Heavy metal

Photo from National Capital Regional Intelligence Center information bulletin via Vienna, VA police department news release

The Washington, DC region is the latest to report the problem of hydrant and standpipe part thefts. An information bulletin went out today to area fire and police departments from the National Capital Regional Intelligence Center warning of thieves interested in a quick buck at the expense of the safety of others.

The bulletin talks about an arrest earlier this year in Montgomery County, MD of two Northern Virginia residents who had with them more than 100 caps and valves associated with fire department connections.

In recent days Prince William County, VA reported hydrant nuts being stolen. Word to STATter 911 is that arrests have already been made in that case.

Here is the summary from the bulletin:

Metal values have reached levels where many individuals have expanded the activity of scrap metal recycling into a criminal enterprise. Regular reports of individuals engaging in the theft of copper from various sources have become a routine part of local law enforcement crime reports. As many components of fire protection systems are made of copper, brass, and other metals, the purpose of this information bulletin is to make public safety personnel aware of the possible theft of these components. In the act of illegally removing these components, there is a real possibility for damage to occur to the fire protection system which could impede fireground operations and subsequently impact firefighter safety.