New home construction in Clarksville is doing better than most cities. But the area’s growth spurt has attracted copper thieves. Copper prices are at record highs and thieves are able to sell their loot to scrap dealers. Area home builders are coming together to try and stop the rash of thefts.
Last week, 5,000 dollars worth of copper coils were taken from a church air conditioner in Clarksville. That’s on top of more than 100,000 dollars worth of copper stripped from homes and businesses in July and August. Dana Dewberry is with the Clarksville Montgomery County Home Builders Association. She says the region’s growth in a down economy is a major factor in the thefts.
“We’re doing much better than most, I guess that attracts thieves here. But that’s the reason why we’re doing this campaign to let them know it’s got to stop.”
Copper theft is a problem in many parts of the US. There’s now a cottage industry in copper theft prevention. Dewberry says her organization will help the Clarksville Police Department purchase special surveillance equipment, including GPS tracking devices
“What we’ve decided is to have this equipment available to them and we’re putting out signs in all the new construction homes that have it available.”
Dewberry also says law enforcement is trying to track where stolen copper ends up.
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