Copper Thieves Keep Dying - Embarq latest to offer reward...

Copper Thieves Keep Dying - Embarq latest to offer reward...
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Copper Thieves Keep Dying
Embarq latest to offer reward...
(old news - 10:47AM Wednesday Aug 22 2007)
tags: business · hardware · networking · RoadRunner Cable · AT&T Southeast · Embarq

The rising price of copper has thieves stealing the metal wherever they can, be that air conditioners, home piping, phone wires or live electrical wires. Embarq is the latest company to try to crack down on the thefts by offering a $5,000 reward to those who provide tips leading to the arrest and prosecution of Nevada copper thieves:

"When people steal cable, it puts the entire community at risk," said Jim Hansen, senior vice president of Network Services at EMBARQ. "Cutting cable can cut emergency communications which affects everyone. Imagine having a loved one suddenly in need of emergency medical assistance, only to find communications services don't work because someone just cut the cable to steal the copper."

Time Warner Cable recently offered a similar $10,000 reward in Texas, and AT&T is also now offering rewards in several markets. We're literally seeing at least one story a week about someone dying from trying to pull live copper electrical wires from poles.

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abward @ 22nd Aug 10:53AM:
Darwin Effect

At least we are reducing the population of morons, i.e. the Darwin effect.
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John Galt @ 22nd Aug 10:53AM:
Useless Without Pics

Shall I post some...?

;)
--
A is A
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Master5c8 @ 22nd Aug 10:54AM:
Self-Correcting

Well if the theives keep killing themselves, won't the problem eventually solve itself?
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ropeguru @ 22nd Aug 10:54AM:
Need more!

We're literally seeing at least one story a week about someone dying from trying to pull live copper electrical wires from poles.

We need to to see 100 stories a day reference copper theives dying. Eventually they will all be dead and we wouldn't have a problem. They get what they deserve!!!
--
FWD#: 223611
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bigunk @ 22nd Aug 10:54AM:
Re: Self-Correcting

One would think. One could only hope.
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TScheisskopf @ 22nd Aug 10:55AM:
You know...

In my closet, in a custom-made case, I have 6 feet of the finest tapered Hickory. Close-grained, steel-wooled to a fine smoothness, finely oil finished and harder than some rocks(Google: Rokushakubo).

If I saw some pinhead jamoke up a pole stealing copper, I would have no hesitation using that to keep him up that pole until the cops come along.

I am generally a peaceful person, but there are limits.
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Siryak @ 22nd Aug 10:56AM:
Meh...

Kinda hard to feel sorry for someone whenever they died trying to steal something. I know this may sound harsh, but the world is probably better off without them.
--
Wildblue Pro Pack / Beam 40 / Laredo NOC / Windows Vista Home Premium
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bigunk @ 22nd Aug 10:56AM:
Re: Need more!

Actually we should see none. Let them never know of the hazards and kill themselves off. Post a quarterly tally in very small type in an obscure location. But please, don't broadcast this to the world.
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Siryak @ 22nd Aug 10:57AM:
Re: Darwin Effect

said by abward :

At least we are reducing the population of morons, i.e. the Darwin effect.

Word. Like I said in my topic. The world is better off without them.
--
Wildblue Pro Pack / Beam 40 / Laredo NOC / Windows Vista Home Premium
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ropeguru @ 22nd Aug 10:59AM:
Re: Need more!

Whatever it takes... :D
--
FWD#: 223611
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bigunk @ 22nd Aug 11:02AM:
Re: Useless Without Pics

Yep
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ender7074 @ 22nd Aug 11:04AM:
No Loss

Live Copper Wire - 1
Thieves - 0
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DOStradamus @ 22nd Aug 11:04AM:
They have "The Man Himself" protecting them....

:D

AmeritecTech @ 22nd Aug 11:05AM:
Let's not forget...

When they get shot: »www.click2houston.com/news/13643···ail.html

Copper-theiving is a hard-knocks life.
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Subaru @ 22nd Aug 11:12AM:
Re: They have "The Man Himself" protecting them....

