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Jun 11, 2008 5:46 pm US/Central
Copper Thieves Strike FW Boys And Girls Club
FORT WORTH (CBS 11 News) ―
North Texas refuge for teens is starting the summer on a sweltering note.
Copper thieves have struck three times in as many weeks, destroying six of the building's 12 air conditioning units on the roof.
"This section hasn't had AC for two and a half weeks," said Boys and Girls Club Director Jason Sands.
Wednesday, Sands took stock of what's cool and what's not. Half of the Boys and Girls Club of Fort Worth has no air conditioning.
It's located in the 3000 block of Avenue G, near Texas Wesleyan University.
Five days a week, nearly 300 Fort Worth kids take advantage of the programs available at the club. But lately it's been a struggle. 11-year-old Gabbi Calhoun said, "When I get in there it's like, 'when are we going to get out?' Because it's so hot in there."
16-year-old Derrick Martin said, "It's a hundred degrees outside. We need the air. There are kids in there, like five and six years old. It's just not right."
Fans push warm air around the education center and cafeteria. There's little relief in the computer lab, where Michelle Munoz works with kids.
"I can't concentrate," Munoz said. "The kids can't concentrate. They don't want to participate because it's too hot."
Sands is worried if repairs are made, the thieves will strike again. So steel cages to protect the air conditioning units are on order. Until the cages arrive, they will keep the doors open and sweat it out.
"We're asking our staff and our kids to be involved and active, but be uncomfortable," Sands said. "That's tough."
In addition to the steel cages, security lighting will be installed and guards from Texas Wesleyan will help patrol the building late at night.
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