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May 8, 2008 5:49 pm US/Central
FWPD Working To Stop Growing Copper Theft Trend
FORT WORTH (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
Fort Worth police say at least three times a day Fort Worth residents and business owners are hit by copper thieves. Thursday police took another step to stop the crime trend.
Cheap wire cutters meant easy entry into an expensive supply of air conditioning copper at Hemphill Presbyterian Church. The church was the target of copper thieves three-times in one week.
Across town there was a similar scenario. "They took the whole unit and I think they say they got $33 for it," Andrea Reed, the secretary at Carter Metropolitan Church. That church was hit by copper thieves twice in April.
"You know when I was growing up you just didn't mess with the church," says Reed. "You didn't steal from the church, you didn't… they just don't care anymore and it's scary."
The problem stems from the high price of copper and thieves will go great lengths to get it.
Officer Fowler, with the Fort Worth Police Department, says criminals know, "It's easier to go sell copper wire than it is to pawn a stereo, with a serial number on it, at a pawn shop."
Thursday morning Fort Worth police, city code enforcement officers and agents from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, inspected the first of 14 Fort Worth scrap yards for violations. Some of which were revealed after an undercover operation conducted during the past two weeks.
"They are letting the stolen copper and materials get through their scales," says Officer Fowler. "And we're making sure, absolutely sure, that every ordinance, state regulation is being followed now, to the 'T'."
So far in 2008 Fort Worth police have responded to 385 copper thefts, at which nearly 500 items were stolen. In total the items were worth more than $1 million.
Carter Metropolitan Church spent nearly $1,500 to replace its stolen air conditioning unit and add extra security at the church. "It's happening all over the place. There's nothing we can do about it but try to protect ourselves," Reed said.
The City of Fort Worth hopes its concentrated efforts will help stem the problem.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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