Desperate times make for desperate thieves
Are stolen sewer covers another economic indicator of hard times in this country and more specifically this state?
Thieves stole storm sewer grates in Chelsea last weekend. Scrap iron like that may be worth up to $400 a ton -- that’s roughly 20-25 sewer grates.
Do the covers get sold as scrap or are they like hubcaps or airbags? A hubcap or airbag gets stolen, sold to an unscrupulous dealer and then resold to someone who had one stolen from his or her car.
Perhaps for the crook, sewer covers beat picking up returnable bottles and cans but people stealing scrap metal is an ugly sign of tough economic times.
How desperate are you to steal manhole covers and sewer grates?
Suffice to say whoever is stealing them is pretty desperate or building a subdivision in another state and trying to make a little extra profit.
Manhole covers and sewer grates have become targets of scrap metal thieves.
Eugenesergeev | Dreamstime.com
If your car is parked in a carport or parking lot all day make sure there are no valuables visible. That includes not just the valuable itself, but attachments like power cords as well. Put the valuables in your trunk or in your glove box, either way lock them up and keep them out of sight.
Other vehicles that are a problem in the area are bicycles. Lock up your bicycles and teach your kids to lock their bikes as soon as they start riding them so the habit carries with them when they go to college. Unlocked bicycles can even tempt normally honest people under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or encourage someone to play a “prank” and move a bicycle to scare the owner. Unfortunately when an unlocked bicycle gets moved from one place to another, it remains unlocked and can easily be stolen by those criminally inclined.
If someone in your household has a problem keeping the garage door down or locked, make sure that bicycles are locked inside the garage. It does not take long for a thief in a pickup truck looking for bicycles to spot unlocked bikes, throw them in the bed of the truck and make a get-away. Bicycles are much less labor intensive and easier to sell than sewer covers.
If you read this column regularly, I hope you are locking the doors on your home. If not you are putting yourself, your family or roommates in jeopardy. The majority of home invasions in and around Washtenaw County involve thieves entering unlocked doors and windows and helping themselves to a victim’s valuables. Do not become a victim -- lock your doors and windows.
In a state where police and fire services are being cut in most areas, maybe it is time for some of your valuables to be placed in safety deposit box in your bank. If you have the means and do not wish to keep your valuables outside of your home, perhaps you should purchase a safe, fire box or a combination of both to be hidden or better yet bolted down in your home.
Those who actually break into houses during the day, when many are at work, will usually ring a doorbell or look around a house prior to forcing entry. The best deterrent to these burglars are dogs, good neighbors who watch out for you, a loud audible alarm system and good home owner’s or renter’s theft insurance.
I look forward to find out what kind of criminal is so desperate that they steal sewer grates. More importantly I will be interested to find out how they pile them in a vehicle without clanking them around and making noise like a Burton Tower Carillon performance. Whoever they are, they must be very desperate.
Lock it up, don’t leave it unattended (apparently even if it is an 80-pound sewer cover), be aware and watch out for your neighbors.
Rich Kinsey is a retired Ann Arbor police detective sergeant who now blogs about crime and safety for AnnArbor.com. He also serves as the Crime Stoppers coordinator for Washtenaw County.
Comments
RJA
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 4:06 a.m.
@A2Woman, I would like to think that the dispatcher was thinking of your safety when he/she said you should not have confronted him. I firmly believe that each of us should be responsible for our properties and keep everything locked up. I find that it only takes a few minutes to make sure all doors, windows, autos, ect. are locked. Now then, if my steel doors are kicked in, windows smashed, auto taken, I would feel like a victim. I have great replace-able insurance on my home and contents. Not insured is my man, money, and my pets. (don't mess with them). We have great police officers, they need our help. They are so out numbered by criminals.
swcornell
Mon, Sep 26, 2011 : 5:25 a.m.
Correct you should not have confronted him. You should have shot him! Oh right that would make this thief a victim and his right outweigh yours anyway. So I guess it's not really our responsibility to protect our property unless you consider never leaving your fortified home "protection".
A2Woman
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 11:07 a.m.
Yes, she was concerned for my safety, no question about that. It only takes a split second to make a decision, and I chose to run out my back deck door to stop one of the three teens, instead of sitting on my couch. I fully support our local law enforcement, and find it shocking that our city continues to lay off our valuable police officers. 80 since 1996...more cuts to come? Clearly, we will all be left to fend for ourselves.
kdw
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 5:49 p.m.
Rich Kinsey wrote: radar detectors (which I had to bite my tongue while taking theft reports, from saying "Oh bad luck you lost your device to break the law, how unfortunate") But Michigan State Police website <a href="http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,4643,7-123-1586_27094-73839--,00.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,4643,7-123-1586_27094-73839--,00.html</a> FAQ indicates otherwise... Question: Is the use of a radar detector in a private vehicle legal in the State of Michigan? Answer: Radar detectors are legal for use in passenger vehicles in the state of Michigan.
doesnotmatter
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 11:10 p.m.
