Results: Copper Thieves
Published on 03/18/2015
QUESTIONS
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Comments
1.
1.
When copper prices are high, some dishonest people will steal copper wire and pipe and sell it to recycling centers. Have you heard of this? Yes
75%
1417 votes
No
19%
357 votes
Undecided
6%
116 votes
2.
2.
Abandoned and foreclosed buildings are attractive targets for copper thieves, but businesses and schools that are closed for the day or a weekend may also be hit. Sometimes wire from street lights or other outdoor lighting is stolen. The damage caused by ripping out the copper often far exceeds the cost of material and labor needed to replace the wire or pipes. Is copper theft a problem in your community? Yes
32%
600 votes
No
37%
701 votes
Undecided
22%
407 votes
Not Applicable
10%
182 votes
3.
3.
One recycling center I know of requires ID from anyone attempting to recycle scrap copper. What steps do you think should be taken to deter copper thieves? ID should be required to sell used copper wire and pipe.
57%
1077 votes
There should be limits on how much scrap copper someone can sell without a license.
28%
528 votes
Recycling centers should pay little (or nothing) for scrap copper so it isn't worth stealing.
14%
258 votes
Stiffer penalties for anyone caught stealing copper.
42%
789 votes
Nothing should be done.
2%
44 votes
Don't know.
24%
451 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
14 votes
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.06% | 2 | |
| na | 0.06% | 2 |
| n/a | 0.03% | 1 |
| if the amount is over 10 lbs you have to wait 30 days so they can investigate that it's not stolen | 0.03% | 1 |
| set these jerks up and catch them | 0.03% | 1 |
| video record of items being sold by seller | 0.03% | 1 |
| companies need to hire felons, then the crime rate will go down!! | 0.03% | 1 |
| if it is stolen from a work site or used building, the owners report it as a robbery & police then notify the reclyer centers to keep an eye -- any suspicious people are called into the police | 0.03% | 1 |
| they go to jail here | 0.03% | 1 |
| drug attics steal it here | 0.03% | 1 |
| daily/weekly limits set. | 0.03% | 1 |
| enforce the anti-theft laws currently on the books | 0.03% | 1 |
4.
4.
Occasionally I hear of someone being electrocuted when he attempts to steal copper wire without turning off the electricity. How do you feel about someone dying while trying to steal copper wire? The thief got what he deserved.
29%
540 votes
I wish more criminals would save taxpayer's money by bypassing the criminal justice system in this manner.
12%
230 votes
I feel sorry for the guy's family, but for him, not so much.
22%
411 votes
There should be more education about the danger, which might act as a deterrent as well as save lives.
20%
382 votes
I feel sorry for anyone that desperate.
21%
404 votes
Depends if I'm the one getting ripped off.
3%
56 votes
No opinion.
22%
414 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
16 votes
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.24% | 6 | |
| na | 0.12% | 3 |
| sad that a person would reach a point to do this. | 0.04% | 1 |
| not happy for anyone dying in this manner | 0.04% | 1 |
| i have never heard of anyone suffering such a fate. i think you are making it up. | 0.04% | 1 |
| don't condone stealing, but it is a tragedy to die in the process of doing it. | 0.04% | 1 |
| carma | 0.04% | 1 |
| i feel sorry for the thief and family. there are serious consequences when dealing with electricity and i believe all copper thieves know this. | 0.04% | 1 |
| not sure | 0.04% | 1 |
COMMENTS