Just when I begin to forget about copper
theft, I watch the local news and realize that copper thieves are still out
there. And they just keep getting bolder. Yesterday, my local news here in San Francisco had two
stories about copper thefts that wreaked quite a bit of
havoc.
First, the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), which
transports commuters from the city to the east and south bay neighborhoods, was
crippled when copper wiring was stolen from the tracks. These wires power the
system and have been ripped out at least three times in the last year.
According to news outlets, repairing the damage is going to cost approximately
$90,000, a cost that is going to come from
taxpayers.
Taxpayers are also going to have to pay for the
copper theft that occurred in Vallejo, Calif., northeast of San Francisco.
Thieves stole copper wiring out of traffic signals in that city. Also,
according to the Times-Herald, Vallejo
has seen 77 of its city lights damaged due to copper theft.
These
are just two examples of how copper is still a valuable commodity for thieves.
However, it is occurring everywhere. Just type in “copper theft” to a Google
news search and you will find examples all over the country. And it is not just
happening on municipal railways and street lights. Even homes, churches and
schools are targets because of their outdoor condensing
units.
So what is the solution? Have you seen copper theft
occur in your area? And is there anything you have been able to do to stop the
theft from occurring?