He did not say radar detectors were illegal. He said they were a "device to break the law."
Gargoyle
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 4:30 p.m.
It's time for a scrapyard sting operation. Why aren't we going after scrapyard operators for being in possession of stolen property? If the thieves can't sell it, they won't steal it.
EyeHeartA2
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 3:46 p.m.
<a href="http://www.michigan.gov/documents/msp/MSP_Legal_Update_No._75_273765_7.pdf" rel='nofollow'>http://www.michigan.gov/documents/msp/MSP_Legal_Update_No._75_273765_7.pdf</a> requires scap yard to get drivers license information, thumb prints and all that. Bad new, only for non-ferrious metals, so it doesn't apply to manhole covers. Not sure what the thinking was here - autos? never thought ferrous metal would be an issue? So, another semi-obvious solution would be to expand the existing law to ferrous as well. The law DOES work. A buddy of mine had a brother who lost a lot of copper and they traced it to a scrap yard (actually the scap yard called the cops) and they "figured" out who did it.
EyeHeartA2
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 2:59 p.m.
They had this problem in New Orleans and started tack welding the manhole covers. 2 minutes with an angle grinder to zip off the tack weld. Lots of sparks drawing attention to the process. Perhaps it is time the government took a bit of thier own advice and "locked it up"? There are also keyed manhole covers available. Those have locks too.
treetowncartel
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 1:27 a.m.
East Jordan in the house, I bet their coucil people are encouragin this.
godsbreath64
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 3:12 p.m.
Nice advice. Bubba the guv needs a lot these days. They would much rather stoke fear then actually go to work, but nice analysis anyway.
Treelover
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 2:35 p.m.
The police can not be everywhere, and with budget cuts there will be fewer! Citizens need to look out for each other...
tdw
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 1:42 p.m.
I'm just taking a shot here.I haven't read any comments yet.But I'm gonna guess and say people will blame Synder
godsbreath64
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 3:23 a.m.
treetown' Applications are currently being accepted at the nearest Koch industries chalet. Currently elected need only apply.
treetowncartel
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 1:25 a.m.
Where are the jobs?
godsbreath64
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 2:49 p.m.
Are you sure you didn't read them after all and are pretending otherwise?
Roy Munson
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 1:35 p.m.
They first look for unlocked doors and windows, but they will quickly break in a front door, even in broad daylight. Google Strikemaster II from homedepot.com. It really reinforces the door jamb. That is typically what gives way when these dirtbags start kicking and shouldering the door. I am no handyman, but I was able to install it in about a half hour.
Roy Munson
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 1:28 p.m.
Great article. We have to look out for ourselves and not rely on the police to keep us safe. And as long as this city strives to be the homeless destination of the midwest, this will only get worse.
cinnabar7071
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 12:16 p.m.
A2Woman people like you do more to prevent crime then the police will ever be able to do. If only everybody would get involved like you. Thanks for looking out for the rest of us.
A2Woman
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 11:53 a.m.
Great column, and advice! Keep things locked...sounds simple, but that is OUR responsibility. Last Saturday, 1:30 PM (UM game time), 3 young teens arrived in the tailgate lot that is very near my home. They were young, wearing gloves, and backbacks - looking for unlocked cars. I knew immediately what they were up to, and began to call A2PD. Before I could do that, one of them got into an unlocked caddy and began helping himself. I ran up to him and asked him what he was doing, he dropped phones, an iPod, a ring, and took off. A2PD officers arrived QUICKLY. The boys were on foot, and got away quickly...the thieves came back at 2 PM to get what they had dropped in the caddy, but I had locked his car doors for him. A2PD officers were back again looking for them. These boys were young, and looking for an opportunity. BTW, the dispatcher told me I should not have confronted him.
A2Woman
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 1:51 p.m.
Sally, with the description I gave them, A2PD were looking for them. I live near UM & Pioneer, and it is scattered with tailgate lot after tailgate lot - endless supply of cars. Who knew they would come back, but their greed got the best of them when they remembered what they had left behind in that caddy. Hindsight, I probably should not have confronted the kid. My *Mommy* voice scared him off, but I had no idea where the other two boys were at that time. I did have my cell in hand, and showed him that as I confronted him. I will always help someone out, and hopefully someone else will pay it forward.
Roy Munson
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 1:36 p.m.
Nice work. I would have confronted them too.
Silly Sally
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 12:47 p.m.
Why didn't the AA Police wait for them to return, and capture them?
Tom Joad
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 11:30 a.m.
The Romans said it best 'Opportunity makes a thief' (occasio facit furem)
KJMClark
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 10:56 a.m.
Excellent column. I just hope everyone reads it.
Tom Teague
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 5:45 p.m.
