State takes steps to thwart copper theft

Vandals are increasingly raiding farms, construction sites and utilities, “creating public safety hazards, production and development losses, and increased costs for consumers,” Blunt said in a news release.

Statistics from the Department of Public Safety and the Missouri State Highway Patrol show that as of Nov. 17, 58 copper theft incidents have been reported this year in 17 counties; no reports were made in Greene County, and the nearest incidents were in Camden and Texas counties. Most of the thefts – 39 – were from agriculture sites, 16 were from electric cooperatives, two were from a highway patrol communications tower site and one was from a construction site, according to Jessica Robinson, press secretary for Blunt’s office.

State senators will be holding community meetings to hear from those who have been affected by copper theft. Meeting times and locations will be announced soon, according to the release. Blunt also has directed the Department of Agriculture to participate in the community outreach effort.[[In-content Ad]]