Copper Prices Are Rising

Copper prices are rising which means reports of copper thefts are too. Thieves all over the country are targeting private homes, businesses, new construction, and even cities. They are committing these thefts at all hours of the day and night so it’s important to know what to look for. Here in North Carolina our hotspots are near Pinehurst, Winston-Salem, and Asheville yet that doesn’t mean you won’t witness a crime, or become a victim of one, if you live elsewhere.

These thieves often pose as technicians to commit crimes during the day. So, if you see someone that looks like a utility worker yet isn’t driving a company vehicle, report it. It’s better to be safe than sorry. These crimes aren’t just costing businesses a lot of money; they’re having a huge impact on communities. Thieves in Virginia Beach broke into utility pedestals owned by Verizon. Pedestals are the big green boxes you may see near the road that house wiring. Although the thefts were reported by numerous witnesses, the damage was done quickly. It cost the company $1 million to make repairs and caused a communication outage in Virginia Beach.

In St Paul Minnesota copper thieves stole wiring out of 700 of the city’s light poles. Officials say they are struggling to keep up because they have 22000 lights and damage is being reported a couple of times a week. Copper thefts in L.A. have left entire communities in the dark. These crimes are happening everywhere regardless of the laws that are in place to prevent them. Most states require someone selling copper to give their name and address, show their I.D., get fingerprinted, and sign. Yet criminals are still able to sell stollen copper because of unscrupulous recyclers. If you see something, say something.