# Theft of copper power lines - is this common? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 22, 2006, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theft-of-copper-power-lines-is-this-common/381384 "2006-11-22T03:03:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2006, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theft-of-copper-power-lines-is-this-common/381384/41 "2006-11-25T10:00:20Z")
[QUOTE=Cunctator] The article mentions that:Is this really happening elsewhere as the quote suggests? [/QUOTE] Way back when I was young and stupid, a friend and I used to hop the fences at a nearby manufacturing facility to steal aluminum from the scrap bins. We could easily get 200-300 pounds over the fence in a few minutes. We would then load them into his truck and go recycle them a few days later. ---
**Author:** ![Curious\_Enquires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@Curious\_Enquires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Curious_Enquires)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2017, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theft-of-copper-power-lines-is-this-common/381384/42 "2017-03-20T13:17:22Z")
A friend of mine that practically live on a boat and travels all around the atlantic coast; mentioned that they keep running across old torn down/ unattached powerline cables, that are either washed up into embankments or severely tangled up in old pier and other solid debris from past hurricanes. would that still be considered stealing if it were removed and recycled, or would it be looked at as protecting the marine and wildlife environment from obvious pollution and or contamination of marine life/water source? note: this cable is not attched to any ground poles and/or has both cables ends exposed and detached as a result of natural causes. (floods, hurricanes, destroyed bridges, or piers ( no longer apart of land.) ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2017, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theft-of-copper-power-lines-is-this-common/381384/43 "2017-03-21T08:50:29Z")
This used to be a problem here in Minnesota, but a recent law change has really cut back on it. The law requires companies that buy such metals to keep records of who they buy from: they have to see state-issued identification (and keep copies of it), get the sellers signature on receipts, have to record the license plate of the vehicle they arrived in, must pay the seller by check rather than cash, etc. This has made it much harder for thieves to sell this, so it’s become much less common. Now it mostly happens to empty, abandoned houses, where they get in and pull out the copper wiring & plumbing. But going after the other end, the market for selling such stolen materials, has been much more successful than previous efforts to catch thieves in the act. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2017, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theft-of-copper-power-lines-is-this-common/381384/44 "2017-03-21T11:14:41Z")
> [@Curious\_Enquires](#): > > A friend of mine that practically live on a boat and travels all around the atlantic coast; mentioned that they keep running across old torn down/ unattached powerline cables, that are either washed up into embankments or severely tangled up in old pier and other solid debris from past hurricanes. > would that still be considered stealing if it were removed and recycled, or would it be looked at as protecting the marine and wildlife environment from obvious pollution and or contamination of marine life/water source? > > note: this cable is not attched to any ground poles and/or has both cables ends exposed and detached as a result of natural causes. (floods, hurricanes, destroyed bridges, or piers ( no longer apart of land.) IANALawyer, but I would expect it depends on: [ul] [li]Whether the material is truly ‘abandoned’ or not (decommissioned cables that are awaiting collection for recycling - even if they’ve been waiting there for years, are probably still the property of the power company, whereas if they’ve been dumped or lost into water, are probably abandoned - local salvage laws may apply though)[/li][li]Maybe also whose property it is found on - even if it’s abandoned, I would expect the landowner to have a say in the salvage rights.[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![K2500](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f6c823/32.png) [@K2500](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K2500)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2017, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theft-of-copper-power-lines-is-this-common/381384/45 "2017-03-21T12:42:35Z")
Local utility around here uses solid ground wire with their name etched every couple feet to prevent it’s sale as scrap. Also: zombies ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2017, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theft-of-copper-power-lines-is-this-common/381384/46 "2017-03-21T13:21:42Z")
Zombies noted - many scrappers are now melting their copper down into ingots, thanks to Grant Thompson. [How To Make The Mini Metal Foundry - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHD10DjxM1g) That is, the legit scrappers are doing it for convenience of storage - and I suspect the criminals are doing it to obfuscate the origin of the materials. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2017, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theft-of-copper-power-lines-is-this-common/381384/47 "2017-03-21T20:35:12Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > Yes, I have heard of it here (Colorado) including people getting seriously electrocuted during the theft. It’s not uncommon. Here’s a video showing a guy who got juiced while trying to steal copper wire. Not for the faint of heart: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOHFyZh28W8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOHFyZh28W8) ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2017, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theft-of-copper-power-lines-is-this-common/381384/48 "2017-03-21T20:54:57Z")
