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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.)
This is one problem I figured the current administration had fixed.
http://www.kitcometals.com/charts/copper_historical_large.html#6months
Tank the housing market, and copper isn't needed, the price falls, not worth steeling.
But thieves are apparently slow learners.
Yep. Copper prices have dropped considerably in the past few months:
http://www.metalprices.com/FreeSite/metals/cu/cu.asp
Just be sure to wear the gold uniform when you beam down -- you know what happens when you wear the red one.
MOD parent up. In US urban areas, a lot of this activity is done by drug addicts. This is more of a sign of the break down in community vs. individualistic values than a sign of income disparities.
I am an HVAC engineer and I have had $30,000 condensing units destroyed on construction projects for $200 worth of copper. I've seen LIVE power feeds ripped off of buildings. Something needs to get done. Unfortunately as the old saying goes, people are assholes.
I'm not not licking toads.