The scrapers came last night

[Alan Mclennan]

we`re working on a new building at a high school at Campbell town, the dept of public works insisted we use copper pipe as it is the best product, no arguments about quality here!. so my brother has spent the best part of 2 weeks putting the gas and water services under the first floor slab. Well we seem to have a boom industry here in stealing what some small company has just installed and scraping it for 1/10th of what it is worth!, The Barstards showed up last night and took the f@#&ing lot and snapped off branches in the concrete floors and walls, so the police came and said it would likely be hard to get finger prints and its not worth wasting their time, WTF! isn't that what they are supposed to be doing. I wounder what they would do if it was their $7,000.00 (estimate) went west and have to replace it out of their own pockets. the trouble with our Cops these days they have second jobs so they don't do anything to stop them from going to their second job, like booking anyone they may have to go to court over on their other job day. thanks for letting me unload here, I think I`ll go and drown my sorrows in beer.


Alan,

[Z-MAN]

so the police came and said it would likely be hard to get finger prints and its not worth wasting their time, WTF! isn't that what they are supposed to be doing. I wounder what they would do if it was their $7,000.00 (estimate) went west and have to replace it out of their own pockets. the trouble with our Cops these days they have second jobs so they don't do anything to stop them from going to their second job, like booking anyone they may have to go to court over on their other job day. thanks for letting me unload here, I think I`ll go and drown my sorrows in beer.


Alan,

Ok, I know your upset, so what would they take prints off of? Usually after the morning dew has set on a construction site, you cannot get a good print. If you do get a print it is from one of the workers, which may or may not have done it. So you would have to take elimination prints from everyone on site to eliminate them as a suspect. Alot of times it is another worker anyway. The best bet is to track where the copper was sold and see if you can get an identification that way. In Houston the police have second jobs and alot of them do not complain about it, because it is part of it and they have kids to raise too. It's the only profession, where you have to be a professional, have a college degree to promote, raise other people's children, be a marriage counselor and not get paid like it. Court is overtime, so do not know why they would mind going. Often times police second jobs are watching construction sites; again no complaints. Often times when you have several calls holding and you don't have something to get prints off of, why would you sprinkle fingerprint dust? I guess you could do it for PR. Unfortunately nobody can be everywhere at once.

Alot of police here are 3rd and 4th generation police officers. Some police are lazy, but not all and contrary to popular belief alot of them are in it for the right reasons...

Z

[jakdad]

And some second jobs are in t---y bars, etc...................................

[Johnny Canuck]

Alan. I can sympathize with ya man. In the construction industry, we have always had this sort of thing going on, whole Jacuzzi tubs walk away, etc. Most houses are built with pex for plumbing line now so that is not a big ticket item.
The Cops around here are more concerned with getting the cash in the pork barrel.. I.E they photo radar ya, ding you for not wearing a seatbelt, issue tickets for taillights out in the donut shop parking lot, etc. Anything to contribute to the "Policeman's Ball", with a minimum of effort.
But the local indigenous population can stagger in droves around downtown, pissed to the gills, panhandling and pissing in peoples shop doorways, or worse, unfettered by any of the boys in black. All that does is cost the cops money to keep them in the drunk tank. Of course it kills the downtown business dead, but hey, that isn't the cops job man. They need to protect the misguided fool without a seatbelt on, to the tune of $250 a shot.

[Slick Fan]

Pay for my plane ticket & I'll be glad to camp out at nights on your construction site with my "little friend".





I'll even buy my own beer.

[Slick Fan]

My girlfriend sez she wants to come too!

[ICEMAN6166]

Alan,
sorry to hear you got bit by the scrapers, likely the stuff was in a scrapyard before you even got up in the morning.
lot of that happening everywhere these days, not only new construction but empty houses too.also several large construction trailers filled with tools disappeared last summer near here.

police have no clues because none are left and they figure some insurance co. will pay out on the loss so as long as they file a report its considered job done.

it is not really the police fault, if its like here theres too many miles and too few of them on the job to make much difference on stuff like that.

i blame the politicians for allowing this type stuff to happen, and it is only going to get worse as fuel, food and scrap prices continue to soar while they snore away in their chambers doing nothing for anyone who is not donating to them.

