This morning I was reading an article from one of the Birmingham News blogs about copper thefts being on the rise. Basically many Birmingham area businesses are having to broaden their security systems due to frequent thefts of copper wiring and piping from heating and cooling systems, windows, doors, plumbing, etc.
And it’s not just the businesses being hit:
And after a Birmingham Red Cross warehouse was hit twice recently by copper thieves, agency officials said the next warehouse will have additional security in place to monitor both the building and the facility’s heating and cooling machinery.
…
Red Cross spokesman Chris Osborne said that when the agency finds another warehouse it will require that it be equipped with a security system to deter theft of copper wiring and piping.
Who in the HELL steals from Red Cross? That’s depraved.
Why copper?
Copper is easy to find, it’s in nearly everything (wiring, pipes, etc.). It also sells for almost $3 a pound. And because most recycling companies tend to deal in cash, it leaves a difficult trail for police to follow.
What I’d like to know is: how long will it be before thieves start striking Suburbia? How long before OUR outdoor plumbing and heating/cooling systems start getting ripped apart by these low-lifes and we have to start broadening the home security system to include those? IF it’s even possible for home systems!?
(I’m sure a quick call to ADT home security could answer that.)
A funny thought strikes me: what’s to guarantee that getting an ADT home security system would stop thieves? (or whatever brand! I only name them because I’ve had very good dealings with this company.)
In order to monitor an outdoor perimeter, some system equipment would have to be outside. Wouldn’t the security system USE copper wiring? A smart thief could shut it off first then strip everything (leaving your home vulnerable).
Good thing it’s still legal to bare arms here.
Wes
as hot is it has been, someone touchs my AC unit and they are going to strangled with the copper wires. :evil:
Nicki
I hear ya there!
Unrelated: I saw all of your replies today and thought, “Good God, someone was busy today!”
ROFL!
Doc
Good thing it’s still legal to bare arms here.
Bear arms. Bare arms need to be shaved to be shiny :-)
I don’t understand why anyone would steal copper but stealing from the Red Cross is just evil.
DualDenz
bah, nothing an outhouse and a diesel generator can’t fix :P
Coppertheft is on the rise here in Holland too, mostly lighting protection on large buildings and such.
Kenn
The copper is used in meth labs — it’s long been a problem in areas of the state where the labs are in abundance, and the problem is only recently moving closer to urban areas.
Uncle Monster
The metal termites trashed my physician’s HVAC unit last year.
His unit was at ground level but having an air conditioner on
the roof is no guarantee of security. A number of churches in
the area have had their rather large and very expensive AC
units chopped up and carted off by metal thieves. My friend and
I recently replaced an old 5 ton (60,000 btu) rooftop machine
for a customer and we were both stunned by the amount of
money we received for the copper, aluminum and steel from the scraped unit.
[8~{} Uncle Monster