|
Published: July 29, 2007 01:17 am
OUR VIEW: Crack down on copper thefts
Niagara Gazette
There’s copper in those vacant buildings and that’s the problem facing local law enforcement officers.
The value of scrap copper has been rising recently, making the plethora of abandoned buildings in Niagara Falls suddenly more attractive: Attractive to thieves, that is.
City police say there have been more than 50 incidents of copper theft reported since November. That’s when detectives began to notice the trend and started to keep a running count. Detective Captain Ernest Palmer said for a while there had been more copper thefts in Niagara Falls than car break-ins. And he figures there have been even more than have come to the attention of the police.
“Only a small percentage (of thefts) are being reported,” he said.
According to Palmer, many of the old buildings are either in foreclosure or have no insurance so there’s no incentive to report the crime.
Preventing the crime or apprehending the criminals is difficult. Most copper is not traceable so, when police go to investigate, it is difficult to determine the source. And short of staking out every vacant building in the city, catching the thieves in the act is not an efficient way for police officers to spend their time.
So what can be done? Police urge property owners to spray paint their copper piping, at least the copper that might be easily accessible to thieves. That way, detectives can figure out the path that the stolen metal takes once it’s removed from its source.
Police investigations need to concentrate on where the copper is sold; scrapyards whose owners don’t ask a lot of questions as to where the metal originates. Police point out that a couple of local metal dealers are taking up the cause and assisting detectives in their investigations. Those dealers are to be commended.
But at least one other scrapyard is the target of police for being the fence where the burglars can take their ill-gotten metal and turn it into cash. Tightening the noose around the unscrupulous metal dealers will go a long way toward making copper thievery a thing of the past.
After all, it’s the lure of turning copper into gold that put the thieves into the copper burglary business in the first place. Taking that financial incentive away and replacing it with the real possibility of prison time will remove the attractiveness of copper-stripping for those who like to live outside the law.
|
|
|
|
 |
Nurses
NURSES
RNs & LPNs
We have assignments available in home care
& staffing.
Interim Health Care...>MORE
Cleaners
Housekeeping, Summer/ permanent help, p/t-4 day work wk, no w/e, bonuses, car nec. 694-2810 ...>MORE
Cooks
COOKS, Servers, part time. Apply within Joe’s Hideaway, 2230 Cayuga Dr. Ext., Whtfld 990-1261...>MORE
Accounts Payable
Accounts Payable
Must be experienced. Must have excel/keypunch knowledge. Must be a team player. High volume enviro...>MORE
In Bound Telesales
In Bound Telesales!
Altitude Marketing is one of DISH Network’s top national retailers and has immediate FT positi...>MORE
Medical Office Assistant
MED. OFFICE ASST, PT, exp pref but not necessary, Med-Dent know- ledge helpful. Email resume to: mary paones sa@yahoo.c...>MORE
Customer Service
Niagara Orleans Country Club is looking for part time help through October in club house. Some weekends required. Apply ...>MORE
waitress
Waitress will train. Apply at Christos Restaurant, 2117 Military Rd. Niagara Falls, NY
...>MORE
COTA
PATIENT SERVICE MANAGER
Full-Time management position responsible for promoting & maintaining the...>MORE
Technicians
CIVIL SERVICE EXAMS
Exam Date: 9/12/09
Filing Period:
7/6/09 -7/22/09
EXAM FEE: $20.00
N.F. WA...>MORE
See all ads |
Pontiac 2004 Grand Prix GT
PONTIAC 2004 Grand Prix GT 4 door, good cond, $8000, 998-5596...>MORE
Olds 2001 Intrigue
Olds 2001 Intrigue, 130k runs great, leather, sun roof clean inside/out. $3000or BO. 628-6295...>MORE
FORD 1999 150
FORD 1999 150 pickup, good cond., tool box, bedliner, standard, $2500 or BO. 523-3653...>MORE
Ford 1993 Taurus
FORD 1993 Taurus, just inspected, runs good $900 or best offer,
284-0244...>MORE
1997 Ford Taurus GL
FORD 1997 Taurus GL, good condition, cold A/C, cruise, 1 owner, white. $1995 or BO. 990-6187....>MORE
Chevrolet 2002 Cavalier
CHEVROLET 2002 CAVALIER with 80,00 miles. Must see! Well maintained! Silver ext., Gray int., 2DR, Automatic, Fro...>MORE
Dodge 1996 Grand Caravan
Niagara Falls
2753 NIAGARA ST.
FRI. SAT.
9AM-4PM
oriental rug, old tools, antique car parts, toys, ...>MORE
1990 Chevy 2500
1990 CHEVY 2500 pick up, fresh paint, 160k mi, good runner, 4WD, ext cab, $2500, 716-572-9153...>MORE
1950 Plymouth Custom
PLYMOUTH 1950 Custom, 4 dr, good shape, $1,500/BO. 795-0074...>MORE
Ford 1999 150 Truck
FORD 1999 150 pickup, good cond., tool box, bedliner, standard, $2500 or BO. 523-3653...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|
Print this story
E-mail this story
