Repeated copper wire thefts have N.B. property flipper calling for change – New Brunswick

Repeated copper wiring thefts have set Jo-Anne Phillipps again between $35,000 and $40,000 on the renovation of her downtown Moncton revenue property.

Whereas clearing snow from the duplex on Friday, Phillipps seen the backdoor had been damaged open with a crowbar.

“All of the copper was stolen, from {the electrical} to nearly all the plumbing,” she advised International Information on Wednesday.

This was the second time thieves had struck, as she needed to name the police resulting from copper wire theft solely 5 days prior.

“They got here again after we changed {the electrical} to then take what we’d already put again in and no matter they’d left behind,” Phillipps stated.

She stated she was on maintain with the Codiac RCMP non-emergency line for hours following the second incident, resorting to exhibiting up in particular person at their workplace.

“The constable defined that usually in these conditions, the citizen ought to name, in order that they’ll meet us on the location, and I confirmed him my cellphone, that I used to be nonetheless on maintain,” she stated.

International Information reached out to the Codiac RCMP for touch upon Wednesday afternoon and didn’t obtain a response.

Phillips, whose firm has been renovating and renting out properties for 13 years, together with properties in Moncton’s downtown, stated she has by no means seen something like this.

“It was really actually unhappy when the scenario did happen. The cops weren’t shocked. The insurance coverage firm was not shocked. The electrician was not shocked. And never one of many recycle depots that I contacted was shocked,” she stated.

Phillipps has already spent $3,000 on a safety guard for her property for the reason that incident and is putting in safety cameras and an alarm system.

Whereas she is negotiating together with her insurance coverage firm on a partial reimbursement for the damages, she stated the added prices have pushed the overall value of the renovation to nearly half of the roughly $350,000 she bought the property for.

Phillipps stated she believes thefts have gotten more and more prevalent in Moncton’s downtown core and desires to see adjustments occur.

Recycle depots and salvage yards are overseen by the Division of Justice and Public Security.

A consultant for the division despatched International Information an announcement on Thursday saying it routinely inspects salvage yards to “guarantee compliance.”

“An announcement concerning proclamation of the Act to Amend the Salvage Sellers Licensing Act, which incorporates copper wire theft, is anticipated within the subsequent few weeks,” the assertion learn.

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