In a city that once used to be the 4th largest in the nation, and for a recent period, the number 10 most populous, times have changed dramatically. Today, Detroit is under siege. The copper scrap army has moved into town and they’re not leaving until there is nothing left to melt. This problem is not unique only to Detroit. Other major cities all over the country such as, Baltimore, D.C., Philly, and Jersey are now reporting significant rises in the number of scrap related thefts. The problem might not be entirely a Detroit phenomenon but it is killing our city faster than anywhere else. The constant picking away and erosion of Detroit’s infrastructure is what’s holding this city back from making great strides as far as progress in the areas of neighborhood development, safety, and overall happiness of the people.

 

     

For years the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, along with a greater global demand for copper has driven the price per pound to almost $4.00. This intern has greatly reduced the supply, and thus creating an ever-revolving door of supply, demand, theft, and sale of the precious metal. In Detroit, copper is the new gold. This is the modern day equivalent to a 49er’s gold rush for the ambivalent and desperate. Void of morals and soul, these parasites of the night roam the city like zombies. Always looking to hustle and steal, these shifty characters are broken down into two main types: the professional, and the impoverished. Both breeds of scrapers are devastating the city with different methods of destruction.

The professionals are no doubt connected to the underworld of Detroit and its mob. In fact I would go as far to say that scrapping is possibly the most lucrative of the organized crimes taking place in the city today. Run like a military operation with detailed electrical plans, and precision techniques used to obtain the copper, professionals are looking to score big, no matter what. With the help of city workers who are suspected of supplying maps and details of electrical systems, they can estimate the weight of the copper lines used in the construction of the building. Detroit is virtually mapped out for scraping. Corruption, greed, and incompetence have infiltrated this city on every level, at every facet of Detroit’s city services and works departments. Its only logical to assume that if the blue prints are in the hands of the thieves, then someone downtown is giving them up for cash.

The impoverished of the copper thieves is not quite as interested in big scores like the pros, but more interested in getting what he needs for the day, or week, or however much time their bad habit may call for more cash. Usually the brighter and more motivated of the destitute will turn to scrapping.

 

     

  It is highly dangerous work without the protection and professional equipment; these types usually go for the less sophisticated targets. They are responsible for damages in untold millions worth electrical transformers, telecommunications, and electrical wires. Even aluminum siding from homes isn’t safe from scraping. Typically these thieves are not your general “crack head” or “hobo.” They are however hard working people, though be it illegal and immoral work. But like anything dangerous, lack of professional training and a desperate mindset will all most always result in injury. These types of scrappers are the ones you hear about in tragic news headlines. Usually about how they were trying to steal live electrical lines and paid the price of thievery with their lives. These reckless acts are not only putting the residents of Detroit at great risk, but also the lives of those tempted and lured into the life of easy money.
     
The city of Detroit has done virtually nothing over the past six years to stem the tide of this phenomenon. Though the city counsel has looked into and disguised the matter, still nothing has changed. A few raids here and there, a bust of an “after-hours scrap house,” and that’s pretty much it. As far as passing laws requiring the scrap yards to document their customers, and provide records of where the scraped metals came from…absolutely nothing! As far as going and rounding up the obvious suspects, you know…those guys you see everywhere with shopping carts and pick up trucks full of pipes, wire, and other oddities…NOTHING!!! It’s almost too hard to live here and watch as people who have completely betrayed your city, rob and rape her to a slow death. All the while the Detroit City counsel bickers and berates each other to the tune of multi-million annual budget. If these so called leaders can not get it together for the common goal of saving the city from certain erosion, we face a day where no one can make it happen; a city too far gone, and too damaged to attract even the most desperate of people to live, and work here. A future where city services compromise lives and property cannot be protected from mob rule.  
     
  If you happen to live in the vicinity of the Lee Plaza Hotel on West Grand Blvd. you have inevitably seen the damage done by scrapers to the rooftop of the once opulent hotel. Charred black and riddled with holes, the massive angled rooftop was decimated two summers ago by a gang of scrap thieves looking to cash in on the large copper roof. By lighting the wood beams on fire that supported the copper roofing, it softened and then they simply pounded off sheets from the interior sending them crashing onto the sidewalk below. Or lets say you are a resident of the Packard Inn Motel or the surrounding neighborhood on East Grand Boulevard, you might catch a glance of one of the many scrappers showing up for work. Work on the unauthorized removal of steel, aluminum and even some remaining copper wires abandoned on the historical Packard Automotive site. On recent visits and explorations through the Packard, members of OND have even witnessed pay offs to local law enforcement. Cops have been seen taking cash from scrap crews so they could continue work on the illegal demolition of the old automotive plant. This being a personal favorite place of mine it is hard to watch as thieves pillage the remains of the historic site.
     

Heist of copper from famous Detroit landmarks is coming all more commonplace. Last year the world famous Kronk Gym was so badly decimated it was forced to close its doors for good. Just down the road on McGraw, St. Andrews’ Church was broken in to and the tabernacle made of copper and gold was taken, likely to be sold for scrap. In our very own Eastern Market, thieves have made their mark over at the abandoned silos. This is where thieves take a night’s haul of wire to be burned and processed for the yard. When the thieves steal the wiring they still have to remove the insulation before they can cash it in. By taking it to the “burn yard” and melting off the plastic coating off, they can easily ready the wire for sale, as opposed to stripping each wire individually.

I first noticed the black smoke early in the mornings as I went to work downtown. Later I would start noticing it on weekends, during market hours, and then I would see scrap fires at night. The “Burn Yard” is a busy place. A line of scrapers anxious and ambitious to get paid for their illegal labors, form a line in the early morning hours. Where are the police? Where are the fire chiefs you ask? While officials are fully aware of the problem, apparently they are cool with monitoring the situation from as close as a block and a half away.

 
     

 

   The problem already so bad, Homeland Security has begun looking into providing federal funding to help. City officials and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy are in agreement that this is a serious issue needing emergency attention. The prosecutor and her office are backing senate bill 720. It would hold scrap dealers accountable just like pawnshops and junk stores. Under new laws, crimes of this nature would now be classified as felonies instead of misdemeanor offences. Even with legislation the problem will not go away, but will need its own set of industry investigators and prosecutors to handle all the felony cases that will rise from the new laws. Only once all these steps are in place and corruption is weeded out will the problem start to get better. Still, the best tactic is making communities aware of potential problems and giving them an anonymous and reliable outlet to report offenders.

Day by day, brick-by-brick and wire-by-wire, the history of this city is being systematically dismantled by an uncompromising army of criminals and common folk. Those who turn a blind eye to this senseless destruction are as much to blame as those doing the actual crime. From the cops taking bribes, to the city workers selling information. From the ignorant to the greedy, Detroit is facing its toughest struggle ever. It is a test of resolve to overcome the forces of human nature and insatiable industrial demand. Writing about this I can’t help but think of the Spirit of Detroit statue downtown. Bigger than life, beautifully crafted, and made of bronze, I sometimes wonder if this is why the big guy always cries for Detroit.