Metal thieves target copper pipes such as these.
While there are unconfirmed rumors of several home intrusions above and beyond the two that have received recent media attention, I wonder whether there is another and somewhat different crime wave poised to hit Plainfield.
I learned over the weekend that metal thieves had broken into a vacant property that is on the market and ripped out all the copper plumbing. In addition, solid brass door hardware throughout the house was taken, as well as a metal sink and an ornate ceiling fixture.
Metal thieves differ from junkies breaking in for money or a small item to fence for a few bucks.
They bring tools and work methodically, and they often have contacts to fence the goods -- either in the scrap metal business or among small contractors.
With the increasing number of vacant and boarded properties in Plainfield, many of them foreclosures, Plainfield could be poised for a tidal wave of such thefts.
Online resources map foreclosed properties.
Homeowners and realtors need to be alert.
If the city knew how many of the growing number of vacant and boarded homes were foreclosures, it might be able to take some defensive action.
But then, the Robinson-Briggs administration would have to have an inventory, right?
And how likely is that?
-- Dan Damon
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3 comments:
This past summer the church I attend, Grace, at the corner of E7th and Cleveland, was hit by this wave of bandits.
Bronze plaques that dedicate the Gardens, and Memorials to those with ashes buried there, where stolen.
When the Rector of the church contacted the local scrap yard to keep on an eye out for our Historic stolen property she was told "lady we don't check what comes in".
These merchants are just as bad as the thieves as they receive stolen property. This is UNACCEPTABLE and I think currently there is legislation at the state level to correct this.
Our Assemblymen, State Senators and Governor need to make this happen NOW!
They must give our Police department the 'tools' they need to fight this new wave of crime. It's just impossible for them to watch every vacant house.
Jim Spear
Plainfield is not alone. Have your fast-food joints checked their used oil containers?
Thieves stealing garbage in Westwood
by The Associated Press
Tuesday October 07, 2008, 3:59 AM
One person's trash is another person's treasure in Westwood.
Thieves in the Bergen County town have been targeting cooking oil and scrap metal as a way to make money. Two men were charged with theft after police say they stole drums of used cooking oil from behind restaurants.
The contents of each 55-gallon drum is valued at $220 and the borough uses the grease to run public works trucks.
Meanwhile, other thieves are making off with scrap metal, such as used washing machines, that residents put on the curb.
Borough Administrator Bob Hoffmann estimates the scrap metal thefts are costing Westwood $1,000 a month.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/10/thieves_stealing_garbage_in_we.html
Maybe I missed it but I could not find any reference to the multiple shootings in the West End recently. As a result, I have to establish my own context for my comments. See Courier News article inserted below.
Second Street Youth Center has been serving the West End community for over twenty-five years and has recently revitalized its Teen Resource Center with a variety of programs that offer alternatives to gangs, guns and drugs.
We need help to support our planned retreat for children and families as the article states and we need people to come to our Silent Auction fund raiser event this Friday at Washington School.
Minister Ronald Thomas
SSYC Board Treasurer
September 30, 2008
Youth mentor says Plainfield's violence adds urgency to her efforts
By MARK SPIVEY
STAFF WRITER
When the sound of gunshots rang out last week just down the street from her organization's headquarters and the homes of some of the children she mentors, Tanya Morgan knew her fundraising efforts suddenly became more important than ever.
A coordinator for the Teen Resource Program of the Second Street Youth Center, a West End nonprofit organization that benefits youths living in some of Plainfield's toughest neighborhoods, Morgan is seeking sponsors for the program's third annual Teen Resource Summit. The upcoming weekend trip to the Great Wolf Lodge in Scotrun, Pa., will include a Saturday "Gangs and Gang Awareness" workshop run by Plainfield Public Schools Student Truancy & Support Services Coordinator Yvonne Watts.
Three separate shootings killed one man and injured two others within 14 hours in the city late last week, with the incidents occurring in an area of less than a square mile. Draw a triangle between the three locations on a map, and the Teen Resource Program's headquarters on South Second Street lies in the center of it.
"Especially given everything that's going on in our community, this is crucial," Morgan said. "Usually, when we take kids out of that environment, sometimes they get a bit more comfortable and are able to talk about what we can do as a community, what parents can do, that might deter them from feeling they need to be in a gang."
Morgan said about half of the program's 40 regular participants are in need of sponsorship for the trip, which will take place Oct. 24-26. The per-participant cost for the trip, including food, lodging, and activities, is $200.
A letter sent to potential sponsors by program coordinator Sandra Martin underscored the importance of "getting away from it all" for many participants.
"Our community continues to be riddled with the strife of guns, gangs and drugs. The lure of the streets, gang activity, and all that is associated with it is extremely powerful," the letter read. "It is imperative now more than ever that our youth have the opportunity to know, see, understand and accept that there is more to life than the few blocks to which they are accustomed."
The program's regular activities include mentoring activities, arts and crafts, conflict resolution, computer programs, and more, according to Martin, who said the educational opportunities her organization provides are vital to its beneficiaries.
"This is a tough environment, so when they come to us, we show them all the positive things there are out there," Martin said Monday, Sept. 29. "We show them why education means so much, how it's so important."
Mark Spivey can be reached at mspivey@mycentraljersey.com or 908-707-3144.
HELP US TO “RAISE THE VILLAGE”
SECOND STREET YOUTH CENTER FOUNDATON INVITES YOU TO OUR
SILENT AUCTION
COME ENJOY A NIGHT OF MINGLING, MUSIC, DINING & FUN
DATE: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2008
TIME: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
HELD AT WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
427 DARROW AVENUE
PLAINFIELD, NJ 07060
TICKET PRICE $10.00 - (MEAL INCLUDED)
DOORS OPEN AT 6:30 PM
BIDDING OPENS AT 7:00 PM AND CLOSES AT 9:00 PM
A few exciting items to be auctioned are:
Elliott Lucca Pocketbook (from Lord & Taylor)
Hats from Bobs Place
Signed Art Piece by Alonzo Adams
Original (1 of a kind) Art Piece by Nick Nardo (a replica of our Resource Room Mural)
Plane Ride for 2 (two of these will be auctioned off) to a Waterfront Restaurant
in Montauk (the Hamptons) - meal not included
Transportation certificate for one way ride to the Airport (up to 6 people)
A Seasonal Basket of Goodies (Gourmet Items)
A Relaxation Basket ($50 Gift Certificate to Deltas Restaurant, white wine, red wine, 2 white wine glasses, 2
red wine glasses, books, cds, coffee & mug)
A Giants Sports Basket
Florentine & Pearl Tall Lenox Porcelain Vase
19" Flat Screen
also
Win a prize playing our children’s favorite game!
PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT THE SSYC TEEN RESOURCE PROGRAM
Contact Person: Darlene Snell, 732-418-5255 (day)
732-441-7085 (evening)
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