earch the news for "copper theft" and look through the headlines. LOOK. Why are there so many stories? Stealing wire to sell the copper? From a cell tower? What is this, the Great Depression?

Reports from the Department of Energy estimate that copper theft is responsible for $1 billion worth of damage every single year. The problem is so rampant that there's a coalition to prevent copper theft. State laws are being passed left and right, requiring close monitoring of all copper sales. What gives? It's the economy, stupid.