stop Smart Meters! Director Joshua Hart.

Hart was . 

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PG&E spokesperson Greg Snapper was surprised to hear about the situation. He said it is a safety hazard and a crime for anyone other than authorized PG&E employees or contractors to work on their equipment. They urge customers to call PG&E to work on equipment, but Snapper said there are no plans to remove any previously installed SmartMeters.

"We don't plan on removing any SmartMeters. We have installed over 8.8 million and have a goal of 10 million by summer 2012," he said.

Come January however, PG&E will come to a decision on the SmartMeter opt-out proposal, which could give customers access to alternatives, Snapper said.

Peggy Lindsey and others say that they called certified electricians to remove their meters, something that is routine for anyone who does remodels of residential or commercial buildings. She had felt symptoms such as ringing in her ears and trouble sleeping when she had a SmartMeter, but said she is fine after having an analog meter that she bought for $50 installed instead.

Lindsey rejected the argument that the SmartMeters are untouchable under private property rights, because she said the Wellington employee who installed her meter entered her private property against her will.

Officers told the press that the sergeant inside the office would address the situation, but that sergeant refused to comment after speaking to PG&E employees.

Testimonies from customers and interactions with the police are included in the video above.

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