Delridge Playfield wire-theft followup: Repairs to cost up to $20,000

| Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(Photos courtesy Seattle Parks and Recreation)
Followup today on the huge copper-wire theft that has put Delridge Playfield out of commission for many events until further notice, as reported here last night. Today, Parks says its electricians estimate the repairs will cost up to $20,000 and take up to two weeks. They were at the parks today, as were police, trying to find out more about the theft of 1,200 feet of wire. An update from Parks today explains how it happened:

The copper wiring was accessed from the junction boxes under light poles around the perimeter of the field. After cutting the wires between each junction box, thieves brought in a vehicle (likely a truck), hooked up the wire to the vehicle and pulled out the wiring. Parks staff believe the theft was conceived and executed over several nights, as it appears other junction boxes with wire still inside were prepared for theft.

Parks’ update quotes acting superintendent Christopher Williams as saying, “This is a significant theft … and we want to catch the person or people who did it because this creates a needless expense for taxpayers and an unnecessary loss of playing time for park users. … We are asking anyone who is a neighbor to a Seattle Parks and Recreation ballfield to help us keep eyes on our parks. We need neighbors’ help to deter criminal activity.” Call Seattle Police if you have any information about the theft – or any time you spot suspicious activity. Parks also says you can report suspicious behavior to the Park Rangers’ office at 206-255-8325.

(One more reminder about crime concerns/trends in general – the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meets at 7 tonight, Southwest Precinct meeting room, SW Webster just west of Delridge Way SW.)

rcl April 16, 2013 (4:52 pm)

Sounds like some Meth heads from Lewis County..Where do they sell this stuff to? Can the junkyard that buys the wire, be in trouble for buying stolen goods? Do these yards collect names with ID for people trying to sell copper to them? (They should) –

Alki Area April 16, 2013 (5:20 pm)

Can’t we just arrest all of the metal recyclers in the metro area? Come on. When some meth head, clearly NOT a professional licensed contractor, pulls up in rusty pickup with a bed full of wires (clearly pulled from something) and they BUY this without question, put them in jail. The only reason folks steal this stuff is because of the incredibly unscrupulous buyers who don’t mind buying 2,000 pounds of wire obviously just yanked out of something. SIGH

Heather April 16, 2013 (5:32 pm)

This is just crappy.

Eric April 16, 2013 (5:32 pm)

When this type of crime happens, I always think of the rusty old pickup truck, that always sits in front of the Roxbury Safeway,with the spray painted sign saying will buy scrap metal. I always wonder how up and up that is

Ken April 16, 2013 (7:15 pm)

Perhaps an extra tax could be created for the metal recyclers? Use that tax to partially fund the repairs and replacement costs for what the thieves have destroyed. I bet all those unscrupulous buyers would change their purchasing habits rather quickly if faced with extra fees.

JayDee April 16, 2013 (7:24 pm)

Unless the thieves were really ballsy, they likely did work on the weekends and at night. Which should make them a tad more noticeable.
–
“Gee, a truck is stripping out 200-300 feet of wiring. On the weekends, at night. Pretty dedicated employees…but why would they be pulling wiring out…the lights worked fine.”
–
Surely someone saw them doing it.

kas April 16, 2013 (7:45 pm)

Feel for the kids whose practices and games are affected by the losers who did this.

Brian April 16, 2013 (8:03 pm)

The most infuriating part about all this is that there’s no way they got anywhere close to $20k for that wire.

kc April 16, 2013 (8:18 pm)

This is a sense less crime… where there not locks on the j boxes? not only to help slowly down this type of thing but to keep little fingers from playing where the shouldn’t be

Maybe the locks where just cut… locks will only keep honest people honest

Mike April 16, 2013 (8:21 pm)

@ Ken – Best suggestion I’ve heard yet. The metal salvage and recycle yards know who the losers are.

kam April 16, 2013 (8:42 pm)

They have a law just for that…………….. IMPORTANT NOTE: Effective July 23, 2007, a new State Law has been implemented and the following regulations are in effect: all scrap metal plants and recycling centers must have a valid ID for all purchases of scrap metals and we must get current address, phone number and license plate of customers. Individuals can receive no more than $30 cash per transaction, amounts greater than $30 will be paid by check with a 10 day hold. Businesses and employees or authorized agents of commercial accounts may be paid directly in full. Aluminum can purchases are exempt from this law.

Chris April 16, 2013 (10:15 pm)

Is that the answer to all our problems? Additional taxes and penalties on legitimate businesses ? Those suggesting this could not be more off base.

T April 17, 2013 (2:30 am)

So sad to see thugs ruining a community asset that only opened last year.

george April 17, 2013 (11:35 am)

Seems like a stakeout would have been a worthy option in this scenario.

rawkergrrrl April 17, 2013 (12:15 pm)

Seems like they should have been quiet about the discovery and set up surveillance to catch these idiots when they came back for the rest of the wire.

JB April 17, 2013 (2:59 pm)

The street lights on Delridge are out on the entire length of the block from Henderson to Trenton. I wonder if the wire is also missing for those?

Kayleigh April 17, 2013 (5:12 pm)

Chris, if the recyclers are buying what they know are stolen materials, they’re not legitimate businesses. Is no one making sure that 2007 law is being followed?

pilsner April 18, 2013 (6:19 am)

recycling places usually have you sign a disclaimer saying its not stolen, amongst other legal tidbits.

Rick Barrett April 18, 2013 (8:54 am)

This past weekend the new copper restroom roof was stolen from NorthAcres Park at N 130th and First Ave NE. Today I learned from Facebook that wiring was recently stolen from the “Maple Leaf construction site”, presumably at Roosevelt Way and 87th NE. Councilmember Sally Bagshaw may have been notified.
See https://www.facebook.com/bill.bradburd/posts/10200390450736622?comment_id=5325265&offset=0&total_comments=1
I expect to see many more copper thefts reported, it’s just too tempting to thieves, not just meth heads. It will be interesting to follow up on your post.

Rick Barrett April 18, 2013 (1:19 pm)

Correction. The NorthAcres Park restroom roof was not new, and only about a third of it was stolen. It’s right now being completely replaced with painted steel.

greg April 19, 2013 (3:29 pm)

Funny thing about the law to reduce “laundering” of stolen metal at recyclers- last time I went to the recycler in Georgetown, I walked out with over $80 in cash instead of the $30 max. Does someone need to inform SPD or the City?

Admiral Walker May 1, 2013 (11:50 am)

While walking across the Fairmount Ravine bridge last night, I notice a bunch of colored wire casings on the SE side of the bridge. The coloring on the casing is similar to the Delridge picture, so I am curious if the SPD have had any leads on the theft and if they have chatted with any of the encampments under the bridge.

Sorry, comment time is over.