Do our PA scrap laws go far enough? (Scranton, Wilkes-Barre: house, buying)

[fisheye]

Here is a link to an article that ran on a copper theft that occurred in NC: ECT.coop Copper Theft Law Welcomed in N.C. » ECT.coop For $500 worth of scrap thieves did $350,000 dollars worth of damage. Of course we know who has to pay for that!

Recently we had metal thieves that damaged railroad tracks locally. How would you like to ride a train that used those tracks?

There is also the issue of the criminals injuring themselves or emergency responders. Fooling with railroad tracks or high voltage transmission lines could easily kill the perpetrators or those that come to save them.

[North Beach Person]

Here in SoMD there was a rash of catalytic converter thefts a couple years ago, mostly from Park and Ride lots which tend to be rural here and aren't monitored. The thieves would use Sawzalls to cut the converters off, mostly from higher sitting trucks and SUVs. They were eventually caught and the scrapper who was buying them was also charged.

Our Town's Crime Report from the Sheriff last month listed the theft of a chain link driveway gate from a residence. Historically houses under construction in developments have suffered theft of all types of material in this area.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

Here in SoMD there was a rash of catalytic converter thefts a couple years ago, mostly from Park and Ride lots which tend to be rural here and aren't monitored. The thieves would use Sawzalls to cut the converters off, mostly from higher sitting trucks and SUVs.

In case anyone is wondering there is a piece of platinum in it.

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by thecoalman

In case anyone is wondering there is a piece of platinum in it.

I found this one site that claims there is about 3 grams of platinum in the average catalytic converter: What is the total amount of platinum in a typical catalytic converter They claim that it is worth about $200 dollars. They also claim that the industry is moving away from using platinum. I can picture the same thing happening with our homes. In the future we will all have cheap plastic pipe and only forced air heat.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by fisheye

In the future we will all have cheap plastic pipe and only forced air heat.

Pex for the heat, actually just put it in myself hence the reason for the 400 feet of black pipe. It was single zone system and hanging below the joists in the basement. Now it's four zones and the ceiling is ready for sheetrock. I would have like to of used copper but really would have been a PITA to achieve the same result.

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by thecoalman

Pex for the heat, actually just put it in myself hence the reason for the 400 feet of black pipe. It was single zone system and hanging below the joists in the basement. Now it's four zones and the ceiling is ready for sheetrock. I would have like to of used copper but really would have been a PITA to achieve the same result.

I haven't used it so far. But I am close to a job where I can check it out. I did work as a plumber's helper many, many years ago. If you said PEX back then we would just scratch our heads. Actually I scratched my head until I Googled PEX – I saw it in the hardware stores (just no experience with the product). What is PITA - other than an tasty sandwich!

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by fisheye

What is PITA

Pain in the patootie.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by fisheye

What is PITA - other than an tasty sandwich!

Pain in the ass. The Pex is flexible so you can easily run it through joists. They also use it for radiant heating.

[julian17033]

Lots of recent thefts around Allentown including copper guttering from some of the stately homes in west Allentown.
They also recently caught a theft ring that had been targeting First Energy and PPL sub stations.
They were actually cutting wiring they were " pretty sure " wasn't live.

Frankly I really don't care if it causes more of a burden to scrap yard owners if it slows down the theft and vandalism caused by this garbage.

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by julian17033

Lots of recent thefts around Allentown including copper guttering from some of the stately homes in west Allentown.
They also recently caught a theft ring that had been targeting First Energy and PPL sub stations.
They were actually cutting wiring they were " pretty sure " wasn't live.

Frankly I really don't care if it causes more of a burden to scrap yard owners if it slows down the theft and vandalism caused by this garbage.

I actually started this tread in two locations – for two different reasons. The other thread is running on the national (general forums) under True Crime: //www.city-data.com/forum/true-...tal-theft.html

The reason that I did the double thread was first to see how other states are handling this problem. Secondly; to hear how bad this problem is around our state. I don't think that I could address both issues with just the one thread?

If this is as bad as I surmise; I would like to try to get our politicians involved. Perhaps it will not accomplish anything? I always figure nothing ventured and nothing gained.