LMAAAAOOOO!!
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Transmaster @ 22nd Aug 11:13AM:
Re: Let's not forget...

There was a picture of some black idiot who tired to steal copper from a electrical sub-station the resulting KA-BOOM besides roasting him, blew him to pieces. I hope he didn't have any children that way his stupidity genes are out of the gene pool.
--
Remember safe sex does not prevent crabs.
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Transmaster @ 22nd Aug 11:14AM:
Re: Useless Without Pics

please! Please! :D
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AmeritecTech @ 22nd Aug 11:15AM:
Re: Let's not forget...

So he was black, eh?
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swhx7 @ 22nd Aug 11:16AM:
Re: Darwin Effect

It seems like a good thing, in a Darwinian sense, though of course I sympathize with the survivors. What surprises me though is that we're not hearing about lawsuits.

To be clear, I think suits would be unjustified, and should not be allowed in cases where the victim is committing a crime. It's just that it happens in this litigious society in other similar situations, such as the infamous cases where burglars injure themselves breaking in, etc..
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Backspace @ 22nd Aug 11:18AM:
Junkies and Metals

Philly has a thriving new industry called "Scrapping" where you take scrap metal to a junkyard in exchange for money. Many people with pickup trucks have been doing this for years by going out on trash days before the trash trucks arrive and removing any metal objects found at the curb.

The city's junkies have caught on to this and they have begun scrapping using shopping carts and any other wheeled vehicle to take their metal to the junkyard. Some have shown up at the junkyards with manhole covers stolen from the sidewalks and streets leaving large holes where children can easily fall into. The city has begun to secure these covers for the safety of the citizens. Some junkyard employees report that the junkies are coming in with brand new air conditioners, probably stolen from somebody's window. Fairly new metal lawn chairs and tables are being brought in too. The junkyards require cars to have titles or the junkies would take them too.

I would bet that the copper thieves are mostly junkies whose lives have become worthless and they are better off dead. Electrocution is a fast way to go and I wouldn't mind if all of the junkie copper thieves got zapped.
--
Press "1" for English.
Press "2" to disconnect until you lern Engrish.
Press "3" to learn to spell correctly
Press "4" if you are an oppressed minority.

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anon @ 22nd Aug 11:21AM:
It's a pity people are so dumb...

But many are and it's their loss if they kill themselves.
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John Galt @ 22nd Aug 11:22AM:
Re: Useless Without Pics

I'd probably get a post-ban for a year if I did that.

;)
--
A is A
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moonpuppy @ 22nd Aug 11:27AM:
Re: Junkies and Metals

Time to require ID before scrapping metal.

Any yard caught taking scrap without looking for ID is to be shut down for a month for the 1st offence, 6 months for the second offence, for good for the 3rd offence. ;)
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russotto @ 22nd Aug 11:36AM:
Re: Junkies and Metals

Yeah, because we all know the best solution for every problem is Big Brother.
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DOStradamus @ 22nd Aug 11:56AM:
Re: Let's not forget...

said by AmeritecTech :

So he was black, eh?

Overcooked... Could have been that "perfect" golden brown, if only he had a man-sized "Turkey Timer" inserted before his deed...

-NK

PICS!
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RayW @ 22nd Aug 12:00PM:
Re: You know...

said by TScheisskopf :

If I saw some pinhead jamoke up a pole stealing copper, I would have no hesitation using that to keep him up that pole until the cops come along.

