Garage break-ins and copper thefts
Over the holiday week we got a couple reports of thieves stealing items out of alley-facing garages and stealing copper downspouts:
We just learned this weekend that Ginter Park Presbyterian Church at 3601 Seminary (corner of Walton) had FIVE (count ‘em five) copper downspouts stolen (aqain). And what is especially disturbing is that some were on the two sides facing Walton Ave and Chamberlayne Ave- in plain sight. This apparently happened sometime between late Tues night and Thursday last week.
Copper theft seems to be a near daily occurrence — most of it takes the form of pipe theft from houses under construction/renovation. Garage theft seems to be happening more and more. One reader asks, regarding a recent garage break-in: “This incident is just another in the long chain of criminal activities we read about on this site each week. Somthing needs to change – any suggestions on how we win our quiet neighborhood back?“
Our house was broken into on Wednesday night. Someone broke a basement window to get inside and then went through our closets and office.
On Overbrook Rd.
Jared, do you have an alarm system? Just curious to find out what’s going on around here.
Honestly, copper downspouts, while technically a good choice for downspouts because of their durability, are not as wise of a choice as aluminum ones. Cause copper ones WOULD last longer, if they weren’t such a good type of metal to scrap. If your downspouts get stolen, replace them with aluminum or another, less scrappable and also more economical material. Seems like common sense to me. Copper downspouts are a luxury.
Also if people think crime is an issue then as a community we should be working to address the causes of crime- lack of jobs, economic depression, bitter poverty, addiction, etc. The poverty level in Richmond is incredibly high. When people are poor, and unemployment runs out, and there just aren’t any jobs, they have to find a way to survive. Sometimes that means committing crimes. Poverty won’t stop because police arrest people who commit robberies in northside. In fact, the viscious cycle of jail and prison, and the way it affects families and children, often creates more poverty than originally existed.
The entire system is out of line. We have to create jobs, create opportunities, treat adults like adults, and offer solidarity not charity.
If someone wants to put copper downspouts on their home or church. They should be able to. It funny Mo how you post all over Richmond about your stupid ideas and how every HAS to agree with you. But when it comes to your own blog you don’t allow anyone to post.
You are a waste of time.
Richard, then stop wasting your time! HA HA HA! *don’t egg my house*
I put copper on my house because it last a lifetime, aluminum doesn’t last that long. I secure them, so if you try to steal them, you would make a lot of noise. If I wasn’t home my nieghbors would be on you like stink on sh%&. I’m not going to live in fear on scumbags. Mo you can suggest what I should but don’t tell me what to do.
“replace them with aluminum or another, less scrappable and also more economical material”
Thought you were an anarchist, maybe you should look up the definition of the word. You guys are pretty organized and dictatorial for anarchist.
I guess according to Mo, there shouldn’t be any white collar crime because they all have jobs. Being poor is no excuse for crime. I was poor and was not a criminal. I was taught respect for others, got an education, and got a job. So, Mo, why shouldn’t I have nice things, if I worked for them? Why should those that you describe steal?