Okay. I'm satisfied that I've done the proper due diligence to determine that KJM Clark and Detective Kinsey are not the same person.
godsbreath64
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 6:02 p.m.
I'll leave you to your proofs, as well.
Tom Teague
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 3:33 p.m.
Actually not. Mr. Clark and Mr. Kinsey are not the same person.
godsbreath64
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 11:10 a.m.
Of course you hope. You wrote the piece.
godsbreath64
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 10:49 a.m.
*Shocker Alert* Police Officer wants the provider of his paycheck to do his work.
godsbreath64
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 3:20 a.m.
Is he a cop or columnist? Take your own advice ombud', or better, just save it next time.
ombudsman
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 9:50 p.m.
it's not a cops responsibility to lock your car up for you. come back when you have realistic expectations, and have found something better to do than complain irrationally on here.
KJMClark
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 10:57 a.m.
Um, he's retired. You can take your foot out of your mouth when you're ready to apologize.
Chris 8 - YPSI PRIDE
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 10:05 a.m.
It's imminent. One morning I am going to wake up and read a story about how a Driver, or a Couple, or a Family was seriously injured or killed because they lost control of their vehicle after running over one of these holes in the road that was never there before. Before this happens, our law makers need to be writing a law, holding the thieves responsible for any injuries or deaths caused as a result of leaving a gaping hole in the roadway. It's only a matter of time before one of these morons gets caught either by an alert and honest Scrap Metal Dealer, Citizen, or Police, red handed. The punishment for this type of theft should be dealt with swiftly along with a severe punishment following a conviction. I am not so much concerned with the damage this might cause to a vehicle, but more with the lives this puts at risk. Michigan is full of dark roads which we become familiar with when driving our daily routes. The last thing I am expecting is, to encounter a hole in the road that was not there, lets say 15 minutes earlier on one of my late night runs for milk or bread or something of the sort. It's kinda sad, but if one of these is reported missing and not replaced immediately, it leaves the municipality responsible for making an immediate fix, which then trickles down to you and me, the taxpayers. By the way, Radar Detectors are not made for the sole purpose of breaking the law, they are used in most cases as a reminder to watch your speed. I used to own one and it gave me the opportunity when it went off to check my speed and avoid a ticket. I bought it "after" I was issued a speeding ticket. I asked the officer why he picked my Chevy Chevette riding in the middle lane with the flow of traffic. His answer was "everyone was speeding and I had to pick someone". This was on a crowded Interstate where I would have been risking my life if I was doing the speed limit. The radar detector gave me a level playing field after that.
treetowncartel
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 1:21 a.m.
That law already exists, second degree murder or manslaughter as a lesser included offense. We don't need more laws.
Macabre Sunset
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 9:41 p.m.
The idea of putting people in prison is to prevent deaths in the future. We make life tougher on scrap metal thieves by creating laws requiring scrap metal dealers to know what they're buying and obtain proper identification and fingerprints from those selling scrap. If they have a good relationship with the police, then there will be less opportunity for this crime.
Atticus F.
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 1:21 p.m.
Putting people in prison isn't going to bring anybody back from the grave. My first thought would be to make laws tougher on scrap metal theives in general...Not waiting for someone to die so we can charge the theif with murder.
Dawn
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 7:47 a.m.
So once again we expect the VICTIMS to take all the responsibility? Is that the way our LAW ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM works? Why isn't our crimminal system cracking down on crimminals? Oh wait... we're spending all the money that we COULD be paying officers...on the luxury resport we laughingly call our PRISON SYSTEM! When will the crimminals be treated like crimminals? Why aren't we teaching our children from day one what is right and what is wrong? So that when they are grown they won't become part of the problem. Why are the VICTIMS being treated more like the one on the losing side here??? Once again the average law abiding citizen has to suck it up and shoulder the responsibility.
Bob
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 9:13 p.m.
We're really only talking about using common sense.
janeqdoe
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 7:28 p.m.
A "victim", by definition, will always be on the losing side. Taking personal responsibility for your possessions is a realistic method of preventing loss and improving your odds of NOT becoming a victim.
godsbreath64
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 11:02 a.m.
Thats right Dawn, you must protect yourself. For reference of "this" please read the story on the Monroe car bomber protecting himself earlier this week.
KJMClark
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 10:59 a.m.
Geez, he only suggested you lock things up. Some people have an awfully low burden threshold. If you take his advice, you probably won't be a victim.
Jason
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 : 10:05 a.m.
Really? Yes that is the way our law enforcement sustem works. You protect yourself. You protect your things. If you call, the police will get there as soon as they can. All the author is saying is that you should do your part to make yourself and your belongings unattractive to thieves. I will add to that ......... take a firearms class, then buy a gun. Learn how to shoot it accurately. Get a permit to carry it. You will worry a lot less after that.