Nice thought, but most of them (so I am told by some local enforcement folks) do not climb, they shoot a line over the top of the wire, then pull it down with the car/truck. Then the dumb ones forget that the line is still hot while the smart ones go down a pole or two and repeat. With battery operated cutoff saws, they can strip and chop several hundred feet of power line and be gone in 15 minutes. They did that to one of our radio towers, took out about 150 feet of Heliax cable at over $20 a foot (not counting shipping, connectors and installation). Took about 30 minutes to get a car on location and there was no sign of anyone, just the remains.
--
I am not lost, I find myself every time.
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wvcaver @ 22nd Aug 12:04PM:
Re: Junkies and Metals

this happen last night

»www.weathernet5.com/news/1394667···psp=news
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Chiyo @ 22nd Aug 12:13PM:
Re: Junkies and Metals

At least it was a bonding activity with his girlfriend lol.
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BF69 @ 22nd Aug 12:26PM:
Re: Junkies and Metals

said by russotto :

Yeah, because we all know the best solution for every problem is Big Brother.

Who is this involving big brother? If you use a credit card in a store do you not get asked for ID? Is this not a good practice? Does that involve big brother? Nope.
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nipseyrussel @ 22nd Aug 12:28PM:
Re: Junkies and Metals

cerberus, is that you????
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rayeger @ 22nd Aug 12:33PM:
Re: Junkies and Metals

So what is your solution to this problem if checking IDs is not good? I dont have a problem with morons killing themselves but dont forget all of the ones that succeed in stealing items to scrap. We have to put a stop to this.
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acrufox @ 22nd Aug 12:48PM:
Let em have their way....

Let em have their way, it does thin out the population but also makes fiber optics more appealing :)

Around here houses are heated with oil fired furnaces, it's pretty sad to see thieves steal a few feet of copper pipe that creates a huge headache for the homeowner which runs into the tens of thousands to clean up. It's one thing to steal lines off the pole, it's another to steal a few dollars worth of pipe that causes tens of thousands in removal of contaminated soil. I've had people with shopping carts come right into private backyards and steal pop cans only worth 5 cents a piece that go into total shock when the neighbors dog shows up and wants to rip them to pieces :)
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justmesqui @ 22nd Aug 12:49PM:
Where and Who do they sell this copper to?

So they steel this copper but they got to sell it to some one?

who buys RAW copper

really who ?
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Kearnstd @ 22nd Aug 12:50PM:
Re: Darwin Effect

however any losses to people impacted should be able to sue the criminal if they live. if my business lost its data lines because some ass stole the copper id want to press charges if i lost business because of it.
--
[65 Arcanist]Filan(High Elf) Zone: Broadband Reports
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Corona @ 22nd Aug 12:54PM:
Re: Where and Who do they sell this copper to?

said by justmesqui :

So they steel this copper but they got to sell it to some one?

who buys RAW copper

really who ?

There's this thing called junkyards and metal scrap yards. They readily buy it.
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acrufox @ 22nd Aug 12:56PM:
Re: Where and Who do they sell this copper to?

Here's your sign...

Like scrap metal yards are 100% honest, like finding a 100% honest pawn shop. It's the human condition to make profit off something regardless of what the source was. X theif shows up with hundreds of feet of copper cable worth a bundle, X scap metal depot turns a blind eye, strips the sheathing off the cable then it's the usual "I don't know where it came from"
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russotto @ 22nd Aug 01:30PM:
Re: Junkies and Metals

I do not get asked for ID when using a credit card in a store. And it's "Big Brother" because it means there will be a government accessible list of everyone who sells scrap.
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Kearnstd @ 22nd Aug 01:37PM:
Re: Useless Without Pics

probally look like that guy in Batman after Joker got him with the hand shocker.
--
[65 Arcanist]Filan(High Elf) Zone: Broadband Reports
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ctceo @ 22nd Aug 01:40PM:
Heres whats hapening in my area

»www.wsbt.com/results?keywords=Ho···wsbt.com

»www.wsbt.com/results?keywords=Co···wsbt.com

Copper theft in our area has at least sent 10 people on a dirt nap over the last 2 years. Wether it be by one scrapper killing the other for his load, or one junkie killing the other for the same. One thing seems to be consistent ~80% are homeless in our area trying to make a living, ~10% are Junkies trying to score a hit, ~5% are Just Thieves (homeless or not) stealing irrigation equipment as an example to either get a meal or pay off some debt, and the worst of the worst Junkie Clepto Copper Thieves Just living like that cause they need and want to.