[uglyblue66]

research those micro dots.It is some kind of spray on chemical that once drys is invisable,but when a black light shines on it ,tiny dots show up with a company id or something.May help for the next time anyhow.

A fellow down the road had his brand new New Holland skid steer stolen out of his shed.Theives trailer had a flat tire and it left a mark all the way to the store up the road where they have cameras and such and the theives may have been on camera.The cop did not get out of his car,just had my buddy sign a form and then left.The cops fiqure insurance will replace it.He didnt have any.
I cant understand why they get all the training they do and when it comes time to break out this high tech equipment,it aint worth thier time.Ask them to refund 7 grand of your taxes you paid to replace the stuff,they will laugh at you as they run people off the road trying to chase down a speeder or catch someone without a neck breaker seat belt.

[Z-MAN]

And some second jobs are in t---y bars, etc...................................

No not here, but in regular bars, yes. Maybe those employed by other cities, but do not know of any agencies in or near Houston , I don't know of anyone who would allow it...Security guards maybe--never seen a regular officer in one, I doubt you have either. If it did happen we would all know

The Cops around here are more concerned with getting the cash in the pork barrel.. I.E they photo radar ya, ding you for not wearing a seatbelt, issue tickets for taillights out in the donut shop parking lot, etc. Anything to contribute to the "Policeman's Ball", with a minimum of effort.
But the local indigenous population can stagger in droves around downtown, pissed to the gills, panhandling and pissing in peoples shop doorways, or worse, unfettered by any of the boys in black. All that does

is cost the cops money to keep them in the drunk tank. Of course it kills the downtown business dead, but hey, that isn't the cops job man. They need to protect the misguided fool without a seatbelt on, to the tune of $250 a shot.

The average patrol unit does not have radar. Usually in big cities they have traffic units, which is their job and this is usually who people come into contact with first...Nobody ever wants a ticket...

Obviously your jurisdiction does not enforce public intox laws.
I do not think there is any cash in the pork barrell all funds here mostly go to state and a small percent comes back to the agency and it cannot be used for salary's. Maybe things are different in Canada-I Dunno.

As far as red light cameras- Officers on duty in patrol cars get issued tickets for that violation also.

I have had friends in the past that have gave the ultimate sacrifice for their community. Most people can not say that.

As for as patrol units, some people don't like one until they need one..


Z

[Z-MAN]

A fellow down the road had his brand new New Holland skid steer stolen out of his shed.Theives trailer had a flat tire and it left a mark all the way to the store up the road where they have cameras and such and the theives may have been on camera.The cop did not get out of his car,just had my buddy sign a form and then left.The cops fiqure insurance will replace it.He didnt have any.
I cant understand why they get all the training they do and when it comes time to break out this high tech equipment,it aint worth thier time.Ask them to refund 7 grand of your taxes you paid to replace the stuff,they will laugh at you as they run people off the road trying to chase down a speeder or catch someone without a neck breaker seat belt.

Like in any profession, Some are lazy and some are not and I am sure he followed them down there to view the video. Who would have a brand new skid-steer loader without insurance or a Lo Jack? Doesn't sound likely, your friend might be pulling your leg.

[jakdad]

We had a scandal in Houston in the last year about the "Extra Jobs" that Police worked. Not only were those jobs in some of the "Skin Establishments", They were also during duty hours. That crap is still unfolding as we have also cleaned out the D.A.s office and the Harris County Sherriff's Dept. is coming unraveled. Yes there is much corruption among us and always will be if we choose to leave our heads in the sand. My brother was retired HPD and many like him served honerably, but not all.............................

[Z-MAN]

We had a scandal in Houston in the last year about the "Extra Jobs" that Police worked. Not only were those jobs in some of the "Skin Establishments", They were also during duty hours. That crap is still unfolding as we have also cleaned out the D.A.s office and the Harris County Sherriff's Dept. is coming unraveled. Yes there is much corruption among us and always will be if we choose to leave our heads in the sand. My brother was retired HPD and many like him served honerably, but not all.............................

I don't recall the sexual oriented business deal and during the duty hours is totally unacceptale. I would say 1 percent corruption and 99 percent great guys, but we will would all hear about the corruption before we hear the good stuff. Harris county has like 52 police agencies in it.

