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Copper Thieves Jeopardize US Infrastructure
coondoggie supplies an excerpt from Network World that might make you consider a lock for your pipes: "The FBI today ratcheted up the clamor to do something more substantive about the monumental growth of copper theft in the US. In a report issued today the FBI said the rising theft of the metal is threatening the critical infrastructure by targeting electrical substations, cellular towers, telephone land lines, railroads, water wells, construction sites, and vacant homes for lucrative profits. Copper thefts from these targets have increased since 2006; and they are currently disrupting the flow of electricity, telecommunications, transportation, water supply, heating, and security and emergency services, and present a risk to both public safety and national security." (A July, 2006 post on Ethan Zuckerman's blog gives an idea of how widespread cable theft has affected internet infrastructure, and basketmaking, in Africa.)
My housemate works in an accident and emergency operating theater. They had some guy in the other night who was stealing copper from a substation. His tools of choice? Axe and a kitchen knife with an uninsulated handle. Apparently he looked a bit like a pretzel.
"Physics is to math as sex is to masturbation." -R. Feynman
Just charge up _all_ the copper to at least 50KV. Copper theft will become self-punishing. However, taking a shower will get quite risky.
So if I replace the pipes in my house I need a license to recycle them?
Maybe if you needed a license to post on Slashdot, there would be less stupid comments.
The utter selfishness of what the thieves do is mind-boggling.
I'm not entirely against trading their haul of copper for a small quantity of lead.
Hey, this is the free market at work! Why is everyone upset about this? If it wasn't for government regulation we wouldn't have this problem! And now our godless heathen communist government wants to arrest people for simply trying to put those goods back into production? How shameful -- these "criminals" are really the unsung heroes of these regulated markets.
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warning: contains sarcasm.
#fuckbeta #iamslashdot #dicemustdie
Unicorn bones. Veeerrrry rare, Veeerrrrry expensive...
Hi, I Boris. Hear fix bear, yes?
My dad worked at an RCA location in scenic Gibbsboro, New Jersey in the 70's. They made television transmitter antennas there, and decided to put up a chain link fence around the place. One weekend, the fence was stolen.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, someone stole a security fence.
Tony Soprano bought his kids Nikes with that. Except, in my neck of the woods, the family was called "Forte."
Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
I think he means D.B. Cooper theft.
fewer stupid comments
I don't want to say I told you so but I've been telling you guys we should go wireless.
..."currently disrupting the flow of electricity"
provide your name & address and in 30 days the dealer mails you a cheque.
I'd go even further than that. Have the scrap dealers issue mail-in rebates instead. That way people would have to spend half an hour assembling forms and ID numbers to submit. Then they'd have to wait 8-10 weeks to get a "check" printed with a fuzzy carbon transfer on a piece of postcard. It would come from some 3rd-party fulfillment house in Arizona, and there's a 60% chance that it will never arrive. No junkie in the world would put up with that hassle.
Better leave those barrel makers alone!
It doesn't mean much now, it's built for the future.
Maybe it's time to consider copper theft an act of terrorism?
At least in the cases when infrastructure is threatened.
Maybe it's time to consider those who use current topics on the minds of the people to pass stupid laws and ruin the country "Traitors"!
How un-American of you! You obviously aren't from the truly more patriotic and Real American (tm) part of the country.
The Liberty Bell has copper in it. This can only mean one thing:
They're stealing copper because they hate our freedoms!
In response, Duracell has introduced a product line called the "freedom top".
I say use metallic sodium. Cheap, conductive, and resistant to theft.
A copper 'fence' as it were? But that might not be an issue since most fences are made of iron or wood.
Jherico
What can the average user can do to ensure his security? "Nothing, you're screwed"
I upgraded my copper plumbing and installed PVC everywhere I could. Then I asked my electrician to upgrade my copper wiring to PVC, and the bastard refused.
Them electricians are in league with the copper lobbies, I tall you. I hope they'll make a Federal law to mandate PVC wires!
Fantasy: http://ferrisfantasy.blogspot.com/
Easiest? And here I was thinking mercury or gallium were quite easy to melt. Perhaps they're not metal after all...
Maybe there would be fewer comments that are less stupid... wait...
You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike.
I'll see your stolen security fence and raise you a stolen security camera.
OK, so it was a general-use webcam, not MAINLY for security, but it did serve that function... even got 2 shots of the guy taking it. :-)
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