Wile I agree that electrocution is fast, and yes the 10% and less category should be punished. It is not the right thing to do.

Taking Kearnstd 's statement for example:
What do you do when you sue a homeless person? Do they even show up to court? If they decide to flee how easy will it be to catch them? How much must be stolen for the law enforcement agency in charge to consider expending those resources?

Assuming their caught, what, other than knowing you've taken them off the streets for a few months or longer (maybe less),Possibly gotten a 5-10K$ reward, Added to their police record, if any, Are you possibly going to gain, if anything in the long run?

And of course what do you do when they find a bad lawyer willing to defend, and counter sue for company negligence in protecting their own equipment from this vagrant junkie thief? In this case you are going the other way, and have to spend money defending yourself, wasting your time, and possibly indirectly affecting how much you charge your customers in the long run to recoup the losses, providing the insurance company fights you on the issue of recovery, or in most cases drags their feet...

???
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romulusnr @ 22nd Aug 01:42PM:
Copper rush

How long before copper is more expensive than fiber? I'll be down with that.
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rgillis70 @ 22nd Aug 01:43PM:
Re: Darwin Effect

I believe there is a lack of lawsuits because even in cases of a burglar being injured, he can only sue if proper notice is not posted.

In other words, if I keep a man eating tiger inside my vault and have no sign stating that, if you break into the vault and get injured by the tiger, then I can be sued for failing to warn of the risks.

Not saying that makes sense, just that seems to be the rule...

In these case, the power companies clearly warn of the danger of touch high voltage lines, thus no lawsuit can be filed.
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FicmanS @ 22nd Aug 01:45PM:
Re: They have "The Man Himself" protecting them....

VERY funny...
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FicmanS @ 22nd Aug 01:46PM:
Re: They have "The Man Himself" protecting them....

VERY funny
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swhx7 @ 22nd Aug 02:27PM:
Re: Darwin Effect

Yes I think you're right. I'm recalling this stuff now.

Part of the reason for prohibition of traps for burglars, and liability for accidental hazards, is that someone might innocently happen upon it - children for example. In the case of electrical equipment there are both warnings for adults, and some attempt to make it hard to access (poles, boxes etc.) for everyone's protection.

Maybe the larger lesson is something about failure of education...
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AdamB @ 22nd Aug 02:30PM:
Just happened here last night

Some idiot tried to steal some copper from an electric supply substation for a former steel plant in town yesterday. Got himself fried instantly.

»www.indeonline.com/index.php?ID=···tegory=3
--
SBC/Yahoo DSL: 2478/427 on 3000/512
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a333 @ 22nd Aug 02:33PM:
Re: Copper rush

Scooby, dooby doo, where are you!!!???
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KrK @ 22nd Aug 03:46PM:
Re: Darwin Effect

I'm kinda curious as to why copper has become so expensive. I thought copper was a fairly common metal on earth.
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AlexNYC @ 22nd Aug 04:08PM:
more of the same ...

.... exept no one died this time unfortunatelly:
»www.vaildaily.com/article/200708···-1/rss01
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Transmaster @ 22nd Aug 04:15PM:
Re: Let's not forget...

I tried to find the photo of this fool without success. The picture showed a melted set of wire cutters laying beside a cooked charcoal black corpse with his arms burnt off with his personal hogey roll looking like a foot long hotdog that had been thrown in to a blast furnace, which could have been used as a charcoal pencil. :D
--
Remember safe sex does not prevent crabs.

Hmmm this long pork tastes like chicken

David @ 22nd Aug 04:41PM:
Re: Self-Correcting

said by Master5c8 :

Well if the theives keep killing themselves, won't the problem eventually solve itself?

You made me laugh pretty good, thank you!

Being a communications tech for many years I got a good chuckle out of this.

