Scrap metal vandals scourge city

Flint's homes are losing precious value at breakneck speed because scrap metal thieves continue to plunder the city. While vacant homes are thieves' primary target, a temporary absence of homeowners or renters can also trigger an assault.

Dan Kildee, of the Center for Community Progress speaking at a recent conference with the National Crime Prevention Council, discussed the serious implications of abandoned and vacant property on the health of a neighborhood. He pointed out that a one percent increase in abandoned properties is linked to a 10 percent increase in criminal activity.

According to a study by the U.S. Department of Justice no single factor accounts for the rise in scrap metal theft. Instead, a combination of high demand for metal on the international market, increased opportunities for offenders to target places and weak regulation of the metals' resale market have coincided to increase the scrap metal theft problem nationwide.

"They are stealing so much value out of vacant homes that it is ridiculous," said Douglas Weiland, executive director of the Genesee County Land Bank. "We haven't been able to quantify the cost of the damage but I can tell you that we have lost literally hundreds of homes that potentially could have been put back into service. The cost of having to replace all the mechanical systems, pipes, fixtures, siding and then have to put new drywall up where they smash into the walls for the copper is prohibitive."

According to Weiland, about one in four abandoned homes in Flint are owned by the Land Bank. New foreclosures occurring in April will undoubtedly mean that number will be going up. Currently the Land Bank owns 5,383 properties in Flint. Of these, 3,271 are vacant residential lots and 1,861 are residential.

Landlord Aaron Dionne owns 30 houses in Flint.

"At least half of my houses were vandalized. Scrap metal thieves back their trunks into driveways in broad daylight and steal siding," Dionne said. "I'm sick of it. I've been posting video of the aftermath of these thugs on YouTube and e-mailing the links to Mayor Dayne Walling and Channel 12 news."

"I videotaped one perpetrator for 45 minutes before the police showed up. I was happy they cuffed and put him in their vehicle, but was sad to learn later that he was only in custody for an hour or so. I was told that because of lack of police and because there is no city jail to house the thief, the only thing that happened was a ticket for a court appearance was issued," Dionne said.

"I'm a member of the Genesee Landlord's Association and we're working with the Sheriff's Depatment to put some heat on the scrap yards. Flint Police so far have offered zero help," he said.

"Any alert person should question the origin of copper or aluminum building material when an individual arrives at the scrap yard by bicycle or on foot day after day with a bucket or backpack full of wiring, copper plumbing or aluminum siding," Dionne continued.

"Within the city limits the individual is supposed to show a building permit.  The scrap yards turn a blind eye because they make so much profit on these items," he said.

Mike Tobias, chairman of Downtown Weed and Seed, also owns rental property in the city.

"I've been robbed five times," Tobias said. "Each time thieves took copper piping and metal including two water meters. I had to replace the water meters at a cost of $500."

Rob Gill, president of the Potter Longway Neighborhood Association, said scrap metal thieves won't stop stealing until they have no place to sell their stolen metal. Right now, scrap yards in the city are buying.

"My neighbor went to the scrap yard to redeem his stolen goods. The scrap yard owner said he paid $98 for the items my neighbor said would take over $15,000 to replace," Gill said.

According to Gill, scrap yards are buying stolen metal even with the new law that went into effect in April 2009 intended to solve the problem.

"The law requires scrap metal dealers to maintain records of the items they buy from sellers," Gill said. "Sellers must show a state identification card and can be asked for a thumb print. They are required to sign a statement saying they are the owner of the metal or authorized to sell it and that they have not been convicted of metal theft."

Penalties for knowingly buying or selling stolen scrap metal, a felony, include up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000 or both.

Gill suggests forming a task force to combat the scrap metal scourge.

"We need to get serious and put pressure on government," Gill said. "The city should be looking for grants that would fund an officer to inspect scrap yards and fine them if stolen property is discovered."

David Caswell of the Citizen's Nuisance Task Force said, "We told the city attorney that we were considering state legislation to deal with the junk yards. We need a stronger state law to stop what the scrap metal thieves and scrap yards are doing."

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