> [@Rayne\_Man](#): > > The BBC ran a story today about this. It’s not only copper that is being stolen but any sort of metal. This includes manhole covers, park railings, swings and slides from children’s playgrounds and even a one ton Henry Moor bronze statue from a public park. Can I sell you a bridge? [Thieves steal entire bridge in New Castle](http://www.wfmj.com/story/15644204/theives-make-off-with-entire-bridge-in-new-castle) And that’s not the only one to go missing. ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2024, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theft-of-copper-power-lines-is-this-common/381384/49 "2024-02-09T00:06:13Z")
I bet a radio station tower has some copper. > **[‘What do you mean, the tower is gone?’: thieves steal 200ft structure from...](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/08/alabama-200ft-radio-tower-stolen)** > > Small radio station forced to go silent after ‘unbelievable’ theft of giant tower, which would cost over $100,000 to replace ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2024, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theft-of-copper-power-lines-is-this-common/381384/50 "2024-02-09T12:19:52Z")
> it is not allowed to operate its FM transmitter while the AM station is off the air. Why not ? ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2024, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theft-of-copper-power-lines-is-this-common/381384/51 "2024-02-09T19:15:09Z")
There’s some copper in the wiring (coax, hardline, lightning protection) but not all that much. It’s also notoriusly stiff and unwieldy when people try to reuse or recover when out in the open with permission. > [@pjd](#): > > Why not ? I don’t know but WAG it is a condition of their broadcast license. For example, their AM station might be a regional emergency alert node and only gets the FM license (which makes revenue) if they maintain the EAS stuff. > **[The Emergency Alert System (EAS)](https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-alert-system)** > > The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is a national public warning system commonly used by state and local authorities to deliver important emergency information, such as weather and AMBER alerts, to affected communities. EAS Participants – radio and... ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2024, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theft-of-copper-power-lines-is-this-common/381384/52 "2024-02-10T00:42:49Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > It’s also notoriusly stiff and unwieldy when people try to reuse or recover when out in the open with permission. That’s the impressive part. They stole a 200ft tower/wiring and AM transmitter and nobody noticed until the landscaping company showed up. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2024, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theft-of-copper-power-lines-is-this-common/381384/53 "2024-02-10T00:58:47Z")
Wait until the thieves discover EV charging stations. [EV Charging Cable Theft | Department of Energy](https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/ev-charging-cable-theft#:~:text=Unstaffed%20charging%20stations%20create%20an,the%20U.S.%20Department%20of%20Energy.) ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2024, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theft-of-copper-power-lines-is-this-common/381384/54 "2024-02-10T18:37:13Z")
A [previous attempt](https://www.loweringthebar.net/2017/08/alleged-lamppost-thief.html) to steal a tower. Not quite 200 feet long, but the transportation technology was surprisingly low-tech. ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2024, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theft-of-copper-power-lines-is-this-common/381384/55 "2024-02-10T22:26:29Z")
[Comment from this Steve Lehto video.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoVDBj7SZAY) Something isn’t right here… I’m in the broadcast industry (TV) and I can tell you that you tower maintenance, erection and disassembly is a highly specialized and dangerous job. The average thief cannot just climb a tower with a wrench and start hurling pieces to the ground. Besides, you’d have to have a flat-bed semi to haul all the structure away taking several trips. Also, it would take many days to disassemble. The FCC requires constant remote monitoring and control of any transmitter - that’s part of the requirements to obtain and maintain an FCC license. The station would know within seconds when the transmitter was turned off. Even if it was a fully automated, low-power station - you must have a way to monitor and control the transmitter by someone at all times. No…something isn’t right here! ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2024, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theft-of-copper-power-lines-is-this-common/381384/56 "2024-02-10T22:44:28Z")
^^ It was stated in [the other thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rural-alabama-radio-station-has-its-transmitter-and-200-foot-tower-stolen/997370/3) that the tower was already off-line for maintenance. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2024, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theft-of-copper-power-lines-is-this-common/381384/57 "2024-02-11T03:00:33Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > Why not ? The station’s FM license was for a “translator” - an FM frequency to rebroadcast the station’s AM signal to the local area. The license for an FM translator expressly forbids it to do anything but re-broadcast the AM station’s programming. If the AM station was down for maintenance, the FM station should have been turned off, as well. > [@dougrb](#): > > The average thief cannot just climb a tower with a wrench and start hurling pieces to the ground. Besides, you’d have to have a flat-bed semi to haul all the structure away taking several trips. Also, it would take many days to disassemble. I’ve been reading some of the broadcasting boards’ discussion of this, and there’s a lot about this story that smells. As @dougrb notes, taking down a tower isn’t something two kids with chainsaws can do on a lark. The site was hundreds of feet away from anything, but the thieves would have had to haul stuff away on public roads. It probably took place over several nights. And even if the station only had remote monitoring equipment, that equipment should have signaled that something was wrong on the AM side. Whoever was supposed to be monitoring the equipment was grossly negligent in failing to notice, and the station violated the rules by continuing to broadcast on FM while the parent AM station was down. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theft-of-copper-power-lines-is-this-common/381384.md?page=2)