


AT&T Goes After Copper Wire Thieves 338
coondoggie writes "Copper thieves targeting Atlanta are now being targeted themselves by AT&T, which is offering $3,000 for information leading to their arrest. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that in one recent three-day stretch, nearly 7,000 customers and two schools lost land line phone service. The FBI has said in the past that the rising theft of the metal is threatening critical infrastructure by targeting electrical substations, cellular towers, telephone land lines, railroads, water wells, construction sites, and vacant homes for lucrative profits."
This is a problem not just besetting AT&T (Score:4, Insightful)
One of the reasons newer A/C condensers have signs like "NO COPPER INSIDE" is exactly because of this.
The reason for this happening? Copper is in areas that have no guards, alarms, curious onlookers. Then it is just one insulation-burning step away from a recycler and cash per pound.
The only real solution is to start forcing recyclers to have a chain of custody, similar to what pawnshops have when someone tries to sell/pawn something. No "well, I got this copper from an old remodel I just did" BS which serves now. Require a valid ID for sale with valid contact info. Some recyclers do their homework with this, but there are always others who don't.
Re:Copper theft (Score:3, Insightful)
You'd think so - wouldn't you?
Much like the problem of people killing each other should eventually result in less people willing to fight left - yes somehow that problem seems to persist throughout the ages.
Theivery is another problem thats lasted the test of time - and even the most strict punishment awarded (death) hasn't been shown to deter this kind of activity.
It just goes to show how illogical we as human beings are - and why "obvious solutions" never quite work as well as you'd think they would.
Re:Copper theft (Score:3, Insightful)
Yes. And please remind him that he should be including this income on his 1040. :)
Looking in the wrong direction (Score:2, Insightful)
Penny mining (Score:3, Insightful)
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Comment removed (Score:3, Insightful)