Copper Theft Prevalence

Skyrocketing prices for copper have made a minor nuisance of past years into a major and costly problem today, according to "coppertheft.info." "Pipes, wires, cables, gutters, and flashing are being torn from walls and buildings."

Numerous law enforcement sources also reported that both individuals and organized criminals have targeted telecommunications, electrical substations, and railway lines, as well as wiring and piping in homes and businesses in order to steal copper sections.

The Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC) verified that copper thefts pose electrical hazards to both the workers of the affected infrastructure and to the perpetrators themselves.

Additionally, these thefts create dangers for Emergency Services Sector personnel in the following ways:

· Exposed live electrical wires can compromise safety and operational effectiveness.

· Large-scale ramifications of losing communications and electrical power networks.

· Hazards associated with damaged rail switches and other critical components.

Because of the copper theft prevalence throughout the United States, the EMR-ISAC recognizes that first responders must proceed cautiously at any incident scene where the pilfering of this metal is suspected, alleged, or verified.

More information regarding how copper thefts threaten U.S. critical infrastructures can be seen in an FBI report on the subject.

Read more at:

http://coppertheft.info/

http://www.fbi.gov/hq/majorthefts/coppertheft_120308b.htm