Sheriff Leon Lott, Chief Gene Sealy and Chief Tandy Carter are working together with law enforcement and citizens across South Carolina to combat the growing copper theft problem.  

Residents and business owners are being affected tremendously by the copper thefts and law enforcement needs the communities’ assistance in both preventing the thefts and capturing those responsible. Sheriff Lott, Chief Sealy and Chief Carter are asking that citizens be vigilant, be aware of the different trends that are occurring and be aware of the what the thieves are doing with the copper.    

Sheriff Lott, Chief Sealy and Chief Carter have personnel available to come to your home or business and speak to you, your community or church group about the prevention of copper theft and other crimes.

What can you do to avoid being a target of copper theft?

• Start or join the crime watch in your neighborhood

• Start or join the business crime watch in your neighborhood

• Hold FREE crime prevention training for your employees on copper theft and the many other safety topics that we offer

• As part of your hiring practice, consider doing a criminal background check on all applicants. This may give you additional insight into a prospective employee.

• Avoid storing copper wire, pipe, fittings and other components at remote jobsites. Even securing a parts trailer with a lock is not a deterrent to motivated thieves.

• Look at the security of your premises. Consider installing a security system that includes motion detectors and cameras. Although the initial cost may seem high, it can pay for itself if it eliminates one theft loss. Keep in mind a thief might enter your premises with the intention of stealing copper but may find other objects to take.   HAVE A FREE SECURITY ANALYSIS of your property conducted by us.

• If your business is to install copper wire, consider pre-cutting the wire and delivering what you need at a jobsite on a daily basis. This will avoid large quantities sitting at a job waiting to be used.

• Thefts may take place on weekends so have someone check the jobsite several times during the weekend. Provide sufficient lighting at night as a potential deterrent.  Remove motion detector lights – lights should come on at dark and off at dusk

• Thefts often occur during the pre-drywall installation phase of construction. Consider this when planning a job. If possible, install copper at the end of the job.

• Inform law enforcement about construction sites and provide after hour and emergency contact information.

• If you sustain a loss, consider the following steps in your investigation:

  1. Take Pictures.

  2. Protect the crime scene.

  3. Preserve the evidence.

  4. Talk with people who may have witnessed the crime.

  5. Identify the cable markings. They reveal the cable’s original location and can assist in identifying the suspect or provide an affirmative lead.

*This information is intended as a guideline and suggestions and is to be used in conjunction with other loss control resources. It does not represent legal advice.