Property Armor

The cat is out of the bag, or should I say the Cat Burglar is out of the bag. In my opinion, copper theft is here to stay even after the economy recovers. The recent copper theft epidemic has opened the eyes of criminals to a brand new avenue of making money. This knowledge will simply not disappear after the economy recovers. In times past, air conditioner theft did occur, but was typically focused on re-selling the unit to a contactor who then installed it into another home at a dirt cheap price. You needed a shady outlet to get rid of it. Now, the untraceable copper in the A/C units can be taken to virtually any scrap yard and turned into quick cash. That spells trouble for anyone who has a costly investment just sitting outside their residence or business. To make things worse, the problem has not stopped at copper, it has involved numerous other metals such as brass and aluminum. The brass fittings of the Backflow Prevention Valves that are being stolen are leaving people with tremendous water damage as a result. Property Armor has just completed work on a medical facility who had several of their brass valves stolen. This resulted in a weekend of constant water running into the building. The damage was so severe that most of the expensive equipment that was sitting on the ground was ruined. Look close and you will notice that quite a few of these valves are suspended over the ground with two pipes. Look even closer and you may realize that the pipes are often PVC. Not real strong, and can be simply kicked and broken. A Criminal could care less if they get wet and leave water gushing out. My advice for the New Year is to resolve not be a victim. Don’t take the chance of leaving these items exposed because the damage is to costly. Property Armor has been in business since 2003 and deals with these situations on a daily basis. To learn more about the ongoing copper theft problem, the available solutions, as well as browse through a gallery of recent projects, visit the Property Armor website at www.propertyarmor.net

Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward in connection with a recent theft of air conditioning units. Sometime during the week of February 12, 2007 some stole 3 air conditioning units from The Deuce Bar at 302 Morgantown Road. At least two persons are suspected in removing the installed ten ton unit and (2) five ton units from the business. The theft and damage is estimated at $30,000. NOTE: This crime would have taken quite some time. Authorities are hoping someone may have seen a vehicle at/or leaving the scene.

Source: http://www.bgky.org/crimestoppers/cotwdetail.php?id=210

   Has really come down to this? Are people actually stealing Air Conditioners right outside your bedroom window? You better believe it. Actually, you can almost count on it.

   It comes down to two simple factors really. The need for money and the relative ease in which your air conditioner can be stolen. Whether it’s someone looking for drug money or an otherwise honest person looking for ways to keep the rent paid, the desire for quick cash will always be the main motivation for copper theft.  While getting a snack during a commercial, your comfort and thousands of dollars could simply disappear. How often do you think about your outside condenser? I bet you rarely even notice it unless your going around it while cutting the grass. Point is, these criminals can throw you’re A/C unit in a truck and be gone long before you even notice it is missing. Most likely, it will be the fact that the inside temperature is changing that prompts you to investigate rather than the absence of your unit.

   Air conditioning systems are one of the most expensive purchases you will make for your home. They can range from $3500 to over $10,000 depending on size and efficiency. Keeping your investments safe has now become a top priority. Even as law enforcement create task forces and scrap yards tighten regulations, legitimate middle men also get involved because of the easy cash. No matter the obstacles, there will always be a market for the valuable copper in you’re A/C unit. Robert Michell of Property Armor says “If your not protected, you’re a target.” He explains how the security products from Property Armor have seen a tremendous increase in sales over the past few years. “Our Air Conditioner Cages had to be isolated from our mainline HVAC products due to the demand. We sold A/C cages for years, but were mainly for damage and debris. They were to help protect apartment complex A/C units from damage as they were used for second base for the kids” 

    Things are different in tough times. The focus now is to protect your Air Conditioner from getting in the hands of a crook who will strip the untraceable copper from it and sell it for pennies on the dollar. These thieves do not discriminate. They do not pick one neighborhood over another because of aesthetics, it is all about speed. Your nice home with two A/C units, in a subdivision where it is likely unoccupied due to the need for two incomes is far more attractive than a rough area where neighbors are out talking over fences and looking for employment. Michell says “Businesses and Churches have been especially hit hard because they are predictably unoccupied. Imagine a commercial building, a lot of large A/C units, and a good chance nobody will be back until Monday morning. This is enough to make any copper crook drool, and it is exactly what they are looking for. Protect your unit with a cage and make the thief go elsewhere. Again, this game is all about speed. An Air Conditioner Cage takes this important factor away from the enemy”.

    The solution is simple. Be Pro-Active and protect your unit. There are several designs to choose from but keep in mind the objective, you are not simply trying to decorate your unit, you are protecting it. When considering an Air Conditioner Cage, Property Armor suggests that you do your homework. “Look closely at the pictures and ask questions. We compete against cages that have only three sides, no top, spray paint, etc. We have seen an increase in the people who are starting businesses that make Air Conditioner Cages.” says Michell “They are not to complicated if you have the equipment, the difference is in the quality and the details. We recommend that you check out the company before you purchase. Keep in mind, a $500 website can make you look as big and established as you wish , which can often be misleading. We actually won one bid because the other “Company” did not want to issue a receipt because he did not want his boss to know he was doing work on the side out of his garage”. As with any purchase for your home, it’s best to keep your guard up…no pun intended.

    To learn more about the problem of copper theft, the solutions available to combat this epidemic, or to simply browse through other articles and pictures, visit www.propertyarmor.net