:D
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gar8182 @ 22nd Aug 05:00PM:
Re: Junkies and Metals

And that, I believe, is part of the problem...the junkyards themselves. So long as junkyards provide a market, the thieves will keep on stealing this stuff.
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Kearnstd @ 22nd Aug 05:13PM:
Re: Darwin Effect

copper is semi precious but countries like china seeing rapid progression have pushed the world demand copper way up as they build and expand their modern buildings and power grids.

basicly copper like oil has seen a general global demand increase. and like most metals in general it is more energy efficent to recycle.
--
[65 Arcanist]Filan(High Elf) Zone: Broadband Reports
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Tigerpaw509 @ 22nd Aug 07:10PM:
Welfare

well at least were reducing the welfare thiefs this way
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stardotstar @ 22nd Aug 07:33PM:
copper deaths.

so whats the problem?
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tileguy @ 22nd Aug 07:45PM:
Crackheads!!!

:uhh: Not to sound inhumane but they're gonna die anyway on the drugs. It just sucks that everyone else has to be inconvienienced with their quest for a 'high'.....
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ARGONAUT @ 22nd Aug 08:24PM:
..:.:..

"Extra Crispy" says Mr.Amp
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moonpuppy @ 22nd Aug 08:37PM:
Re: Junkies and Metals

said by russotto :

I do not get asked for ID when using a credit card in a store. And it's "Big Brother" because it means there will be a government accessible list of everyone who sells scrap.

Your credit card is your ID. And some stores will ask for ID if your card is not signed.

And the government already has the info you have done with your purchases. ;)
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dvd536 @ 22nd Aug 09:10PM:
Re: Useless Without Pics

Their latest targets are streetlights. lots of copper in those.
--
You can never be too rich, too thin or have too much Bandwidth
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Cheese @ 22nd Aug 09:28PM:
Re: Darwin Effect

said by Kearnstd :

however any losses to people impacted should be able to sue the criminal if they live. if my business lost its data lines because some ass stole the copper id want to press charges if i lost business because of it.

Kind of hard to arrest a dead guy ;) :uhh:
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anon @ 22nd Aug 09:38PM:
Cable TV Copper

Quick question, it says Time Warner was offering rewards, isnt the copper inside cable tv cable just copper coated? I didnt think it was solid copper? We throws 10s of thousands of feet away a year.
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pcnetworx1 @ 22nd Aug 09:52PM:
Re: Cable TV Copper

Hot diggity! Gimme your address! :D
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JokerCPoC @ 23rd Aug 12:23AM:
Re: Darwin Effect

That's also why there is most of the time only fences and warning signs, The stuff there inside the fence when powered on guards Itself from idiots that must have a secret death wish. Mr T would say I pity the fool and I think He'd be right.
--
(14.70GHz crunchin 4 SETI w/the PC Perspective Killer Frogs)
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Airwolf7 @ 23rd Aug 06:12AM:
All thieves should be shot dead.

All thieves no matter what they are stealing should be shot in the head and rolled into the nearest ditch to rot. The world is a better place without them and dead they can do something productive like fertilize the dirt.
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slimpickinz @ 23rd Aug 06:44AM:
Re: Darwin Effect

Just wait until an illegal alien gets fried while cutting a High Voltage line....lawsuit is the inevitable, and probably his survivor(s) awarded millions.
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anon @ 23rd Aug 07:36AM:
damaging critical infrastructure...

I'm suprised the Feds haven't invoked some obscure provision of an anti-terrorism bill, and prosecute said thieves for damaging critical infrastructure (communication/power lines).

The prospect of 10+ years in the Federal pound me in the ass prison might take some of the thrill out of it all. :)
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netdogg3 @ 23rd Aug 10:49AM:
Copper Theft

I have NO feelings for thieves and if ANYONE is stupid enough to try and cut through a LIVE POWER LINE deserves the shock of their lives.
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leXicon5 @ 23rd Aug 10:35PM:
Re: Darwin Effect

said by slimpickinz :

Just wait until an illegal alien gets fried while cutting a High Voltage line....lawsuit is the inevitable, and probably his survivor(s) awarded millions.

