Columbus announces effort to fight air-conditioner thieves | The Columbus Dispatch

Local companies that buy scrap metal won't buy any air-conditioner parts for the next 30 days, giving property owners time to mark their units with invisible ink.

[Approach Control]

Don't Steal...Scrapper thieves death penalty

[Robert]

Why just for the next 30 days? If serious about the problem, make it for ever unless the seller can provide evidence of ownership. Personally, I don't know any owner of an air conditioner who has sold any parts-that's the first test of ownership.

[Current PC]

Robert- we just had a new furnace put in and we let the installers have the old unit knowing they were going to sell it for scrap. People do come into these legally.

[tom the traveler]

With everyone at least having a safe link free cell phone, every legit metal recycler should be able to photograph where they get the copper and those photos need to be presented to the recycling center/scrap yards before the scrap can be accepted.

[tom the traveler]

Current PC wrote:

Robert- we just had a new furnace put in and we let the installers have the old unit knowing they were going to sell it for scrap. People do come into these legally.

Anyone who "recycles" air conditioners needs to photograph it and document where it came from before a scrap yard can accept it.

[exscrapper]

The solution is easy. No more spot payments at the scrap yard. Form of payment sent to an address five days later (at least). Anyone who legitimately scraps for a living or comes by material honestly (repairmen, plumber, etc.) would have no problem with this. Cuts out the guys looking to finance a quick fix and thereby eliminates most of the problem. If you are legitimately scrapping for a living, then you would have little trouble getting by for a week for the first five days only until the revenue starts coming in. Now remember, the police would have to ENFORCE the law in order to cut out the black market that might develop with middlemen and dishonest scrap yards. This proposed solution is no solution at all. Unless you write your name on every square inch of the AC unit, all a thief has to do is disassemble it and write their name on the parts he intends to scrap. What to do with the parts that have ink on them? Mix them in a load where they'll never be seen. Common sense and actual enforcement would go a long way here.

[Current PC]

tom the traveler wrote:

<quoted text>
Anyone who "recycles" air conditioners needs to photograph it and document where it came from before a scrap yard can accept it.

Okay. I'm not getting your point however. Robert's point was 'most' of the AC being turned in are stolen and I'm suggesting that is not so. I'm pretty sure these legit installers only have to prove once where they work at in order to turn in scrap.

[Thinker]

So where do we get this special invisible marking ink?

[blah blah blah]

I've already marked my unit with invisible ink. Just to be safe.

[Spooey]

Columbus is right on to[p of it, only a few months late this time.

[Sad but true]

Replaced my 30 yr. old system last fall. Instead of paying to have my system disposed of I chose to chop it up and separate the materials by value. Got $200 for the condensor, A-coil and furnace in total. Why pay when a handy person with some tools can do this?

Just another way the criminals scr*wed things up for the law abiding citizens that want to pocket their own cash.

But I guess some on here would be OK with paying for this service and telling me I can't keep my money.

[Ferguile]

I tried marking it with invisible ink, but I don't think it work. I couldn't see any markings.

[A Shrubbery]

Thinker wrote:

So where do we get this special invisible marking ink?

Why I'd be happy to sell you some invisible ink. I have a whole jar of it. The jar looks empty, but don't let that fool you!

[You Should Know]

This problem has been rampant for four years. Glad to see Mike Coleman and crew is right on top of it. He has been too busy trying to get a job in the Obama administration but was denied. Even they don't want him. Columbus is turning into another Cincinnati. A few more Somalian crooks and terroritst working the social services system should do the trick.

[Biggie BC]

Gert! It's gittin" hot in here! Turn on the AC!

PAW! I done got it on 66 and it still is like a hot furnace in here!

(Paw) Lemme' go outside and check the unit...WHAT THE HECK! THERE AIN'T NO UNIT! godallmightyy! Big Johnson's been at it agin around the nayborhood!

[GRUNT]

Better idea is to "accidently" let a bare wire carrying 110 or 220 brush up against the metal cabinet. Of course, the repairman would have to cut the power BEFORE opening it up. Would reduce Court Costs and room & board IF convicted!

[Clint]

Yep ...You can thank George Bush and his trickle down job theory with giving the George Bush Tax cuts to the wealthiest americans and Corporations which have produced no jobs and no taxes . Thank You , George !

[Ralph Mouth]

I would pick a house with an air conditioner and do a 24/7 undercover operation to apprehend these criminals. Let's buckle down and get these guys.

[Biggie BC]

Clint wrote:

Yep ...You can thank George Bush and his trickle down job theory with giving the George Bush Tax cuts to the wealthiest americans and Corporations which have produced no jobs and no taxes . Thank You , George !

You're right.

I believe in the "trickle up" theory. Give the money to the poor guy and let it trickle up to the rich guy.

[Spooktackular]

Clint wrote:

Yep ...You can thank George Bush and his trickle down job theory with giving the George Bush Tax cuts to the wealthiest americans and Corporations which have produced no jobs and no taxes . Thank You , George !

So tax cuts cause theft? I bet you are like Oprah blaming the spoon and advertising for fat kids.