Messenger, Madisonville, July 13, 2012

Metal missing from Tech Center
By Doreen Dennis

Hopkins County School officials aren’t sure how much metal has been stripped from the Career and Technology Center by thieves.

“We have lost some copper out of the building in the last few weeks,” said Steve Gilliam, assistant superintendent of facilities and maintenance.

Gilliam said someone had gotten in the tech center during the night, and he’s not sure how much material has been taken or the specific dollar amount of the items taken as of Friday afternoon.

“Contractors are assessing the value,” he said.

Construction of the $10.5 million facility came to a screeching halt after contractors noticed cracks in the foundation caused by settlement over the reclaimed strip-mining land.

Contractors will restart work at the site soon to begin the $5 million remediation and stabilization process, Gill said.

He also has asked the Sheriff’s Office to increase patrols in the area.

Though the Sheriff’s Office is aware of the recent theft, a complaint hasn’t been filed yet.

Legislation adopted in Kentucky this year is designed to make it more difficult for thieves to sell stolen copper and other metal.

House Bill 390, which went into effect Thursday, requires secondary metal recyclers to utilize a registration system and undergo a background check.

In addition, payments for copper and other restricted metals must be paid by check only, and purchases must be recorded. Secondary recyclers also receive theft alerts from law enforcement.

Trooper Stu Recke said the Kentucky State Police Post 2 district receives numerous complaints about the theft of copper and other metal.

“Hopefully, the bill will help curtail the recent increase of thefts related to metals,” he said, “and lessen the damage to other peoples’ property to obtain the items.”