Your right most serve honorably

Z

[Z-MAN]

Ice you are right scrap is high and your positive attitude about police is no surprise. Due to Police being so spread out and lack of manpower. Many times wrecker drivers are the first form of back up and many drivers here are greatly appreciated.

Z

[ras4434]

Around here the Methamphetamine problem is way out of control. Those with the habit are stealing almost anything for the scrap $. They have been tying into telephone and electric lines and pulling out the wire, stealing the metal bridge shoulder barriers and wire and metal from houses under construction. One moron tried to pull wire from a sub station . Saved the city a lot of money in court costs and the remainder was already cremated. The next night someone tried again. .......Get that stuff out of the gene pool.............

[Z-MAN]

Yup we got some wire burning hillbillies that will burn whole rolls of the huge wire that electric company uses and scrap the metal..

[f100matt]

Around here the Methamphetamine problem is way out of control. Those with the habit are stealing almost anything for the scrap $. They have been tying into telephone and electric lines and pulling out the wire, stealing the metal bridge shoulder barriers and wire and metal from houses under construction. One moron tried to pull wire from a sub station . Saved the city a lot of money in court costs and the remainder was already cremated. The next night someone tried again. .......Get that stuff out of the gene pool.............

Shit, we have a huge problem with them god damn meth heads around here. few years ago a meth lad exploded down the street, the jackass caught his shirt on fire and somehow managed to blow up a propain tank. just a few weeks ago some loaded son of a bitch broke into my 90 year old grandfathers shop and house and stole everything not nailed down. Next time they pull that bullshit im going to shoot them bastards.

[blackagatha]

it's ridiculous...

I remember a few years ago, they didnt steal the copper, but a bunch of vandals broke into a brand new highschool in tucson, still under construction, and smashed holes in every single wall, tore out ceilings, electric fixtures, etc, broke most of the windows, spraypainted stuff, etc. they turned the place into a warzone in a few hours of mayhem. I dont recall if they ever got caught, dont think so....

Now talk about some pissed construction workers and school district officials

[Alan Mclennan]

Slick, these bastards would steal the brass out of your ammo!
Zed man, I don't know what you do for a living, I can only guess but our cops have lost it to some extent, they regard their second job more important, they work 3 x12 hour shifts a week and the rest of the week is theirs and instead of relaxing they are out working harder than they do for the community and that's from a good mate of mine who is a retired detective chief inspector. The other Villon in this are the scrap merchants who buy the scrap off these low life scum how do they not get caught!.
And yes Johnno PEX and REHAU are the answer but try and get buffoons to come into the 21st century (other than their wages ),and they say no copper is for keeps!!, for as long as you can keep it that is!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alan,

[Z-MAN]

Hard to believe every last one of them is like that. Thats kind of like saying every civillian is horrible and hates the police, but we know this is not true and most people are good people. The police probably do have to work 2nd jobs to support their family, because most police do. I know that having a 72 hour work week is fatiguing, but its part of it. I do understand what your Detective friend says and alot of older guys view the younger ones differently, because values of generations seem to be different. Most officers here come out of the military, start in law enforcement and carry their military habits and values on to their job, which is good. Officers in the field usually relflect their leadership and if it there is no accountability, checks and balances. Well, it will show... No organization is perfect and generations of people are different. What it comes down to is for the organization, is to pick great trainers, so they can teach the new ones good habits and values. The values of the agency should be reflected and if public perception is, "My second job is more important." Well, that is a bad thing and that is what will be passed on. Pay for officers has always been low compared to other careers, but that is not why you do it and ufortunately working extra jobs is part of it.. Not to sound corny, " But you do it to help people, catch bad guys, stop crime, and make the quality of life better for the public." To alot of Officers this is their family tradition; 3rd and 4th generations and they are proud to follow in the footsteps of their fathers. Not all police are bad and for every lazy one you meet there are 99 more that want to make a difference. Your right PVC plumbing is a better idea. We have some of the same problems here.

[dwbr]

i work in a power plant, being connected to the utility groups and other plants across the world we see and hear about thieves getting smoked trying to steal live electrical lines,
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BMW M67