This is from Mesa PD:

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The entire valley is experiencing an increase in Metal Thefts. Although we often think of metal theft as copper from air conditioners or the catalytic converters being stolen, it can actually be nearly anything made of metal that can be removed. Some of the additional items we have seen stolen this year include:

 

bleacher seats from school sports fields,

storm drain covers and grates,

backflow valves,

drain pipes,

brass downspouts,

lightning rods, and pretty much anything else made of aluminum, copper, or brass.

 

The two most popular things being stolen right now are the backflow valves and copper wiring from our city's street lights. Both of these items are costing us tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Not to mention the safety issues for our residents. The theft of backflow valves often also mean that a business or residential area can be without water for several hours or even days.

 

We need you to be our eyes and ears and help us put an end to this type of theft. If you notice anyone, even if they appear to be in a work truck, "working" on a water meter valve or at the base of any street light pole or utility box, we need you to call the non-emergency number at (480) 644-2211 immediately and report it. Our Officers need to have the opportunity to verify if that person or persons are authorized personnel for that project. It's especially important that you call in all "workers" like this during the night hours. When calling in, please take note of the location and try to give us a good description of the vehicle (make, model, color, license plate, and/or identifying marks) and all persons (height, weight, hair, clothing, etc.) that are involved. Do Not confront anyone, go on by and call us from a safe distance away.

 

Don't forget to keep an eye on vacant properties and report all suspicious activity at them too! You can always Text us a Tip at Tip411, start your message with "mesapd", it's completely anonymous!

 

If street lights are out in your area, please call the Street Light Hotline at (480) 644-3191 and report the cross streets and closest address for the outage. You can also report these on-line at:

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=9kyorrcab&et=1104044447189&s=1806&e=001ox07rR-rzAioqSenORNqN28bgTGIDL_ldDkmT-NBavxv5hpJo-4QVoE5h5KKlWYPySs2V1qKCoQ0JgJfCZYvwHm46yUSyheaHP-U68c-mjJk1h2jum_JTw==> http://www.mesaaz.gov/transportation/streetlights.aspx <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=9kyorrcab&et=1104044447189&s=1806&e=001ox07rR-rzAiB0KHfxEtIwhuPBzexK8dVmTDrJPjP5Bkt-QglKk1OlBcRDEhNBNp8G0__kabiWbS6vAQ3oqQIthokwOFZ84MpkWxqkMeAILaCPt2ujX4FxFosZMqzmPOVzsujXgY7n_z8UiGXWP-AXnrqqMYSyk22> and click on the "Report a Problem" tab.