LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is urging residents to treat utility workers with respect after two employees were "threatened verbally and with a firearm" while performing duties at a Westside home, according to the utility.
The incident happened while two field employees were carrying out a scheduled water shutoff at a private residence. The workers were confronted and threatened by a customer while attempting to access utility equipment on the property, LADWP said this week.
The employees were not injured. LADWP said both workers immediately moved to a safe location and contacted authorities, including LADWP Security and the Los Angeles Police Department, officials said.
The utility emphasized that its crews have a legal right to access department-owned equipment on private property, including water and electric meters, power poles and related infrastructure needed to maintain service.
“It’s a growing problem, and we want to communicate the importance of employee safety and treating our field employees and crews respectfully,” LADWP Director of Advanced Technologies Infrastructure Kevin Mount said in a statement.
Mount acknowledged that concerns about scams and impostors may make some residents hesitant to allow workers onto their property, but said hostility and threats are unacceptable.
“If in doubt, you can verify our visit by requesting to see an official badge or call us directly before granting access,” he said.
LADWP said field crews regularly enter neighborhoods to inspect meters, perform maintenance, verify service conditions and initiate or discontinue utility service when necessary.
The department warned that threats or violence directed at utility workers will be taken seriously and said it is working with law enforcement partners to strengthen employee safety measures and expand public outreach efforts.
Customers who are uncertain whether someone at their property is a legitimate LADWP employee can verify identification by calling the LADWP Customer Contact Center at 1-800-DIAL-DWP.
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