Copper thieves strike Y.O.U.T.H., others

Y.O.U.T.H. program director Andrea Pikas points out the missing wiring and control boxes that were cut and stolen.

NORTHEAST HOUSTON– Copper thieves stuck again last weekend in the Aldine Mail Route area, and several businesses found themselves without power.
Y.O.U.T.H. has not been able to use their main building for a week, since the wiring in their outside panel box was cut and taken in two successive thefts last Saturday and Sunday, according to director Shawna Roy.
CenterPoint Energy indicated to Roy that a continuing problem has existed in this area for many months. Other establishments that have had their copper stolen, either from electrical boxes or air conditioners, include the Sheriff’s substation, MacDonalds, and St. Leo’s Church on Lauder Road. Authorities said that a shopping strip center beside Y.O.U.T.H. also had their wiring stolen at the same time last weekend. In an email to her board and friends, Y.O.U.T.H. Exec. Dir. Sylvia Boling said “I propose that we do something as a community to make everyone more aware of the number of incidences in our area.”
In the meantime, Y.O.U.T.H. continues to serve its clients and students by crowding into the two buildings still powered.