[KHTS] – Several buildings at Emblem Academy were without water Monday morning after a weekend robbery of the elementary school’s copper plumbing.
The school’s custodian was the first to realize the water was not working. He later discovered that main water valves and copper plumbing were removed, according to Emblem Academy Principal Jon Baker.
The administration building, 17 classrooms and 12 bathrooms were without running water until 11:00 a.m., said Baker.
In addition to the valves, 20 copper drain lines were stolen from the roof of one of the schools buildings, said Public Information Officer for the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Shirley Miller.
Baker said that maintenance crews worked quickly to bring in portable bathrooms for students and faculty to use while the plumbing was being replaced.
“We wanted to make sure that everything was operational,” Baker said. “We prepared ourselves for the day with portable bathrooms, extra hand sanitizer and bottled water.”
According to a 2012 report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, metal thefts across the country steadily increased beginning in August of 2009 because of rising base metal prices, especially copper.
“We have seen an increase. The stealing of valuable metal has become a cause for concern. Not just for our area, but in other areas as well,” Miller said.
“The metal is stolen and then sold to scrap metal facilities. It is melted down and then sold,” Miller said.
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25 Comments
Omg are u serious. I can’t believe how far can people go now days
Druggies
Agree
Yup
Inside job/ ghettooooo
In other countries this kind of stuff happens all the time. Even phones down because of the stolen wires. Is this what this country will come to? So so sad :(
People steal no matter what country
Just realized how old this pic is. That’s the way I remember that school when I attended it
Tweakers
Put in PVC then it won’t rot either.
Dayssy Nunez
The headline of this article is ridiculous. I know it states it within the story but no kids were left thirsty.
Very sad! But on a good note, well done and thank you to Mr Baker and team for their quick response in organizing porter potties, sanitizer and bottled water for students and staff, as well as informing the parents of the situation. What a start to the week!
You have GOT to be kidding. Hell in a handbasket, I tell ya.
Can’t imagine no one saw this – were the gates left unlocked? Junkers going around our neighborhood constantly (I live in Emblem tract)
The school is pitch black at night. It’s easy for someone to do their job of stealing and never be seen. I live up the street from the school. Plus, there’s often cars coming and going around the area, so it wouldn’t be odd to see a car there sometimes. Security only checks the place 1-2x a night for 5 minutes.
And that’s why ALL recycle places should have a ” hold ” time on the amounts of copper that gets brought in. These people steal it and take it and cash it in. Lame. Get jobs.
Cameras???
what a shame, no respect anymore
My god!!!!!
It’s sad what happened, but I’m not surprised. Consider the neighborhood and the type of students/parents who attend this school, especially those who came in during open transfer from worse parts of the SCV. Some parents are ex convicts. Some kids are real bullies. Sad for the rest of the decent students and parents who have to deal with them.
It’s awful that some people could stoop so low to steal from a school. Also maybe the school should have invested in a better surveillance security system instead of wasting $17,000 of PTA funds on an electronic billboard. Or the money could’ve been used for student enrichment programs like art, music, field trips, etc. I don’t get how money raised by students and parents get misused like that.
^^^ Shallow Comment ^^^
This happens all over the City, LA County and other areas, has nothing to do with the specific neighborhood. Has everything to do with quick easy access and a quick out.
Thanks Obama!
So Cal Guy:
The people who goto this school and live around the neighborhood suffer at the hands of the lowlife people I’m talking about. Read the comments from the other people who live here. Nothing shallow about what I’m talking about.