Yet another home is under construction in Gravesend on Avenue W between East 2nd and East 3rd Streets. On Saturday, there were no workers or penetrating screams of equipment. The building sat quietly waiting to be finished; perhaps quietly waiting to be broken into.
Tucked into a window was a yellow square of paper with a handwritten note reading, “Warning: we are not responsible if you get killed when steeling from us.” On the door is taped another message, “No Metal.” Whether an intentional playful pun, or poor spelling, referring to the apparant thievery as “steeling” is fitting.
“I know that metal can be sold, but it seems crazy to break into a building under construction just to get some,” said a local resident.
Well it may not be as crazy as it may seem. In the beginning of April, copper was trading for nearly $4 dollars a pound.
Metals theft is a problem accross the country. The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. has recognized the problem and is working to combat and prevent incidents.
While metal seeking criminals remain active, felt-tip penned warnings of possible death will try to keep them at bay.