Wednesday, May 21, 2008
By Steven Hepker
Jackson police are asking residents to monitor abandoned homes in their neighborhoods for illegal activity, including drug use, metal thieves and squatters.
``With so many people leaving Michigan because of the economy, we have an abundance of vacant homes,'' Lt. Kevin Hiller said.
On Monday, officers arrested three people suspected of stripping copper from a vacant home in the 200 block of Damon Street.
``People who are stealing copper and other metals from vacant homes are doing it in the daytime because the electricity is off,'' Hiller said.
Copper has soared from 90 cents a pound in 2003 to $4 a pound this spring.
The high price of scrap metal has created long lines at scrap yards in Jackson, Jonesville and the Detroit area.
Much of the scrap being brought in is disabled farm machinery and yard and garage junk.
While the hot market is helping clean up the landscape, it also has emboldened thieves to steal car parts, cars, plumbing, air conditioners, boats and tools in Jackson in recent months.
Thieves are stripping vacant houses of copper water and gas lines and copper electrical wire.
``We would like people to keep an eye out for suspicious activity in their neighborhoods,'' Hiller said
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
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