4 The Courier sun • JUNE 4, 2015 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com Schumer: Time to crack down on scrap metal theft BY ANGELA MATUA editorial@queenscourier.com/@AngelaMatua Following a commuting nightmare for A train riders last week caused by the theft of copper cable in Howard Beach, Senator Charles Schumer is pushing for legislation to crack down on scrap metal theft in New York. Several copper wire thefts have been reported in the last few years, including a 2013 incident in which more than 15 MTA employees working for the LIRR stole copper wire from a rail yard. According to the NYPD Transit and the MTA, there have been approximately 12 incidents of copper theft along the subway in 2015. Schumer’s plan would require that those who sell metal to recyclers have documentation to prove that they own the metal or are authorized to sell it. The legislation would also make it mandatory for recyclers to keep detailed records of their metal purchases and cap the amount at $100 in cash that recyclers can pay for scrap metal. According to a press release, the proposal would also make it a federal crime for people to steal metal from critical infrastructure. “It is time to put thieves who steal scrap metal from critical mass transit infrastructure, as well as homes and businesses, behind ironclad bars,” Schumer said. “Every ounce of copper or metal stolen from New York’s critical infrastructure could cause the next big commuter delay, a subway line suspension or even a disaster. That’s why this plan must be enacted—because it takes the cold-hard-cash incentive out of the metal theft equation and would deter metal thieves before they steal.” For sellers, only metal products that would likely be owned by government entities and properties would require documentation. For recyclers, the record Senator Charles Schumer wants to strictly regulate the purchase and selling of scrap metal in New York. keeping requirement would mandate that they keep the date of the purchase, description of the metal, the amount paid and the name and address of the seller. If recyclers want to pay more than $100 for metal, they would have to pay by check, money order or online. Photo courtesy of MTA New York City Transit / Marc A. Hermann “This proposal will safeguard New York families, schoolchildren, straphangers, business owners and first responders who are endangered by the stripped infrastructure, fires and financial losses that occur as a result of these crimes,” Schumer said. Cable theft causes A train shutdown in south Queens: MTA BY ROBERT POZARYCKI rpozarycki@queenscourier.com @robbpoz Limited service returned to the A line in south Queens on the morning of May 27 after crews worked to repair damage caused by the theft of nearly 500 feet of copper cables powering the tracks. According to the MTA, the train troubles were discovered at about 11:22 p.m. on the night of May 26, when a Manhattan-bound A train suddenly lost power just north of the Howard Beach-JFK Airport station. The MTA dispatched another train that pulled behind it, allowing some 150 passengers in the disabled train to safely walk back to the Howard Beach platform. Upon investigation, crews reportedly discovered that copper cables which supply power to the third rail were missing. Signals and other related equipment were damaged due to the interrupted electrical equipment. The cable theft caused a commuting nightmare during the morning rush hour on Wednesday, May 27. The A line was entirely shut down between Rockaway Boulevard and Broad Channel, and shuttle buses were brought in to transport thousands of affected riders to the nearest working subway stations. The MTA also noted the disruption made it impossible to dispatch trains stored at the Rockaway Park yard for morning rush hour service, thus reducing service along the entire A and C lines between upper Manhattan and Brooklyn. Some A trains were forced to terminate at Euclid Avenue in Brooklyn, the normal C train terminus. MTA crews made emergency repairs to restore limited service by about 10 a.m. on May 27, but the authority indicated the line would again be shut down tonight for further repairs. Shuttle buses will again replace A trains between Rockaway Boulevard and Broad Channel during the disruption. “This morning’s service disruption was directly caused by the theft of cable from along the subway right of way,” MTA New York City Transit President Carmen Bianco said in a statement. “We are working closely with the NYPD Transit Bureau to help them investigate this crime and identify the culprits responsible.” In the wake of the shutdown, Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder called for an immediate investigation and the MTA to beef up security along the A line. “Families in southern Queens and Rockaway have some of the longest commute times in the entire city. On a normal day, our roads, trains and buses are stretched to capacity. Outages like this have devastating consequences for families simply trying to commute to work or school,” Goldfeder said in a statement. “I am alarmed by reported security breaches along the A train and the failure to put in place effective alternative travel plans for our families. I demand a full investigation by the MTA to ensure that this never happens again.” Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Ad Meskens An apparent cable theft brought A train service to a halt in south Queens on the night of May 26 and into the following morning.
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