As it happens, in our neck of the woods (also Pa.) the local electrical utility actually admitted that the only reason that they had kept a non-essential course of overhead wires/towers electrified, despite its lack of use, was to deter thieves.

Alas, one is not permitted to lay potentially lethal "traps" to deter or prevent criminals and crime. (For example, rigging a 12g shotgun to shoot someone who has broken through a door is a no-no.)
Thus, our local utility had to pay personal injury damages to two who admitted that they had been burned half to death while trying to steal the copper from the wires.

On the other side of the world, virtually the entire electrical infrastructure of rural Russia was stolen during the 90's.

Wacky world.

D