Thats just moronic....how did illegal aliens get injected? Next you'll be blaming GW for the cable thefts...what a tool..
More than likely...as happens a LOT...they just dont ever come home...nobody to complain to or people to go look. They're still humans...

The lawsuits in this country are brought about by your fellow FUC&^% moron American Citizens...who either cant read or write but can sign an X on a lawyers papers to file. Not realizing the lawyer will get the lions share of any settlement....at least the illegals can speak two languages most times....most Americans cant speak or write their native tongue worth a SHITE
--
Honor the memory of the troops that served selflessly and without selfishness.
You have the freedoms today because of what they did yesterday.
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mackey @ 24th Aug 01:46AM:
Re: Darwin Effect

said by Cheese :

Kind of hard to arrest a dead guy ;) :uhh:

Unless you're the RIAA...
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Titus Pullo @ 24th Aug 10:28AM:
Copper thief today

behind the wheel of a Comcast truck tomorrow ...

Got RapSheet?
--
God must love stupid people; He made so many.
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fireflier @ 24th Aug 12:51PM:
Re: Self-Correcting

said by Master5c8 :

Well if the theives keep killing themselves, won't the problem eventually solve itself?

Unlikely. The types of people involved in this kind of crime are also the types who have more kids then they can count (because they run out of fingers and toes). We should probably be grateful so many are taking themselves out which slows their progression toward dominance of the planet. Once that happens, everyone is screwed.
--
Wishes: When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams can come true. Unless it's really a meteorite hurtling to the Earth which will destroy all life. Then you're pretty much hosed no matter what you wish for. Unless it's death by meteor. --despair.com
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fireflier @ 24th Aug 12:57PM:
Re: Let's not forget...

"Thieves in Ohio and across the nation are increasingly turning to the highest-quality sources of copper, found at power substations, utility poles and electrical boxes, and then selling the wiring to scrap dealers"

Gee, thanks a ^#%$#@ing LOT Channel 5!! As if these morons weren't a big enough problem, now tell them where to find the "best" stuff. Jeebus, do journalists even think about this???
--
Wishes: When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams can come true. Unless it's really a meteorite hurtling to the Earth which will destroy all life. Then you're pretty much hosed no matter what you wish for. Unless it's death by meteor. --despair.com
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fireflier @ 24th Aug 01:01PM:
Re: Heres whats hapening in my area

So you're proposing what? Utilities ignore the theft and eat it, or just catch up with the offender and shoot them in the head to avoid costs of litigation?

Doing nothing is not an option. Doing something illegal is typically also not an option. Utilizing the only legal recourse is the only reasonable option.
--
Wishes: When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams can come true. Unless it's really a meteorite hurtling to the Earth which will destroy all life. Then you're pretty much hosed no matter what you wish for. Unless it's death by meteor. --despair.com
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Cheese @ 24th Aug 01:08PM:
Re: Darwin Effect

said by mackey :

said by Cheese :

Kind of hard to arrest a dead guy ;) :uhh:

Unless you're the RIAA...

True :D
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ctceo @ 24th Aug 02:23PM:
Re: Heres whats hapening in my area

I'm not proposing anything. Though it sounds like you've given more thought to other options.
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marica69 @ 26th Aug 03:11PM:
Re: Copper thief today

It truly is getting bad. We actually mark all of our new fiber optic rolls with a neon pink statement that it is fiber optic cable and not copper. We also make sure that all of our signage says the same thing. Even so, we have some of the aforementioned Einsteins that cut it to find out. Of course, they don't get hurt from cutting the FO (unless one of us sees them) but they do manage to destroy many days of work and also make it difficult for the people that rely on those fibers for their communication needs.

PS, we think it is the NEON PINK that keeps our rolls safe, not the words, they would have to be able to read for that to work :)
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MoeDumb @ 13th Sep 12:57PM:
"Thieves dying"

I like the sound of that! :D
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